Pilgrimage tourism to Palestine: the 'Come and See' initiative in Palestine
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Rami K. Isaac [1]
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[1] Breda University of Applied Sciences
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- Localización: Pilgrims: Values and identities / Darius Liutikas (ed. lit.), 2021, ISBN 9781789245653, págs. 188-200
- Idioma: inglés
- Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
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Resumen
This chapter explores the 'Come and See' phenomenon that is gaining ground in Palestine, targeting the pilgrimage market. Under the slogan of 'Comes and See', many initiatives such as Kairos Palestine, the Alternative Tourism group (ATG), the Holy Land Trust and Siraj Center in Palestine urge Christians in the whole world to continue their pilgrimage to the land of the Bible, despite the situation of continued political tension, in order to receive 'a message of faith, hope and love' and in order to 'know the facts and the people of this land', Palestinians and Israeli alike. In addition, this chapter explores the motives and different experiences of these pilgrims visiting Palestine and Israel. This study reveals that alternative tours can be seen as tours that have interaction with the local community and teach about the historical and political situation of a certain destination. In the West Bank, the demand for and supply of these themed tours is growing, due to the various initiatives that also included the 'Come and See' experience. Several organizations offer tours which show tourists and pilgrims alike the political situation and conflict on different locations. From the different interviews it can be concluded that there are multiple reasons why pilgrimage and tourists travel to the West Bank.
