The Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA), represented by Projects Coordinator Mr. Hamed Al-Boudairi, alongside Mr. Mustafa AlZeer, Cultural Heritage and Historic Buildings Coordinator at Al-Bireh Municipality, participated in a specialized training on sustainable tourism and heritage preservation, organized by Sites & Cités Remarquables de France (SCR), with the participation of representatives of local government units and institutions from different countries.

During the training, Mr. Hamed Al-Boudairi presented the experiences of Palestinian LGUs and APLA’s efforts to support them and strengthen their international presence, emphasizing the importance of international knowledge exchange in developing local practices and initiatives. The participation also provided an opportunity to explore models, practices, and ideas for projects, campaigns, and studies that could be adapted to the Palestinian context and incorporated into APLA’s future programs. In addition, participants explored the potential use of technological tools presented by French municipalities and institutions to improve the management of heritage sites, raise awareness of their significance, and enhance their tourism appeal.

The training addressed several key points, including developing sustainable tourism strategies; balancing the attractiveness of tourist destinations with residents’ quality of life and heritage preservation; adapting tourism activities to environmental challenges; revitalizing abandoned heritage sites and areas for tourism purposes; and developing approaches to heritage interpretation and enhancing visitor experiences. The program also included study visits to the village of Beaulieu and the Musée Granet, offering insights into practical experiences and approaches in this field.

This participation is part of APLA’s ongoing efforts to support LGUs in protecting cultural heritage and developing heritage tourism through its programs and projects, including the Sub-Grant Project and the previously implemented Heritage Sites Inventory Project. These efforts also aim to strengthen LGUs’ capacity to leverage their cultural and historical assets in support of sustainable economic and social development.

These efforts are particularly significant in Palestine, where cultural and historical heritage forms an integral part of national identity, serves as a cornerstone for preserving collective memory, and reinforces Palestinians’ connection to their land and continued presence on it. In this context, LGUs play a vital role in protecting this heritage, passing it on to future generations, and enhancing its contribution to the development of local communities in ways that reflect their unique characteristics and resources.