On Thursday 30 September and Saturday 2nd October, Sabeel organized two trips for Palestinian tour guides who are developing twelve new and creative itineraries of Jerusalem and the West Bank for when tourists and pilgrims begin visiting again. The goal is to introduce tourists and pilgrims to Palestinian narratives and to Palestinian traditional stories about flora, fauna, archeology, water springs, food, and other culture. The tour guides visited seven neighborhoods where the original families of Bethlehem lived and how they are connected.
The other itineraries range from: visiting communities in Jerusalem who are an integral part of the social fabric of the city, presenting the unique stories of communities behind each of the gates of the Old City of Jerusalem, visiting natural reserves in the West Bank, to presenting cities and towns from the perspective of women.
In partnership with the German organization Deutscher Verein vom Heiligen Lande (DVHL), Sabeel has been creating a brochure to assist tour guides in developing itineraries that will help pilgrims and tourists learn about Palestine and Palestinian history. Close to 300 Palestinian guides from Jerusalem and the West Bank have already followed the itineraries in the last few months. After finalizing the brochure, Sabeel will promote it with travel agencies and group tourist leaders.