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TRAVEL PAGE Travel Selection Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Holy Land Welcomes You No Room at Holy Land Inns? Come to Bethlehem Bethlehem: A Developing Region Places of Interest in Bethlehem Visit Nazareth in 2000 Nazareth in Christian Tradition Places of Interest in Nazareth BACK TO TRAVEL MENU PAGE   The Bethlehem Area: A Developing Region, Part 2 Infrastructure Palestinian Television and Radio Stations Media infrastructure in the Palestine Territories is still in the early stages of development. The Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation operates small television stations in Gaza and Ramallah, the "Voice of PalestineTV," broadcasting for the region under the auspices of the Palestinian National Authority. A single radio station, the "Voice of Palestine - Radio," operates from the Jericho area. Due to technical reasons, Palestinian radio and television cannot be received in the Bethlehem area. Broadcast Media Print Media Two daily newspapers are sold in the Bethlehem area - the largest is "Al Kudz," with a circulation of 15,000 copies. The second largest is "An-Nahar." Both "Al-Kudz" and "An-Nahar" are published in East Jerusalem and are privately owned. Another newspaper was established in Gaza this year called "Al-Hayat Ajadeeda." In addition, some six weekly and several monthly magazines are read by the inhabitants of the Bethlehem area. There is still no local newspaper in the Bethlehem area. Telecommunications The Bethlehem area has an extensive telephone network. A large number of Bethlehem area households have a telephone connection. The current number of telephone connections is 8,000. At present, the telephone system is operated by the Israeli telecoms company Bezek. Power Every household in the Bethlehem area is served by the local electricity system. Electricity is supplied to the local power plant by the Jerusalem Electricity Company, an Israeli corporation. Payment for power consumption is made to the local operator. WaterA Scarce Commodity Water is in short supply in the Bethlehem area. Many houses in the region have a cistern for collecting rainwater. Every house has a tank on its roof for keeping water. Furthermore, each household is linked via a pump system to the public water supply. Problem: the pump system is largely antiquated, and not every household in the Bethlehem area receives a regular supply of drinking water. Central Water Supply The Bethlehem area municipal Water Supply and Sewage Authority was established in 1988 and is financed by fees paid by individual households for their daily water consumption. Waste Water Disposal During the last six years, the sewage disposal system has undergone significant improvement. Thanks to the laying of 86 km of sewage pipe, part of the waste water disposal system is now linked to a sewage treatment plant in Jerusalem. In spite of this initial improvement, sewage is still stored next to the houses before being transported to Jerusalem. Sewage disposal is paid for by the individual households in the form of fees. Solid Waste Disposal Domestic waste is transported by garbage truck to Jerusalem three times a month. Fees for refuse removal are paid for by the individual households. Public Transport System The Bethlehem area features a functioning public transport system. The bus lines are owned by private companies from the Bethlehem area. A bus trip costs less than US $0.75 (NIS 1.00). Road Network The city possesses a dense road network, capable of expansion. The streets are often narrow, permitting traffic in only one direction. Some 90% of streets are in poor condition. The School System Education is mandatory for six years. The Bethlehem area has 69 public and 16 private schools. After completing 12 years of school, students may attend a university. Many youngsters go on to high school in order to be eligible for university studies. Bethlehem University Bethlehem University was founded in 1973. The purpose of the university is to extend the advantages of higher education to the young people in the area. Its faculties include: -Arts -Business Administration -Education -Science The Institute of Hotel Management has been an integral part of Bethlehem University since the opening in 1973. The Institute offers diplomas in the following fields: -Hotel Administration -Tourism and Travel Agent Training -Pilgrim Tour Guides The Tourism Sector A Key Economic Sector Tourism and its related enterprises form a major industry in the Bethlehem area. More than 28% of the working population are employed in the tourism sector. Tourism is playing a crucial role in developing the local economy. A Broad Tourist Infrastructure The Year 2000 and its Opportunities The world over, the year 2000 is attracting great attention. Agencies and institutions the world over are planning festivities to mark the turn of the millennium. Christians in particular are eagerly looking forward to the year that marks the 2,000th anniversary of Christ's birth. BethlehemThe Birthplace of Jesus The year 2000 has special meaning for the city of Bethlehem. It was here that Jesus Christ was born in the Grotto of the Nativity. In the succeeding centuries, the Savior's birthplace has attracted countless pilgrims and tourists. Bethlehem - A City with a Strategy More than two million tourists and pilgrims are expected to visit the birthplace of Jesus for this momentous occasion. The city will be inviting high-ranking religious and political figures to join in the festivities. The new millennium will be celebrated in the city from 1999 to 2001 with a variety of concerts, festivals and other events. Much remains to be done . . . Making Tourism More Profitable Objectives: To make the city of Bethlehem more attractive to tourists and pilgrims, i.e., creating more attractions for visitors. To encourage pilgrims to remain longer in the city. To turn Bethlehem into a base for excursions into the surrounding countryside. Expanding the Tourist Infrastructure Developing the Urban Infrastructure If the city's plans are to be fulfilled, infrastructure will have to be substantially improved. The city is planning to create a pedestrian precinct in the area around Manger Square, the city's lively center. A priority project of the city is the construction of a 20 million dollar parking lot for tour buses, to be located approximately 100200 meters from Manger Square. BethlehemA City in Search of Support The city is well on its way to becoming a full-fledged municipality under the aegis of the Palestinian Ministry of Local Affairs. Following decades of military occupation, the city will finally have a chance to take charge of its own urban planning and development. Bethlehem is faced with challenges that it will be unable to master on its own, and the city is currently seeking assistance in staging the momentous "Bethlehem 2000" season. For further information tourism and Bethlehem 2000 please contact: Bethlehem 2000 Manger Square P.O. Box 2000 Bethlehem PALESTINE Phone: ++972-2-742-227 Travel Selection Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Holy Land Welcomes You No Room at Holy Land Inns? Come to Bethlehem Bethlehem: A Developing Region Places of Interest in Bethlehem Visit Nazareth in 2000 Nazareth in Christian Tradition Places of Interest in Nazareth BACK TO TRAVEL MENU PAGE   In Honor of the Land of Christ's Birth What is the ideal journey, whether spiritually or physically? What does it mean to be a millennial traveler, pilgrim or seeker, especially in the Holy Land? How should the church relate to Israel? Join the "Holy Land 2000" discussion on our bulletin-board. Enter the Magi Forum...

Magi Jesus 2000 Links Travel Gift Shop Seminars where millennial journeys begin™ Your comments are welcome: feedback@jaygary.com Copyright © 1999 by Bimillennial Press. All rights reserved. If you find this site helpful, please spread the word by linking to us. URL: http://www.jaygary.com/starof2000/travel/b2area2.htm Revised: June 1, 1999