1. L e i d e n Uni v e r si t y . T h e
A dialogue with the ‘visitor’
of Tell Balata (Palestine)
dr. Monique van den Dries, 24 April 2013

2. L e i d e n Uni v e r si t y . T h e
Tell Balata (Nablus):
‘uncrowned queen of Palestine’
www.topnews.in/regions/
west-bank
2011
Middle Bronze Age city
c. 1700 – 1200 BC

3. L e i d e n Uni v e r si t y . T h e
2010: Tell Balata Archaeological Park Project

4. L e i d e n Uni v e r si t y . T h e
Involvement and dialogue with
surrounding community is crucial

5. L e i d e n Uni v e r si t y . T h eWalking route

6. L e i d e n Uni v e r si t y . T h ePlaying ground!

7. L e i d e n Uni v e r si t y . T h eLand owners: olive and fig groves

8. L e i d e n Uni v e r si t y . T h e
Transportation route

9. L e i d e n Uni v e r si t y . T h e
dialogue with the local team and the
local community centre on the approach
We wanted to learn about THEIR
- ideas about community involvement
- aims and messages to communicate
- inclusion into the ‘community’
- opinion on feasible activities

10. L e i d e n Uni v e r si t y . T h e
Outcome dialogue:
- 20 stakeholders to involve/inform
- 20 additional partners/target groups
nearly 50 activities
Budget USD 13.000 (3% of total budget)
short term and long term strategy

11. L e i d e n Uni v e r si t y . T h e
Aims:
- to preserve stories and knowledge about the site
- gather views and opinions about the park
- involvement in conservation and management
Oral history

12. L e i d e n Uni v e r si t y . T h e
Result: 26 interviews
- community highly values the site
- support for plans
- lack of historical knowledge
- workers want to be educated

13. L e i d e n Uni v e r si t y . T h e
Logo
competition
Students graphic design
Najah University
Nablus

14. L e i d e n Uni v e r si t y . T h e
Education:
- make the cultural history
available in Arabic
- inspire teachers
- introduce sustainable approach
Teachers handbook
Dialogue is critical success factor

15. L e i d e n Uni v e r si t y . T h e
The value of heritage
History of Palestine and Tell Balata
What do archaeologists do
Management of the site
Natural value of the site
a r t I

16. L e i d e n Uni v e r si t y . T h e

17. L e i d e n Uni v e r si t y . T h e
Tell Balata Family Day
- Presentation of developments
- Ground plan visitor centre
- Result logo competition
- Panel with site map
- Visitors get leaflet and oral history booklet
- Activities
- Pot fixing for children
- Drawing competition
- Explanation in excavation pits
(ca. 700 people attended)

18. L e i d e n Uni v e r si t y . T h e
Main objective:
develop promotion strategy
to attract more visitors
Challenges:
- political situation (image)
- difficulties with Israeli tourism
industry
Focus on providing information
http://erinabs.xanga.com/1446925/breaking-down-the-walls-in-our-hearts/
Tourism development plan

19. L e i d e n Uni v e r si t y . T h e
Promotion
Material

20. L e i d e n Uni v e r si t y . T h e
Methods applied
- inventory of information sources
- interview with tourists
- interview with tour guides
- Arab Tourist Guide Union

21. L e i d e n Uni v e r si t y . T h e
To conclude
- dialogue for TBAP crucial
- no evaluation results yet, but
locals appreciate it
- more references to activities
- more local interest in dialogue
with community
http://bleon1.wordpress.com/tag/tell-balata/
http://holylandphotos.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/
tel-balata-shechem-becoming-tourist-friendly/

22. L e i d e n Uni v e r si t y . T h e
www.tellbalata.com
Experience Tell Balata yourself and pay a visit!