REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, YOGYAKARTA -- Palestine wants to work with Indonesia to develop religious and archaeological tourism in the country in order to attract more foreign tourists. "We want to develop archaeological sites in Palestine. We hope to develop cooperation with Indonesia in the field of tourism and archaeology," Hussein T. Madina, a Palestinian archaeo-botanist, said in Sragen, Central Java, Thursday.

Madina is one of eleven Palestinians participating in the International Training on Tourism and Antiquities organized by the Directorate of Technical Cooperation at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Palestine sends eleven people who works in the field of tourism and archaeology to learn about Indonesia's experience in managing archaeological sites for tourism sector.

Madina, who works for UNESCO Commission for Palestine, said the Palestinian government and the people want to develop religious and archaeological sites in Palestine. "As in the West Bank alone there are hundreds of archaeological sites. We try to develop those historic archaeological sites, like the walls of Jericho which is a world heritage site," he said.

According to Madina, Palestine is currently working to increase the number of tourists coming into the country, especially Muslims, Christians, Catholics, and Jews. He invited the Indonesian people to visit the religious and historic sites in Palestine.

"The Indonesian Christians can visit religious sites in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Hebron," Madina said, adding that the Indonesian people can visit Palestine via Amman, Jordan by road for two hours.

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