page_title: Tourism in the Palestinian territories
section_title: West Bank
hierarchical_section_title: Tourism in the Palestinian territories / Major sites / West Bank
caption_attribution_description: English: Christmas in Manger Square, 2006. I took this picture myself.
context_page_description: Tourism in the Palestinian territories refers to tourism in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. In 2010, 4.6 million people visited the Palestinian territories, compared to 2.6 million in 2009. Of that number, 2.2 million were foreign tourists while 2.7 million were domestic. In the last quarter of 2012 over 150,000 guests stayed in West Bank hotels; 40% were European and 9% were from the United States and Canada. Major travel guides write that "the West Bank is not the easiest place in which to travel but the effort is richly rewarded."
  The Palestinian Authority and Israeli tourism ministries have attempted to work together on tourism in the Palestinian territories in a Joint Committee. Recent cooperation to share access to foreign tourists has not proven successful in Palestine for many reasons. Israel controls the movement of tourists into the West Bank. Palestinian tour guides or transportation companies have not been able to enter Israel since 2000, and in 2009, Israel's Ministry of Tourism deleted the West Bank and any Palestinian area from its materials.
context_section_description: East Jerusalem - Serving as a focal point for the Abrahamic religions of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, East Jerusalem is rich with religious tourist destinations, including the Old City, the Mount of Olives and Kidron Valley.
  Within the Old City, which is traditionally divided into four quarters: the Armenian Quarter, Christian Quarter, Muslim Quarter and Jewish Quarter, sights include the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Temple Mount (known in Arabic as Haram ash-sharīf, the Noble Sanctuary), the Dome of the Rock, Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Western Wall, and many others. Hours could be spent exploring the streets, sights, and shops of the Old City. The Old City was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981.
  Bethlehem - Second only to Jerusalem in importance as a tourist destination, it is the birthplace of Jesus as described in the Gospels of the New Testament. Although Christians once had been 85% of the population in 1947, their numbers have declined to about 40% by 2005. Bethlehem also has significance as a Jewish religious site since King David was born here and the Matriarch Rachael is buried in Bethlehem. Tourism is Bethlehem's main industry and there are over 30 hotels. One travel guide points out that "to get the most out of your visit it's best to stay overnight-accommodation and food are both cheaper here than what you'll get in Jerusalem" In the first eight months of 2012 about 700,000 international tourists visited the city.  Bethlehem was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2012. International popularity has resulted in fifty four cities in twenty seven countries becoming twinned (Sister Cities) with Bethlehem.
  Church of the Nativity -  A church built over the cave that tradition marks as the birthplace of Jesus of Nazareth. It is believed that it is the oldest Christian church still in daily use and a popular attraction sacred to both Christians and Muslims. 60,000 Christian pilgrims visited the Church of the Nativity during Christmas 2007.
  Shepherd's Field - Just outside Beit Sahour, the field is said to be where Jesus's birth was announced to a group of shepherds.
  Manger Square - A city square in the center of Bethlehem that takes its name from the manger where Jesus was born.
  Solomon's Pools - A prominent site in the al-Khader area, named after King Solomon.
  Salesian Cremisan Monastery - A winery as well as an active Christian convent in the suburb of Beit Jala.
  Jericho - The Biblical city is believed to be one of the oldest in the world. With its proximity to the Dead Sea, Jericho is the most popular destination among Palestinian tourists. Tourism increased by nearly 42.3% in the first three quarters of 2008 as crossing between areas under PA control and Israel became less restricted.
  Hebron - A holy city in Judaism and Islamic tradition, and the place where the Tomb of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs is located. According to the tradition, this is the burial place of the great patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) and matriarchs (Sarah, Rebecca, and Leah). It was also the capital of the Kingdom of Israel before King David moved it to Jerusalem.
  Nablus -  Nablus is considered the commercial capital of the West Bank. It is known for its old city and its furniture trade.
  Ramallah - Administrative and cultural capital of the West Bank, Ramallah is known for its religiously relaxed atmosphere and the cafes along its main streets.
  Jenin - 4000-year-old city in the north West Bank
caption: Christmas Eve 2006 in Manger Square in Bethlehem.
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