Jericho’s UNESCO-listed prehistoric site sparks tourism hopes
Jericho, a historic city nestled in the occupied West Bank, is gearing up for a tourism revival following UNESCO’s declaration of a prehistoric site, Tell al-Sultan, as a World Heritage site. This ancient site, revealing evidence of community life dating back approximately 10,000 years, has ignited Palestinian hopes of a tourism boom.
Despite its historical significance, Tell al-Sultan remained relatively unknown until it gained international recognition in September when UNESCO added it to its prestigious World Heritage List. Jericho’s residents celebrated this momentous achievement with fireworks, fully aware of the potential to transform their city’s fortunes.
Jericho Mayor Abdulkareem Sider expressed his optimism, stating, “For the first time, I felt that there was justice in the world.” He believes that this recognition will lead to a significant increase in tourist arrivals.
Jericho boasts a treasure trove of ancient sites, including the extensive mosaics of Hisham’s Palace, a site that Palestinian officials hope will be the next to secure a UNESCO listing. Additionally, the Mount of Temptation, where Christians believe Jesus struggled with Satan for 40 days, and various other biblical sites are scattered throughout the landscape.
However, despite these cultural riches, visitor numbers have remained modest. In contrast to Bethlehem, with 221,377 hotel guests in the first half of the year, the Jericho area welcomed only 32,535 visitors during the same period, according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.
One Chinese tourist visiting Tell al-Sultan admitted that she had no prior knowledge of the ancient site, as it was included as part of a bus tour to a nearby restaurant.
Despite the UNESCO announcement, Tell al-Sultan currently lacks adequate signage explaining its historical significance. Some, like American student Maddie Oto, believe improved labeling is necessary for accessibility. Oto remarked, “You have to come here with a guide, to learn the things that we’re learning.”
Mohammed Mansour, responsible for developing Jericho’s archaeological sites, acknowledges these shortcomings but assures that improvements are in progress, thanks to funding from Italy. Plans include a new museum, a visitor walkway, and site protection measures.
However, the city faces challenges in promoting tourism due to the inability to issue tourist visas. While neighboring Jordan is visible from Tell al-Sultan, the nearby crossing is controlled by Israel, which has occupied the West Bank since the Six-Day War of 1967.
Tourists often visit Jericho as part of broader tours led by guides with Israeli licenses, leading them to mistakenly believe they are in Israel rather than the Palestinian territories.
Despite these challenges, Jericho also attracts visits from Israeli Arabs, descendants of Palestinians who remained on their land after Israel’s establishment in 1948. Visitors like Shadia Dahamshi from northern Israel are captivated by the beautifully restored Hisham’s Palace, funded by Japan.
The mayor of Jericho aspires to enhance the visitor experience by illuminating the ancient sites for nighttime tours and encouraging tourists to explore more of the Jordan Valley. He envisions developing tours of the date palms surrounding the city and walking trails through the valley. Tourists can also explore the Jordan River, the Dead Sea, and indulge in local cuisine.
Mayor Sider concludes, “Jericho is the oldest city in the world, so it’s the right for all people to visit.” The UNESCO listing has set the stage for Jericho to share its rich history and culture with the world.