Iraq's tourism sector booms, but neglect of historical sites leaves potential untapped

Iraqi News

09-07-2025

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraq's tourism sector is experiencing a remarkable boom, with official statistics for 2023 revealing dramatic growth in hotels, revenue, and visitor numbers. However, a closer look at the data shows this growth is heavily concentrated in specific regions, while the nation's world-renowned historical sites—key to a truly diversified and sustainable tourism industry—remain significantly underdeveloped.
According to a report from Iraq's statistics authority, the country was home to over 2,418 hotels in 2023, representing an 86% increase over the past decade. Hotel revenues soared to approximately 695 billion Iraqi dinars, a massive 166% increase compared to 2015.
This growth was driven by a surge in visitors. In 2023, Iraqi hotels hosted 9.5 million guests. Notably, 28% of these—or about 2.7 million visitors—were foreigners, underscoring Iraq's growing appeal.
The data reveals that the current tourism success is concentrated in two main areas: the Kurdistan Region and the country's holy cities. The governorate of Sulaymaniyah attracted the most visitors overall (over 29% of the total), followed by Karbala (20%) and Erbil (18%).
For international visitors, religious tourism is the primary draw. The holy cities of Najaf and Karbala together accounted for 65% of all foreign guest stays, cementing their status as top destinations in the Islamic world.
In stark contrast to this boom, the report highlights a profound weakness in historical tourism. Governorates that are home to some of humanity's most important ancient sites remain among the least visited and least developed.
Babil province, the site of ancient Babylon, had only six hotels operating in 2023. Similarly, Dhi Qar province, home to the ancient Sumerian capital of Ur, had just 11 hotels. The analysis points to a near 'complete absence of tourist facilities' in these historically priceless regions, leaving their vast potential untapped.
Experts argue that a fully realized tourism sector is the most viable and sustainable alternative to Iraq's oil-dependent economy. It has proven its resilience by growing steadily despite past security challenges and holds the potential to create tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
However, for Iraq to transform its current success into a diversified national industry, a strategic shift is required. Greater attention and investment must be directed towards developing the infrastructure around its ancient Mesopotamian heritage. Only by bridging the gap between its booming religious tourism and its neglected historical sites can Iraq unlock its full potential as a world-class tourism destination.