Baghdad – IA – Fatima Rahma
The Minister of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities, Ahmed Fakak Al-Badrani, confirmed today, Tuesday, that new archaeological sites will be included in the World Heritage List, while revealing a two-axis government plan to develop tourism in Iraq.
Al-Badrani told the (INA): “The Ministry of Antiquities and Heritage Authority is working to add other sites to the UNESCO World Heritage List, because Iraq is replete with many antiquities and heritage, as it is the oldest and most ancient civilization,” noting, “There are many sites that have entered the list.” Many of them are nominated, and we are working to qualify other new sites to be included in the World Heritage List every season.”
He added, “The current government has developed plans to implement important strategies to develop the reality of tourism at the internal and external levels,” noting, “At the external level, countries have been asked during seminars, conferences, and external forums to raise previous banners advising their citizens not to go to Iraq because Iraq is currently… He enjoys stability and well-established security.”
He stressed, “Iraq opens its doors to tourists locally, regionally, Arably, and internationally, through religious, archaeological, recreational, therapeutic, environmental, and desert tourism, and the many tourist destinations in Iraq,” pointing out, “Continuing with action plans to invest in religious and archaeological tourism and the marshes.”
He stated, “Religious tourism is very active, especially the shrines of imams and shrines distributed between Baghdad, Najaf Al-Ashraf, Samarra, Holy Karbala, Nineveh, Basra, and in most Iraqi cities.”
Regarding domestic tourism, Al-Badrani explained, “There is work to support the reality of tourism through several projects at home, especially since tourism is thriving and needs more projects.”