The ceremony was attended by Ms. Vera Baboun Mayor of Bethlehem, Mr. David Harden, Arch. Issam Juha director of CCHP and number of representatives of local organizations. The inauguration began by a welcoming speech by of H.E. Ms. Rula Ma'aia. She praised the role of the projects that was renovated in service of the Palestinian tourism sector. In addition, she added the role of such projects in the regeneration of the tourism, social and cultural spirit in the town of Peace.
Mrs. Ma'aia thanked in her speech the USAID for their continuous support in various sectors of the Palestinian life. The funding of such projects highlights the importance of cultural and architectural heritage in particular. Moreover she praised the role of the Centre for Cultural Heritage Preservation, in which it shows the cooperation between the various organizations in order to present the culture of Palestine and to shows the ancient and historical value of Palestine.
Ms. Baboun pointed out to the Palestinian cooperation and success after the inscription of Bethlehem, The Nativity Church and The Pilgrimage Route on the UNESCO Endangered World Heritage sites. The implementation of such projects is considered one of the most important initiatives that aim at the preservation of culture, revitalizing the tourism sector and strengthening the touristic place in Bethlehem by encouraging the tourists to spend more time in the city and stay over. By the end of her speech, Ms. Baboun thanked each and everyone who have contributed to the success of the projects and especially thanked the USAID and CCHP.
As for David Harden he highlighted the importance of such projects in which they contribute to a unique addition and it delivers a true message for the development of the Palestinian tourism sector. He also added that the agency is working with many partners to increase the numbers of tourists and their stay in Bethlehem. Such projects aim at emphasizing the importance of the city in addition to alleviate the lifestyle to many inhabitants and last of all to invest in the tourism sector.
Arch. Issam Juha; the Director of the Centre for Cultural Heritage Preservation highlighted that the project is working on the preservation of urban sites in Bethlehem, Burqin and Bethany. Such projects is based on the cooperation with the local community's organizations and aims at improving the tourism projects, increase the income as tourism is one of the major sources in the national income. The projects' interventions include the establishments of a solid infrastructure and tourism structure for the tourists and visitors by developing the infrastructure and the restorations of historical buildings to be used in improving tourism.
Ian Knowles; the manager of the Bethlehem Icon School, thanked everyone who has contributed in making Hosh abu Jarour a successful project for their icon school to exist to teach and pass knowledge of iconography to the local community of Bethlehem.
The project comes is part of a series of projects implemented by The Centre for Cultural Heritage Preservation funded by The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the West Bank Compete Project. The project aims at revitalizing the tourism sector and preserving the ancient and cultural value of Bethlehem, especially after the inscription of Bethlehem on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Four important projects were inaugurated in Bethlehem; Establishment of Public Sanitary Facilities, rehabilitation of Qattan Stairway, Street Light Network, and rehabilitation of Hosh Abu Jarour, where the ceremony ended at Hosh Abu Jarour.
