Iraq’s Tourism Minister Expresses Readiness to Exchange 10 Million Tourists with Iran

According to Rokna, Ahmad Fakkak Al-Badrani, Iraq’s Minister of Arts, Tourism, and Cultural Heritage, in a meeting with Hormatollah Rafiei, Head of the Iranian Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies, expressed support for the private Iranian tourism sector’s proposals to expand historical-cultural tourism, medical tourism, as well as religious tourism between the two countries. He stated that Iraq’s Ministry of Tourism is prepared to develop tourism exchanges with Iran.

Rafiei, who is overseeing preparations for the Iranian tourism roadshow in Baghdad, also visiting other sectors of Iraq’s tourism industry, noted that the roadshow is scheduled for mid-September in Baghdad, Karbala, and Basra, featuring B2B meetings and “Iran Nights” events in these cities.

He added that, according to Iraqi government statistics, 3.5 million Iraqi tourists currently travel to Iran annually for religious and medical tourism. Based on the Iranian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Tourism’s proposal, arrangements are now underway to facilitate approximately 10 million tourists traveling between Tehran and Baghdad, with Iran expected to host around 5 million visitors.

During the meeting, a telephone conversation was facilitated between Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage and Tourism, Dr. Salehi Amiri, and his Iraqi counterpart. The two ministers discussed the restoration of historical sites and further development and cooperation in tourism. Dr. Salehi Amiri expressed hope that with precise planning and agreements, tourism between the two countries will flourish.

Rafiei emphasized that a major topic during the discussions was the development of medical tourism, as well as the exchange of historical and educational tourism, with plans to draft and sign a memorandum of understanding between the two sides.

The head of Iran’s travel association also noted that, based on initial agreements, proposals were made to establish combined tour packages from other regional countries, and both nations agreed to give this initiative special attention.