**Disclaimer: American cititzens are highly recommended to consult with their US Department State before traveling to Iraq for vacation or work
Do we unconsciously connote the word ‘Iraq’ with war and conflict? Although, we don’t have any intention on giving a negative perception towards the country but because we lack information about the country and because of the negative news and feedback from the media, we may unconsciously perceive Iraq as a country of war and chaos.
This false perception does hurt the citizens living in Iraq because from the moment we perceive their dwelling place as chaotic, it is also the same event that we perceive them (the Iraqis) as chaotic. This is one way of judging them as a nation when we don’t have enough evidences and information about their struggles and development.
And this is the perfect time to tweak our minds. We need to broaden our understanding and perception that Iraq is a wonderful nation with loving and caring human beings, aiming towards development. This could be the right time to open our minds that Iraq can be a splendid spot for tourism. If Iraq will be officially claimed as a tourist spot, its Iraq Dinar will increase in value, economy will improve andinternational relations will be established. And anyone knows the significance of having an established international relations right?
And the country Iraq needs to establish good relationship to other foreign countries to promote business opportunities to its citizens. This will give an opportunity for the country to explore more of the outside world. Iraq can be a great spotfor tourism. Why? Well, there are lots of reasons. For those who may have forgotten their history subject way back their early college years, the first civilization in the world was instituted in Mesopotamia.
If you want to experience the true atmosphere of an ancient city then Baghdad is the definite location for you. Or you may just decide to take a break and talk about your experiences and the things you have learned along the way with the locals while sipping your exotic tea and shisha.
So, will the country become a destination of choice? For almost half a decade of chaos, the country seems an unpleasant location for a vacation. But could its image as the origin of human civilization see tourists swarming? It may take years but it is never impossible.
Each and every country has its own exquisite spot and so does Iraq. Remember that Iraq was once the legendary Babylon. The country got spots which can become great holiday destinations. The country got amazing traditions and monuments which can be privileges for the intrepid.
Iraq has excellent traditions. The people in Iraq are accustomed to treat foreigners with kindness (which is very opposite to our current perception today). And one can never deny the grandeur of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. These bodies of water have been part of history since the human civilization began. These bodies of water are the basis of life of the region and are parts of the river system of Southeast Asia. With these rivers alone, we can definitely say that the country got the oldest cities in history which can be a great asset for tourism.
Even text books tell us that the country has hot destinations which can compete on today’s tourist spots. Tourism in Iraq can be a marvelous source of revenue. Although the establishment of tourism in the country may not be as beneficialas that of the country’s oil reserves, still it can be a great factor for the country to improve in its economic status.
Tourism in the country means that there will be a high demand of Iraqi Dinar since tourists will have to pay for their accommodations and food. This will undeniably increase the demand for Dinar and will strengthen the country’s currency for future investments. And higher demand of the Dinar also means a brighter chance for revaluation.
Tourism will greatly change the way people perceive Iraq. If there will be a successful establishment of tourism in the country, the world will have a better view onthe country and significantly to its citizens. This will extensively give a great international image and will boost the Iraqi women’s confidence and will spontaneously help them change the way they view human life. Besides, the citizens of Iraq also got heart and emotions. If we think of their country as chaotic, it seems that we are giving the world the impression that these people are not worthy to be respected.
The Iraq government is determined and focused to establish tourism in the country. The new government officials are optimistic. As a matter of fact, the country just held its “Spring Fair” at a hotel within the great walls of Baghdad. There were numerous visitors with different nationalities. All were given the chance to look at the prestigious gems and fine arts of the country. Some of the arts and crafts were meticulously created by the women of Iraq. And the religious tourists who keep on visiting the holy cities of the country are constantly growing in numbers.
Based on the latest record, Iraq receives approximately 300,000 foreign visitors every single year. The favorite destinations of these visitors are the shrines of the Imam Hussein in Karbala. This fact alone gives strength and motivations to the current Iraq government – which Iraq will soon establish its tourism for the rest of the world. The country’s target right now is to become like the famous countries Cambodia and Croatia. These famous countries were once chaotic places because of war but right now, are one of the leading countries with vacation spots.
Iraq has never been this determined. The government officials in Iraq are even planning to attend this year’s World Travel Market Exhibition. This interesting exhibition will be held in London. This will give the Iraq a chance to show to the world its great spots and sceneries to showcase their country. The government officials are determined to showcase the great antique sceneries that the tourism minister, Qahtan Al-Jibouri conducted a survey for each province in the country to adhere all the needs of the province for development.
If tourism will be established, an influx of money will be greatly anticipated. The government officials have been taking actions to attract foreign investors and international trading partners. This calls for another promising improvement of the economic status of the country.
And as we all know by fact, tourism will definitely require infrastructures like theme parks, stores, restaurants and other business establishments which can definitely promote the currency of the country. In what way can these business establishments boost the currency of Iraq? Well, it’s as simple as getting more opportunities for the citizens to earn a living. More business infrastructures mean more business opportunities and job vacancies. And construction projects will emerge opening domestic opportunities.
Promising trade arrangements will soon rise because the country will have a better relationship with its neighboring countries. And when there is peaceful relationship with countries outside the premises, it means wider job opportunities and bigger foreign investments. Oil trade transaction will definitely be a top source of revenue. Besides, the country got billions ofbarrels which are ready for business for international exports.
Everything will be very smooth and the country will be considered as one of the most powerful countries ever established. Private security will emanate and so with visa requirements. Airlines will follow such as the Star Alliance air network. If tourism will officially be launched in the country, it will never be impossible that by the next ten years an Iraqi will be included in the list of the richest human beings in the planet.
A country, although can have the greatest vacation spots in the world, if there isn’t anystable peace and order situation then it can never attract foreign tourists andinternational investors. The foundation of tourism is definitely the peace and order situation of the location.
It may even require time and money. And to help change the way people perceive Iraq, the government officials are trying their best to corroborate vacation packages and promotional tourism. Its campaign has started. Fortunately, the country is being helped by the US. The US found Iraqas a developing country. For that reason, US is helping to sustain the peaceand order situation of the place.
If the country will be able to alter the way modern people believe about Iraq, there will be abundance because tourists will just come and get attracted. This is avery challenging step that the country shall take since this will involve massive effort. But if gained and altered, it will definitely obtain extensive benefits and there will greatly be higher demand on its currency.
Thinking of visiting the beautiful country? We can all think of the positive possibilities rather than scrutinizing the country. It would be better if we alter the way we think and start to have a positive perception towards the country Iraq. The country was once the cradle of mankind and its previous grand image will definitely return.
Iraq has a brighter future once tourism will be officially established. It was once the ancient city of wealth and prosperity. Right from splendid hanging gardens of Babylon to Basra (this place was once regarded as the great Venice of the East), tourists will be able to roam around the premises of Iraq and explore the ancient city with their own naked eyes.
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Written by Darren Chabluk for http://www.DrDinar.com/blog
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