recovering
middle east travel
recovering
iraq’s glory How the country is rebuilding tourism by restoring its many ancient and natural attractions
International visitors are arriving
This number could reach six million
at Baghdad International Airport, and
with developments and improvements,
they’re not just here to help resume
according to the Iraqi tourism ministry.
business in Iraq after recent conflict.
Sulaymaniyah
The government is now trying to
They’re here because they’re keen
promote Iraq beyond pilgrimages from
A city in the east of Iraqi
to see the country’s rich history and
neighbouring countries who visit religious
Kurdistan, Sulaymaniyah is
natural beauty. Many Iraqis are striving
shrines in the holy cities of Najaf and
becoming a tourist attraction
to change perceptions of their country
Karbala. A handful of tour operators are
due to its geography and social
by showing the world both the new Iraq
arranging trips to other heritage sites
structure. With its open-
of welcoming hotels, and the ancient
and natural beauty spots. UK-based
minded community, it’s called
Iraq renowned for some of the wonders
Hinterland Travel and Babel Tours in the
the Paris of Iraq and Kurdistan.
of civilisation.
Kurdistan Region are among those with
Archaeologists and preservationists are working to restore some of the ancient Mesopotamian ruins to their
Lake Dukan along with
official government approval to bring tour
the Darbandikhan Dam are
groups to the country.
among the places of interest.
With RJ flying to five destinations
There are a number of modern
previous glory as a way of reviving
around Iraq, we look at some of the
hotels such as Corpthorne
tourism. Currently, some two million
stunning attractions, old and new, that
Hotel Baranan, Ramada Hotel,
tourists visit Iraq each year.
are well worth a visit.
Sulaymaniyah Palace Hotel and Areen Hotel, which overlooks
Words » Noor Al Saleh
the Azadi park and mountain of Azmar.
Baghdad For many Iraqis, Baghdad is not the city you see on TV. With a population of more than seven million, the capital was once the centre of culture in the Middle East. Chosen as the Arab Capital of Culture in 2013, Baghdad authorities have
Babylon
Bazaar, one of the
south of the city. The world’s
is thought to be the birthplace
largest brick-built arch, it is
of writing and agriculture.
the last structure still standing
Babylon, 85km south of
from the ancient Persian
Baghdad, has access to the
imperial capital Ctesiphon. Other attractions include the
Its Hanging Gardens, built
National Museum of Iraq, which
by Nebuchadnezzar as an
contains precious relics from
expression of his love for his
the Mesopotamian civilization.
wife, were one of the Seven
There’s also Al Kadhimiya
Wonders of the Ancient World.
mosque, the Al-Shaheed
Babylon has recently opened
Monument, Hatra Ruins,
to tourists yet the importance
Samarra Archaeological City
Above, from top: the
of its ruins is hard to envision
and the Arahman Mosque.
Hanging Gardens of
by what is left today. Efforts to
region’s largest markets
Babylon, Firdous Square in Sulaymaniyah, and the Arch of Ctesiphon, in Baghdad
34
Ctesiphon which lies to the
Mesopotamia’s greatest city
rivers Tigris and the Euphrates.
Left: Erbil’s Qaysari
started to restore the Arch of
Baghdad Rayhaan by
revive its ruins are underway.
Rotana is one of the new hotels
Iraqis hope it will attract tourists
devleoped in the city, located
as it did up to the 1980s.
near the Baghdad Mall. » 35
middle east travel
Clockwise from top: Canoes on Basra’s lagoons, Erbil’s 7,000-year-old Citadel, a bird’s eye view of Mosul
Basra
Erbil
It was once called the Venice of the East
Northern Iraq’s capital of the Kurdistan
due to its canals that spread throughout
Region is the oldest continuously inhabited
the metropolis. Located on the Shatt al-
city in the world and was recently selected
Arab river in southern Iraq, Basra is Iraq’s
as the Arab Capital of Tourism in 2014.
main port. The legendary home of Sinbad
Unlike the rest of the country, which has
the Sailor, it’s considered one of the most
just started to recover, Erbil has had a head
beautiful and romantic parts of Iraq, being
start due to its isolated location.
surrounded by lush greenery and water. The scene of the canoes gliding on the
The city is blessed with beautiful nature and incredible highland landscapes. Five-
lagoons is a joy. If you like bird watching,
star hotels, shopping malls and fast food
Mosul
it’s also the place for you. For old-world
outlets are abundant in the centre. Its
Located in northern Iraq, Mosul is known for
atmosphere, visit Ashar, the heart of the
state-of-the-art airport stands in contrast
the architectural features and decorative
city, with the balconies of old houses
to the 7,000-year-old Citadel, a UNESCO
work of its mosques, castles, monasteries
leaning over the narrow streets.
