TOURISM SECTOR IN PALESTINE: PROFILING VISITOR CHARACTERISTICS IN NABLUS AND RAMALLAH

Abstract

This study focused on identifying the visitors’ profile of two Palestinian cities, namely,
Nablus and Ramallah, and investigating the biographical characteristics of visitors and their
motives for visiting the two Palestinian cities. Moreover, this research adopted a quantitative
methodology using questionnaires as study instrument. A total of 202 tourists participated in
this research, comprising foreign and Arab tourists, who had been targeted through English
and Arabic questionnaires, respectively. Major findings revealed that the majority of the
tourists visiting both Palestinian cities during the study period were from European countries,
relatively young (with age range of 25–34 years) and had visited the two cities for meetings,
incentives, conferences and events purposes. Therefore, political stability in Palestinian areas
was recommended to increase and encourage tourists to visit the State of Palestine. Profound
implications for Palestinian authorities were also provided to enhance effort in encouraging
visitors and allow diversity in Palestinian services.