The Holy Land (Palestine & Israel) offer way more than its historical and religious sites! This region is rich with great culinary experience, nature, community and culture. During the last decade, ecotourism has been growing significantly, tourists visiting the country start inquiring and touring the some of our Ecotourism sites in general. This phenomenon is tied to the growth of the environmental movement, especially since the awareness within the community has increased in helping to preserve the environment.
The diverse habitats cover five eco-zones: the central highlands, the semi-coastal region, the eastern slope, the Jordan Valley, and the coastal region. Climate is moderate with mild winters and warm, dry summers in most areas, but this is also variable within rather short distances. Snowy Mount Hermon in the Golan Heights is barely 100 miles away from the semi-tropical climate in the Jordan Valley. to the lowest point on earth in the Dead Sea region at 400 meters below sea level. Rainfall is between 1,000 mm in the highest mountains to less than 50 mm in arid regions. Temperatures also vary from freezing to over 40°C during the summer months in the Judea dessert areas.
Eco-tourism in the Holy land has a vast variety of environment sites and areas that covers mainly; Flora’s characteristic trees such as Olives, oaks and Pistacia. This creates diverse habitats for animals that include over 500 species of birds, over 100 mammals, over 100 reptiles, and thousands of species of invertebrates. Thus, the Holy Land is a treasure for nature lovers, and its many trails provide ample opportunities to observe, enjoy, and photograph not only stunning nature views but also plants and animals. Ecotourism is a logical blend choice to the tourist visiting the religious sites, considering the beauty of the landscape.
Tourist can enjoy the experience of a local culinary or accommodation with the local community by staying or eating at their houses. In addition to many nature and beauty reserved park and waterfalls to many trails that the tourist can experience. Furthermore, tourist can join in many Eco-tourism activities such as the tree planting or the harvest of many fruits’ oranges, cherry, apples and olives. Moreover, to observe the verity of bird and animal watching in many areas.
Rami Zeidan
TIES Chapter Head of Palestine
Rami Zeidan, CHT/CHE
Born and raised in Jerusalem, I hold with me over 26 years of professional experience in the fields of (Hospitality & Tourism) and (Hospitality Vocational Education and Training) in addition to Sales & Marketing expert.
I Hold a degree in Hospitality & Tourism Management from Bethlehem University in addition to special managerial internship program at the Sheraton Burlington Hotel in Vermont- USA. I am a Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE) & a Certified Hospitality Trainer (CHT) by American Hotel Association-EI, USA.
Currently am on unpaid leave from the Notre Dame Center due to COVUD-19. Thought till April 2020, I held a full-time position as the Dean of the Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center – Hospitality Education & Training College, & The School Hostel and applied restaurant. I own & manage a family home-base-business in Jerusalem Traveller Experience Tours www.travellerexperience.com “Inbound tours to the Holy Land & Outbound world packages”), Furthermore, I am a managing partner at DIYAFA-HMC (Hospitality Management Consultancy company).
Throughout my career-path, I held several managerial positions in the Tourism & Hospitality Industry; Started as a Senior Sales Manager for the Marriott International Hotels GSA office in Jerusalem, to holding the Sales & Public Relations Manager at Jacir Palace Intercontinental hotel-Bethlehem, moved to be the Regional Sales Manager of the Marriott International GSA in Jeddah KSA. In year 2002 I was hired to run both the Food & Beverage and Marketing departments at the Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center, 150 rooms Guest House & Conference center, while in 2005 I moved to the vocational college started as the Head of Academic Affairs and currently the DEAN at the Notre Dame Hospitality Education and Training College and running The School Hostel that belongs to the college.
On the other hand, I am a board member of the Holy Land Incoming Tour Operators Association, board member of SKAL International in Jerusalem, board member of the YMCA Int’l East Jerusalem, Member of (Travel.Shop.Turkey) and TIES-Global Ecotourism.
Note : since a year am on the unpaid leave due to COVID-19 and the seize of the Notre Dame Center including the Vocational college.
April 20, 2021