Iraq Business News brings you the latest news on developments and opportunities in leisure and tourism industries in Iraq.
By John Lee. The Iraqi Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has announced that more than 130,000 tourists entered Iraq in May. According to Aswat al Iraq, the tourists mainly visited the holy shrines in Karbala, Najaf (pictured), Baghdad and Samarra. Approximately 12,000 tourists came from "Arab and foreign countries", while the rest came from Iran […]
By John Lee. According to property consultancy Colliers, there is a "clear market opportunity" to develop branded hotel projects in Erbil. Construction Weekly Online reports occupancy rates are increasing, and the construction of a new airport in the city has had a positive effect on the numbers of both business and leisure tourists. The total […]
Dubai-based Emaar Properties and Kurdish firm Farouq Holdings [Farouk] are reported to be in talks with the Kurdistan Regional Government about developing a new $3bn resort in Sulaimaniya governate. Zawya reports that the KRG has approved the Dukan tourist city project, and that work could start within six months. The director-general of the Kurdistan Investment […]
University of Manchester archaeologists have started the excavation of an enormous building complex in Iraq, thought to be around 4,000 years old. The team, directed by Professor Stuart Campbell and Dr Jane Moon, both from Manchester, and independent archaeologist Robert Killick, first spotted the amazing structure – thought to be an administrative complex serving one […]
HMS Infotech has announced an alliance with Ejaftech as their channel partner in Iraq for reselling Hotelogix to the hospitality industry there. Hotelogix is a cloud based Property Management System (PMS) and Online Distribution System, used by small and medium sized hospitality businesses in over 50 countries across the globe today. (Source: HMS Infotech)
Hilton Worldwide today announced its expansion in Iraq's semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan into the city of Sulaymaniyah following the signing of a management agreement with Kurdonia Company for Tourism & Hospitality Ltd, owned fully by Hiwa Rauf Company. The new build, 223-room DoubleTree by Hilton Sulaymaniyah is expected to open early 2015. The hotel will […]
By John Lee. Abu Dhabi's Cristal Group, which plans to open its first Baghdad hotel, the Cristal Grand Ishtar, at the start of May, says it wants to expand beyond Baghdad to Erbil, Karbala, Basra and Suleimanya in the next two years. Referring to Baghdad and most of the country outside the Kurdistan region, Peter […]
From Jewish News One. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. As the world discusses the legacy of the Iraq war on the 10 year anniversary of the US-led invasion, one group that appears to have clearly benefited from the conflict is Iraq's […]
By Saleh Elias. This article was originally published by Niqash. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. An old Mosul mechanic is shocking locals by restoring scrapped, vintage cars and making lots of money. The aging mechanic even talks to the vehicles to […]
Cristal Group, a premier luxury hospitality company in the Middle East, announced the opening of the landmark Ishtar Hotel on Monday, now renamed the Cristal Grand Ishtar Hotel. One of the tallest buildings in Baghdad, Iraq, the 20-storey property features 307 rooms and suites, comprising of 92 Standard king rooms, 111 Standard twin rooms, 62 […]
Lebanese company Robert's Group is due to open its first family entertainment centre in Iraq next month. The standalone outlet in Baghdad will have 40 games and will be opened in conjunction with a local partner. According to a report from Intergame, the new unit is currently in the final stages of completion. Robert’s Group, […]
The British Consulate General in Kurdistan region launched the Second British Film Festival yesterday, in Erbil. There was a strong turnout, including the President's brother Sidad Barzani, the Erbil Governor, and several KRG Ministers and top officials, as well as senior business and civil society figures. Hugh Evans, British Consul-General in Erbil, and festival co-founder […]
