Iraq, represented by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities, participated on Wednesday in the activities of the “Fitur” Travel and Tourism Exhibition 2025, which was launched in the Spanish capital, Madrid, after an absence of 30 years .
The ministry’s statement stated that “Iraq, represented by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities/Tourism Authority, participated in the activities of the “Fitur” Travel and Tourism Exhibition 2025, which was held in the Spanish capital, Madrid .”
The statement added, “This participation comes after an interruption of more than 30 years, with the attendance of the Iraqi Ambassador to Spain, Saleh Al-Tamimi, and the Chairman of the Kurdistan Region Tourism Board, Ms. Amal Jalal, where the Iraqi pavilion was opened by the Minister of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities, Ahmed Fakak Al-Badrani, with the participation of 12 tourism companies and a number of Iraqi hotels, in addition to the presence of a number of general managers in the Tourism Board .”
Al-Badrani confirmed – according to the statement – that “Iraq’s return to the “Fitur” festival comes under the direct direction of the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, with the aim of enhancing Iraq’s global tourism presence .”
The minister pointed out that “the participation coincides with the selection of Baghdad as the Arab Tourism Capital for the year 2025, which reflects Iraq’s strategic orientations towards promoting its distinctive cultural and tourist sites .”
The statement continued, “The Iraqi pavilion displayed a variety of tourist attractions that highlight famous archaeological sites such as Babylon, Ur and Nineveh. The shows also included religious tourism, which attracts thousands of visitors annually due to its sanctity, the beauty of the marshes and mountainous areas, where videos and photos were presented showing the splendor of Iraqi nature, handicrafts and folk arts that represent part of Iraq’s cultural identity .”
He explained that “the Iraqi participation aimed to attract international travel agencies and investors to learn about the country’s untapped tourist destinations, such as unique archaeological sites and natural resorts. The pavilion also highlighted government projects to develop infrastructure and establish hotels and resorts near historical sites .”
He stressed that “Iraq sought to participate to send a strong message to the world confirming Iraq’s stability and its desire to enhance cooperation with other countries in the field of tourism. It is also an opportunity to enhance international confidence in Iraq’s ability to rebuild its position as a prominent tourist and cultural center .”
The statement pointed out that “there is an expectation that the country will witness a large presence of tourists in the coming years, after choosing Baghdad as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2025, and including Iraq on the global tourism map. This vision comes thanks to government coordination to develop historical sites and improve tourism infrastructure .”
The statement continued, “The Iraqi government seeks, through this participation, to diversify the national economy away from dependence on oil, and open new horizons for cooperation with countries and international organizations in the tourism sector .”
It is noteworthy that the “Fitur” Festival is an important starting point for the Iraqi tourism sector, which is expected to contribute to achieving a qualitative shift in the national economy and enhancing Iraq’s position on the global tourism scene .
