Iraq Tourism Eyes Growth in London

On its first visit to a European travel fair in more than a decade, Iraq will be attending World Travel Market in London with its partner Dunira Strategy to investigate market development opportunities. Led by the Tourism Board of Iraq, the delegation will also participate in the World Tourism Organization’s Ministers’ Summit and meet leading British experts.

British expertise in the field is well recognized. The British Museum has for some time been leading the way in supporting the research and interpretation of Iraq’s cultural heritage, which is such a key part of the country’s emerging tourism product.

The ancient cities of Babylon and Ur are key sites, whilst Baghdad was for centuries the intellectual capital of the Islamic world, leading in astronomy, literature, mathematics and music.

According to some historians, the Garden of Eden is 50 miles north of Basra, the city from which Sinbad set sail in The Thousand and One Nights. With 5,000 years of history, Mesopotamia is the cradle of civilization.

More recently Iraq has of course been in the news for other reasons, but here too Britain is contributing to the recovery, helping translate the country’s extraordinary range of cultural and natural heritage into economic benefit and social opportunity through tourism. The only European tour operator offering a full Iraqi program is based in Yorkshire, England.

With many of the country’s 784 hotels in a poor state, the Board is keen to speak to investors that share its vision and ambition and is also seeking assistance with hospitality and other training.

Iraq represents an outstanding opportunity for investment and development. Meeting the Iraqi delegation in the regenerated docklands of London will be a good place to start.