Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand
Today, on World Tourism Day, the Palestine Forum of New Zealand joins the global community in celebrating the values of travel, cultural exchange, and the right of all peoples to share their heritage with the world.
Palestine is home to some of the world’s most cherished cultural treasures and countless historic villages and holy places. For generations, people of all faiths and nations visited Palestine to walk its ancient streets, taste its cuisine, and meet its warm and resilient people.
Yet, for millions of Palestinians, tourism is not possible. The ongoing military occupation, the siege of Gaza, the annexation of land, and the denial of the Right of Return to Palestinian refugees mean that the simple act of welcoming visitors or travelling freely is denied. Instead of open skies and pathways of exchange, Palestinians face walls, checkpoints, and borders closed by force.
World Tourism Day affirms that tourism should foster peace, dignity, and solidarity among peoples. The Palestinian story reminds us that true tourism is not only about landscapes and monuments, but about justice, freedom, and human connection.
On this day, we call on the international community to recognise and support the Palestinian people’s right to live in freedom, to welcome the world as hosts in their own land, and to share their history, culture, and future with all.
Palestine is more than a destination – it is a people, a heritage, and a homeland that must be free.
