Urban heritage and its role in the development of the tourism sector: a model of two cities -Hebron and Bethlehem, Palestine

摘要

Urban heritage has an important status in the process of developing the Palestinian tourism sector. Urban heritage differs depending on the regions and historical cities such as Jerusalem, Hebron, and Jericho among others. Within this framework, the Palestinian National Authority (PA), based on its new schemes and strategies, seeks to activate an economic, cultural, social, and tourist role in maintaining heritage through preserving and rehabilitating sites and buildings. In addition, PA seeks to find suitable solutions to financial projects, restore, and cherish this valuable historical heritage. The research aims at highlighting the importance of urban heritage in the cities of Hebron and Bethlehem that abound in historical and tourism elements especially the urban heritage represented in the old city, al-Qasaba, historical walls, and others. Moreover, the research seeks to highlight the most important weaknesses from which this sector suffers. Finally, this research paper attempts to find successful solutions to maintain and raise the value of heritage and to appreciate its effective role in the tourism sector.