Tourism culture in Gaza improves by 19%

Gaza\'s children swiming in a pool The tourism sector in Gaza has recently flourished, according to recent figures released by the Ministry of Tourism. The number of tourism buildings – hotels, resorts, restaurants and nightclubs has risen by 19% in the last two years.
Tourism general manager Rizk el-Helw said that he ensured communication was maintained with all tourism buildings owners, trying to understand the most important problems and obstacles that they are facing. This, he said, would ensure the growth of the tourism sector in the Gaza strip.
The occupation has not been favourable to local tourism in Palestine. Economical restrictions in the strip as well as the separation between the Palestinian lands made it difficult for tourism to proper. This has caused a loss of about 20 million dollars for the Palestinian tourism sector.
The Palestinian ministry of tourism has announced the launch of a guide listing all the places to visit in Gaza. The strip is - according to Dr Mohamed Khela one of the ultimate destinations on sea shore.
Specialists confirmed that investment projects witnessed by the strip every summer take part in refreshing the Palestinian economy which already has been destroyed by the occupation.
Gaza inhabitants are more used to traveling locally because of the frequent closing of Rafah crossing. The bad economic conditions also prevent Palestinian people from travelling abroad.
The manager of tourism sector Rizk el-Helw said that Gaza inhabitant\'s culture towards the tourism sector is in progress, despite the bad situation in Gaza.
The manager of information sector said that his ministry worked hard to fund tourism projects in private sectors. He pointed out that there are several obstacles against tourism including the occupation which prevent equipment and tools from entering Gaza.
Minister of Tourism Agha invited the world to support tourism sector in Palestine with all means of support. He appealed to all international institutions, Arab League and Unesco to support Palestine in order to end the occupation to free Palestinian tourism.
Park owner Mohamed Akl said that the number of visitors could reach 40, 000 visitors and that he had to build an extension in order to receive more tourists.
Economics expert Dr. Moen Ragab said that internal tourism is bringing money to its owners and to the government. He explained that the effects of investment projects are still limited as the visitors are mostly Gaza inhabitants.
The expert urged the Palestinian government to establish more tourism projects in order to create jobs and which would be favourable to a good economical climate.
The tourism sector in Gaza made 40 million dollars last year thanks to marine and offshore activities, resorts, parks and gardens.