Iraq and Iran Aim to Boost Annual Tourism to 10 Million Visitors

Iraq and Iran Aim to Boost Annual Tourism to 10 Million Visitors
………………..

Iraq and Iran have announced plans to increase annual tourist exchanges between the two countries to 10 million visitors. Iraqi Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities, Ahmed Fakkak al-Badrani, discussed the initiative during a meeting in Baghdad with the head of Iran’s Tourist Services Association, Harametollah Rafiee.

Al-Badrani highlighted Iraq’s readiness to enhance tourism cooperation, encouraging Iranian private sector investment in historical, cultural, medical, and religious tourism. Currently, around 3.5 million Iraqis travel to Iran annually for visits and medical treatment. The plan includes arrangements to equally divide the 10 million tourists, with approximately five million expected to visit Iran.

Rafiee emphasized expanding medical tourism and cultural and educational exchanges. Both sides also proposed drafting a memorandum of understanding to formalize cooperation and discussed joint tours involving Iraq, Iran, and other regional countries to strengthen tourism ties.