The tourism sector in Iraq is growing fast. Hotels, guest numbers, and revenue all show big increases. Still, many ancient historical sites remain ignored and underdeveloped.
New data shows Iraq had over 2,400 hotels in 2023. This is 86 percent more than a decade ago. Hotel revenues reached about 695 billion Iraqi dinars. That’s a 166 percent jump compared to 2015.
Iraqi hotels welcomed 9.5 million guests last year. Of these, around 2.7 million were foreigners. That shows rising global interest in the tourism sector in Iraq.
This growth, however, is not spread evenly. Most visitors go to the Kurdistan Region and Iraq’s holy cities. Sulaymaniyah led with over 29 percent of all visitors. Karbala followed with 20 percent, and Erbil came next with 18 percent.
Foreigners mostly visit for religious reasons. Najaf and Karbala hosted 65 percent of all international guests. These two cities are major stops in the Islamic world.
But while religious tourism thrives, historical tourism is being left behind. Places like ancient Babylon and the city of Ur see very few visitors. These areas also have few hotels and tourist services.
For example, Babil Province had only six hotels in 2023. Dhi Qar Province, home to the ancient city of Ur, had just 11. Experts say the lack of tourism support in these places wastes huge economic potential.
Iraq’s ancient cities tell the story of human civilization. Yet they suffer from poor infrastructure and low investment. Roads, hotels, and guides are missing or limited.
Experts agree that the tourism sector in Iraq could be a real solution to its oil-heavy economy. Tourism keeps growing even when other industries face challenges. It can also create thousands of jobs for young Iraqis.
To reach that goal, Iraq needs a clear plan. Investments must target neglected historical regions. The country must also market these sites globally.
With proper support, ancient locations like Babylon and Ur could become global tourist spots. They offer unique experiences that travelers cannot find elsewhere.
Until then, Iraq’s tourism gains will remain unbalanced. Bridging the gap between religious and historical tourism is key. Only then will the tourism sector in Iraq reach its full power.