World Heritage Site, which is currently
and schools. The atmospheric maze of
being restored.
narrow streets and 19th century houses
The people of Basra, along with foreign investors, are trying to increase
Across from the Citadel is Qaysari
add to the uniqueness of this city. Its
the appeal of the city by building new
Bazaar, where you will find the region’s
impressive markets are packed with an
hotels and reviving the island of Sinbad.
specialities of honey, dairy products and
eclectic mix of people: Kurds, Assyrians, Iraqi
Iraq’s southern marshes are to become
fresh walnuts. A walk inside the alleyways
Turkmens, Armenians, Yazidis, Mandeans,
a centre of eco-tourism based around
of the covered bazaar puts you in touch
Roma and Shabaks.
floating hotels and guided wildlife tours and
with a culture of friendship and nobility
will encourage tourists to stay more in the
untouched by time.
area. Basra International Hotel is the area’s five-star hotel.
Iraq’s southern marshes are to become a centre for eco-tourism based around floating hotels 36
In its efforts to receive three million
The city is also home to the University of Mosul, one of the largest educational and research centres in Iraq and the Middle
visitors this year, Erbil is to host a range
East. It is worth visiting the Mosul Museum
of activities from winter ice-skating to
which exhibits many ancient relics from the
an international marathon and beauty
regions of Nineveh and Nimrud.
contest. One of city’s popular day trip destinations is Gali Ali Bag, a mountain
One of the best hotels in the area is Ninawa International Hotel.
resort whose picture is engraved on the Iraqi currency. Erbil Rotana and Divan Erbil
RJ flies to Baghdad, Basra, Erbil, Mosul and
are recommended hotels in the city.
Sulaymaniyah. Visit rj.com
recovering
iraq’s glory How the country is rebuilding tourism by restoring its many ancient and natural attractions
International visitors are arriving
This number could reach six million
at Baghdad International Airport, and
with developments and improvements,
they’re not just here to help resume
according to the Iraqi tourism ministry.
business in Iraq after recent conflict.
Sulaymaniyah
The government is now trying to
They’re here because they’re keen
promote Iraq beyond pilgrimages from
A city in the east of Iraqi
to see the country’s rich history and
neighbouring countries who visit religious
Kurdistan, Sulaymaniyah is
natural beauty. Many Iraqis are striving
shrines in the holy cities of Najaf and
becoming a tourist attraction
to change perceptions of their country
Karbala. A handful of tour operators are
due to its geography and social
by showing the world both the new Iraq
arranging trips to other heritage sites
structure. With its open-
of welcoming hotels, and the ancient
and natural beauty spots. UK-based
minded community, it’s called
Iraq renowned for some of the wonders
Hinterland Travel and Babel Tours in the
the Paris of Iraq and Kurdistan.
of civilisation.
Kurdistan Region are among those with
Archaeologists and preservationists are working to restore some of the ancient Mesopotamian ruins to their
Lake Dukan along with
official government approval to bring tour
the Darbandikhan Dam are
groups to the country.
among the places of interest.
With RJ flying to five destinations
There are a number of modern
previous glory as a way of reviving
around Iraq, we look at some of the
hotels such as Corpthorne
tourism. Currently, some two million
stunning attractions, old and new, that
Hotel Baranan, Ramada Hotel,
tourists visit Iraq each year.
are well worth a visit.
Sulaymaniyah Palace Hotel and Areen Hotel, which overlooks
Words » Noor Al Saleh
the Azadi park and mountain of Azmar.
