Iraq Business News brings you the latest news on developments and opportunities in leisure and tourism industries in Iraq.
By Omar al-Shaher for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. At the restoration site of the Ottoman governor’s headquarters, known as Qishla, near the Tigris River in Baghdad, Iraqi journalist Imad al-Khafaji says, “I feel, as the work proceeds, that we […]
By John Lee. Azzaman reports that more than 2.5 million tourists visited Iraq in 2012, most of them on pilgrimage to the country’s holy shrines. Data issued by the Ministry of Antiquities and Tourism show that Iraq has become a top destination for Muslim, mainly Shiite, tourist. The numbers are reportedly the largest since the country […]
By John Lee. Azzaman quotes a senior official at the Ministry of Antiquities and Tourism as saying that the United States still keeps 80,000 ancient Iraqi artifacts and refuses to return them to the Iraq Museum. Hazem al-Shammari said Iraqi authorities were in touch with their American counterparts but the discussion have so far led […]
By John Lee. Iraq said on Wednesday that it is ready to host the 2015 Gulf Cup of Nations, with new facilities almost ready for the first football tournament to be held in the country since the US-led invasion in 2003. The 2013 tournament, currently being held in Manama, was originally scheduled to take place […]
This week marks the 150th edition of our Iraq Business News newsletter, and we are delighted to mark the occasion by bringing you a major new guide to business in Iraq. Published by Allurentis, in association with Iraq's National Investment Commission (NIC) and UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), the fourth edition in the annual New […]
Iraq’s holy city of Karbala is hosting a religious ritual described as one of the largest in the country, reports Iran's PressTV, which says that more than nine million Shias from Iraq and other countries have poured into the city to commemorate Arbaeen. Arbaeen marks the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein […]
By John Lee. Azzaman reports that the Iraqi government has removed visa restrictions on pilgrims visiting Muslim shrines during ‘holy’ occasions. The move will make it possible for pilgrims to fly to the country and obtain their visas at the Iraqi airports instead of applying for it at the Iraqi embassies in their countries. Muslim […]
By John Lee. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide announced it has signed an agreement with BCD Co. to introduce its destination sensation brand, Aloft Hotels, to Iraq's emerging commercial hub. The opening of the new Aloft Erbil in 2015 will mark the launch of the Aloft brand into Iraq. Created to shake up the traditional […]
Marshes restored after they were drained under Saddam Hussein during the Iraq-Iran war in the 1980's are now under the risk of being completely destroyed due to rising temperatures and drought. Al Jazeera's Jane Arraf reports from Iraq's southern marshes. (Source: Al Jazeera)
By John Lee. Nassiriya suffers from a lack of facilities for family entertainment, which force most families to go to other provinces, mainly during eids and other holidays. Analysts and activists accuse the government of disregarding violation of "green zones" in Iraq. The Iraqi Housing Director, Bassam al-Jaberi, told Aswat al-Iraq news agency: "Nine years […]
By John Lee. UNESCO's Iraq Office and the Governorate of Ninewa signed an agreement to start a project under which UNESCO will carry out a complete set of studies to protect one of the region's historical icons: Al Hadba Minaret. After several meetings and an expert mission, UNESCO Iraq Director Mohamed Djelid met on Friday, […]
By John Lee. The regional head of motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson has told told Arabian Business that the company is planning to boost its dealerships in the Middle Eastern countries including Libya and Iraq. “The new showroom in Doha opened its doors just over a month ago, and the new Abu Dhabi and Algeria showrooms will […]
