2. Middle East: Race for Iraq
The stand out Middle East trend is the resurgence of travel into Iraq. The country hosted a stand at this year’s WTM for the first time in ten years, in a bid to move away from its war-torn image and reposition itself as a tourism destination aimed at cultural and religious visitors.
With the end of the conflict, the country is experiencing a tourism revival alongside a business boom boasting $230 billion of projects .
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Historically, religious tourism was the main driver of tourism in Iraq. Landmarks such as the city of Najaf are famous destinations for Shia pilgrims. Around 1.3 million tourists visited in 2009, with religious tourism accounting for 75%, mainly from Iran. In Kurdistan, the Ministry of Tourism has grown to more than 500 employees.
Gulf investors are piling into Iraq, driving up business tourism by 58% in 2009. Rotana is opening its first hotel in Iraq in Erbil this year, with additional expansion plans for its Arjaan and Centro brands. Rotana in Baghdad is scheduled for 2012. Millennium and Copthorne is also planning two Copthorne hotels in Kurdistan. Travel agencies are also seeking to capitalise on the boom — Sharaf Travel set up shop there early this year.
Flydubai launched new routes to Erbil this year and more low cost carriers are expected. Looking ahead, by 2014, 700 hotels are forecast to operate in Iraq — a number that will increase in line with security. The Iraqi Ministry of Tourism has also announced mega-projects such as the $1 billion Wasit Tourism City.
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