AGREEMENT ON PREPARATORY TRANSFER OF POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Annex IV
Protocol Concerning Preparatory Transfer of Powers and Responsibilities in
the Sphere of Tourism
1. The powers and responsibilities of the military government and its
Civil Administration in the sphere of tourism will be transferred to
and will be assumed by the Palestinian Authority.
2. The sphere of tourism shall include all matters dealt with in the
laws, regulations and military orders listed in Appendix A.
This includes the responsibility for regulating, licensing, grading,
supervising and developing the tourist industry and its services
within the scope of such terms in the laws, regulations and military
orders listed in Appendix A, as well as maintaining and promoting
foreign and domestic tourism, developing visitors' interest in tourist
sites and encouraging the development of tourist services around them
in coordination with the Civil Administration, or if the site is under
the responsibility of another authority - in coordination with that
other authority. It also includes organizing exhibitions, popular and
cultural festivals and events and tourism conferences.
This sphere shall cover tourism activities conducted by private,
public, non-governmental and foreign bodies.
3. In exercising its security authorities, the military government will
take into account tourism considerations with the objective of
minimizing any harmful effect on the industry or any consequences that
may prejudice its productivity and continued development.
4. The military government and its Civil Administration will assist and
support the Palestinian Authority in developing the tourism industry,
promoting the expansion of tourist facilities such as hotels,
restaurants and travel agencies, and in removing obstacles that may
hinder the growth of the industry.
5. The transfer of powers and responsibilities to the Palestinian
Authority shall not affect the continued authority of the military
government and its Civil Administration to exercise their powers and
responsibilities for security and public order as well as for other
spheres, including the sites referred to in paragraph 2 above,
authority over which has not been transferred.
6. The tourism authorities of Israel and the Palestinian Authority shall
promote and encourage tourism to the region for the benefit of both
sides.
7. a. Travel agents, tour companies, tour guides and other tourism
businesses (hereinafter "tourism entities") authorized by the
Palestinian Authority will be allowed to conduct tours that
include Israel, provided that their authorization as well as
their operation is in accordance with rules, professional
requirements and standards agreed upon in the subcommittee on
tourism of the JEC.
b. Pending that agreement, existing tourism entities in the West
Bank that are currently allowed to conduct tours that include
Israel, will be allowed to continue to do so.
8. Tour buses or any other forms of tourist transport authorized by the
Palestinian Authority, and operated by companies registered and
licensed by it, will be allowed to enter and proceed on their tour in
Israel if such buses or other vehicles conform with the standards
currently in effect in the West Bank and provided that they conform
with international standards that have been adopted. All such vehicles
will be clearly marked as tourist vehicles.
9. Tourism companies and agencies licensed by the Palestinian Authority
shall enjoy equal access to tourism-related facilities and amenities
in border points of exit and entry according to the regulations of the
Israeli authorities.
10. A joint committee will be established between Israel and the
Palestinian Authority to facilitate coordination and cooperation on
tourism issues, including the promotion of tourism.
Appendix A
Laws, Regulations and Military Orders in the Sphere of Tourism
1. Temporary Tourism Law, No. 45, 1965, except for articles 2(4)E, 4(1),
4(5), 7(2), 7(3), 14(3)
article 2(5) except for provisions regarding Tourism Regions
2. Regulations regarding Equipment and Promotional Services and
Constructive Activities of the Tourism Authority, No. 44, 1966
3. Financial Regulations of the Tourism Authority, No. 45, 1966
4. Tourism and Travel Agency Regulations, No. 46, 1966
5. Regulations regarding Commercial Oriental Souvenir Emporiums, No. 47,
1966
6. Regulations regarding Commercial Oriental Souvenir Emporiums,
(Amendment No. 6) (Judea and Samaria), 1988
7. Regulations regarding Tour Guides and their Supervision, No. 48, 1966
8. Regulations regarding Guest Houses and their Supervision, No. 49, 1966
9. Order regarding Temporary Law for Tourism, No. 45, 1965 (Judea and
Samaria), No. 917, 1981
10. Regulations regarding Tourism and Travel Agencies (Amendments 1-4)
(Judea and Samaria), 1976
11. Regulations regarding Commercial Oriental Souvenir Emporiums
(Amendment No. 3) (Judea and Samaria), 1982
12. Regulations regarding Commercial Oriental Souvenir Emporiums
(Amendments 1-6), 1976, 1980, 1987, 1988
13. Regulations regarding Tour Guides and their Supervision (Amendment No.
5) (Judea and Samaria), 1988
14. Regulations regarding the Prohibition on Acceptance of Commissions by
Tour Guides, 1976
15. Decision regarding Escorting Tourists as a Branch of Tourism (Judea
and Samaria), 1982
16. Regulations regarding Guest Houses and their Supervision (Amendments 3
and 4), 1988, 1990
17. Instructions regarding Guest Houses and their Supervision (Minimal
Standards for Ungraded Hotels) (Judea and Samaria), 1975
18. Instructions regarding Guest Houses and their Supervision (Principles
of Hotel Grading) (Judea and Samaria), 1976
19. Instructions regarding Guest Houses and their Supervision (Offering
Drinking Water and Citrus Fruits during Meals) (Judea and Samaria),
1985
20. Regulations regarding Tourism Offices (Judea and Samaria), 1989
21. Regulations regarding Licensed Tourist Emporiums (Judea and Samaria),
1977