TOKYO: While Palestine has had to battle with its neighbor as well as fighting COVID-19 in recent times, it has continued to develop a strong tourist program, particularly in conjunction with Japan.

Japan has supported Palestine with help in several tourist projects, including building a canopy to cover the floor of the mosaic of Hisham’s Palace, which is the largest mosaic in the world.

Palestinian Minister of Tourism Rula Ma’ayah visited Tokyo last week with a delegation of 14 people representing various tourism organizations in Palestine. They met Japanese officials and participated in the sessions of the Tourism Promotion Seminar in Tokyo.

The seminar was also attended by Palestinian Ambassador to Japan Waleed Siam, as well as a large number of Japanese travel and tourism agencies, members of the media, representatives of the Japanese Travel Agents Association, a number of official guests and the ambassadors of Jordan and Egypt.

There was also a delegation representing the Palestinian private tourism sector from the Holy Land Tourism Association, Al Wafida, the Palestinian Hotel Association, and the Network of Alternative Tourism Organizations.

Ma’ayah spoke about the important historical, religious, archaeological and natural attractions of Palestine that makes it an important destination for tourists from around the world. She was keen for travel agents in Japan to learn more about the programs offered by tourism agencies and to work on organizing tourist trips to Palestine.

Ambassador Siam referred to the historical relationship with Japan and the Japanese people’s interest in visiting Palestine and learning about life there. He also mentioned the importance of dealing with tourism offices and staying in Palestinian hotels and cities, which, he said, contributes to supporting the economy.

The head of the Inbound Tourism Association, Michael Awad, and Rami Kassis, a representative of alternative tourism, gave a presentation on the reality and components of tourism, and the programs and activities offered by Palestinian tourism agencies.

On the sidelines of the conference, Ma’ayah met with the President of the Japanese Travel and Tourism Offices Association, Shimura Tadashi, and presented a picture of the tourism situation in Palestine and the tourism patterns and programs pursued by the tourism offices.

She emphasized the importance of introducing the 1,100 members of Japan’s tourism offices to the attractions of tourism in Palestine and its unique potential.