Clinton heralds Jerusalem tourism

Clinton heralds Jerusalem tourism
By admin


Jerusalem has the potential to become the "most visited place on Earth" if peace can be achieved across the Middle East, according to 42nd US president Bill Clinton

Speaking at the World Travel and Tourism Council Global Summit in Abu Dhabi, Clinton highlighted the tourism benefits that can be brought about by establishing stability in war-torn regions.

"I spent a lot of time when I was president trying to end wars, stop killing, make peace, promote understanding," he said. "What I have seen is that peace works better than conflict and one of the best manifestations of that is travel and tourism."

Clinton highlighted Montenegro as an example of a country which had virtually no tourism industry when the Kosovo conflict came to an end. But once peace set in, international tourism soared, rising 650% in five years.

"Serbian tourism also increased more than 10-fold between 2002 and 2010," he continued. 

Croatia too had seen a rise of 50% in the year following the reintroduction of peace in Bosnia in 1995, climbing a further 300% in the following decade.

"If there is comprehensive peace in the Middle East, Jerusalem might become the most visited place on Earth," Clinton said. "People would want to see the centre of Islam, Judaism and Christianity – even people from Asia who were not a part of any of the three traditions." 

He highlighted the need to accept a "common humanity", with subsequent cooperation and interdependence capable of yielding economic positives.

But Clinton also urged people to embrace their differences, using them as a motivation to travel and explore other cultures.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

Latest News

  • Products

Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun

If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Tourism

TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips

The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]

  • Aviation

Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak

Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]

  • Hotels

Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa

Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]

  • Luxury
  • News

Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]