Our Mission

BDF’s mission is to create a sustainable economy and infrastructure for Bethlehem, and to enable the Holy City to sparkle as a peaceful beacon and unique spiritual center of the world for pilgrims of all faiths. The development of Bethlehem is essential in reviving the birthplace of Jesus Christ and in making this Holy Region a top travel destination, where pilgrims and tourists alike spend quality time, rather than merely passing through.

To visitors from around the world, whether they come as pilgrims, students, scholars dedicated to interreligious research or as tourists of secular persuasion, the City of Bethlehem can be the epicenter for the practice, experience, accumulation, and dispersion of peace. For all residents, BDF aims to create a sustainable economic and social environment to foster the growth of a fully integrated, prosperous, and harmonious community.

Our Vision

The Bethlehem Development Initiative’s (BDI) vision is to transform the Bethlehem Governorate into a vibrant, international, and spiritual tourist destination. It seeks to create a sustainable economy and infrastructure for the Bethlehem Governorate that improves the quality of life for residents and acts as an attraction to visitors. To implement the Bethlehem Development Initiative, a group of International and Palestinian philanthropists established a non-governmental organization called the Bethlehem Development Foundation (BDF).