The number of tourists visiting the Kurdistan Region this year reached a record high, according to Mr. Mawlawi Jabar, Chairman of the General Board of Tourism. In an interview with the Kurdistan Regional Government website, Mr. Jabar noted: “In the first six months of 2018, 1.3 million tourists visited the Kurdistan Region, mostly from central […]
Archive | Leisure and Tourism in Iraq
Iraq Business News brings you the latest news on developments and opportunities in leisure and tourism industries in Iraq.
Video: Sanctions Prevent Iranians marking Ashoura in Iraq
From Al Jazeera. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. US sanctions have made it too expensive for Iranian Shia Muslims to travel to Iraq to mark Ashoura. Ashoura is a day of remembrance, commemorating the death of Imam Hussein, a grandson of […]
Religious Tourism Suffers from Sanctions on Iran
By Adnan Abu Zeed for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraq’s religious tourism suffers from US sanctions on Iran US economic sanctions on Iran are stemming the flow of religious tourists to neighboring Iraq, even as the Muslim holy month […]
Erbil Stadium to be Sold to Private Investor
By John Lee. Erbil’s main outdoor stadium will reportedly be sold off to a private investor. According to Rudaw, a new stadium will be built on the site of the Franso Hariri Stadium. The existing 28,000-capacity venue was built in 1956 and refurbished in 1992. More here from Rudaw. (Source: Rudaw) (Picture credit: Kushared)
Ouzo Gains Popularity in Iraq
By John Lee. Greek ouzo has reportedly become extremely popular in Iraq in recent years, with imports increasing steadily. According to greekreporter.com, ouzo is now replacing Iraq’s popular arak, a transparent drink very similar to Greece’s ouzo or raki. Komotini-based company Distillery Winery of Thrace claims to have an 85-percent share of the Iraqi ouzo […]
Rotana Hotels appoints new General Manager
Rotana Hotels has announced the appointment of Ramy Haykal (pictured) as Cluster General Manager of Erbil Rotana & Erbil Arjaan by Rotana. Ramy began his career with InterContinental Hotels Group in 1996 as the finance director for Middle East and Africa. As the new General Manager of Erbil Rotana and Erbil Arjaan by Rotana, Ramy […]
Video: Iraq’s ‘Special’ Athletes go for Gold
From AFP. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. With two gold medals to her name already, Iraqi badminton player Heba Asghar is more determined than ever as she prepares for next year’s Special Olympics for athletes with intellectual disabilities. View on YouTube
Video: Religious Tourism Squeezed by Iran Sanctions
From AFP. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraqis in the holy city of Najaf are being hit hard by US sanctions on neighbouring Iran, which have forced cash-strapped pilgrims to stay at home. View on YouTube
Iraq to Reduce Visa Charges for Iranian Pilgrims
By John Lee. Iraq will reportedly reduce its visa charges for Iranian pilgrims later this year. According to the report from Associated Press, the reduction will only apply to pilgrims of the “Arbaeen,” the anniversary of the passage of 40 days after the death of Shiite Imam Hussein, the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson. Visas normally cost […]
Iraq Football hit by Age Fraud Scandals
AFP reports that with players banned from travel, executives sacked and a national squad that just withdrew from the Asian Games, Iraqi football is paying the price for a string of age fraud scandals. Read more here. (Source: AFP)
$1.6bn Investment in a New Tourist City
By John Lee. Asiacell boss Faruk Mustafa Rasool (pictured) has announced a $1.6-billion investment in a new tourist city on Kurdistan’s Lake Dukan. According to the report from Rudaw, the 3,250-hectare complex will include accomodation, two cable cars, an island, “and many other interesting places”. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) approved the project, which is […]
Video: Iraq’s Largest Indoor Water Park Opens
From AFP. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. As the summer heat increases in Iraq, Baghdad residents now get to enjoy a new water park, opened as a trial-run in the capital during the Eid al-Fitr religious holiday. The park’s capacity is […]