Baghdad For many Iraqis, Baghdad is not the city you see on TV. With a population of more than seven million, the capital was once the centre of culture in the Middle East. Chosen as the Arab Capital of Culture in 2013, Baghdad authorities have
Babylon
Bazaar, one of the
south of the city. The world’s
is thought to be the birthplace
largest brick-built arch, it is
of writing and agriculture.
the last structure still standing
Babylon, 85km south of
from the ancient Persian
Baghdad, has access to the
imperial capital Ctesiphon. Other attractions include the
Its Hanging Gardens, built
National Museum of Iraq, which
by Nebuchadnezzar as an
contains precious relics from
expression of his love for his
the Mesopotamian civilization.
wife, were one of the Seven
There’s also Al Kadhimiya
Wonders of the Ancient World.
mosque, the Al-Shaheed
Babylon has recently opened
Monument, Hatra Ruins,
to tourists yet the importance
Samarra Archaeological City
Above, from top: the
of its ruins is hard to envision
and the Arahman Mosque.
Hanging Gardens of
by what is left today. Efforts to
region’s largest markets
Babylon, Firdous Square in Sulaymaniyah, and the Arch of Ctesiphon, in Baghdad
34
Ctesiphon which lies to the
Mesopotamia’s greatest city
rivers Tigris and the Euphrates.
Left: Erbil’s Qaysari
started to restore the Arch of
Baghdad Rayhaan by
revive its ruins are underway.
Rotana is one of the new hotels
Iraqis hope it will attract tourists
devleoped in the city, located
as it did up to the 1980s.
near the Baghdad Mall. » 35
middle east travel
Clockwise from top: Canoes on Basra’s lagoons, Erbil’s 7,000-year-old Citadel, a bird’s eye view of Mosul
Basra
Erbil
It was once called the Venice of the East
Northern Iraq’s capital of the Kurdistan
due to its canals that spread throughout
Region is the oldest continuously inhabited
the metropolis. Located on the Shatt al-
city in the world and was recently selected
Arab river in southern Iraq, Basra is Iraq’s
as the Arab Capital of Tourism in 2014.
main port. The legendary home of Sinbad
Unlike the rest of the country, which has
the Sailor, it’s considered one of the most
just started to recover, Erbil has had a head
beautiful and romantic parts of Iraq, being
start due to its isolated location.
surrounded by lush greenery and water. The scene of the canoes gliding on the
The city is blessed with beautiful nature and incredible highland landscapes. Five-
lagoons is a joy. If you like bird watching,
star hotels, shopping malls and fast food
Mosul
it’s also the place for you. For old-world
outlets are abundant in the centre. Its
Located in northern Iraq, Mosul is known for
atmosphere, visit Ashar, the heart of the
state-of-the-art airport stands in contrast
the architectural features and decorative
city, with the balconies of old houses
to the 7,000-year-old Citadel, a UNESCO
work of its mosques, castles, monasteries
leaning over the narrow streets.
World Heritage Site, which is currently
and schools. The atmospheric maze of
being restored.
narrow streets and 19th century houses
The people of Basra, along with foreign investors, are trying to increase
Across from the Citadel is Qaysari
add to the uniqueness of this city. Its
the appeal of the city by building new
Bazaar, where you will find the region’s
impressive markets are packed with an
hotels and reviving the island of Sinbad.
specialities of honey, dairy products and
eclectic mix of people: Kurds, Assyrians, Iraqi
Iraq’s southern marshes are to become
fresh walnuts. A walk inside the alleyways
Turkmens, Armenians, Yazidis, Mandeans,
a centre of eco-tourism based around
of the covered bazaar puts you in touch
Roma and Shabaks.
floating hotels and guided wildlife tours and
with a culture of friendship and nobility
will encourage tourists to stay more in the
untouched by time.
area. Basra International Hotel is the area’s five-star hotel.
Iraq’s southern marshes are to become a centre for eco-tourism based around floating hotels 36
In its efforts to receive three million
The city is also home to the University of Mosul, one of the largest educational and research centres in Iraq and the Middle
visitors this year, Erbil is to host a range
East. It is worth visiting the Mosul Museum
of activities from winter ice-skating to
which exhibits many ancient relics from the
an international marathon and beauty
regions of Nineveh and Nimrud.
contest. One of city’s popular day trip destinations is Gali Ali Bag, a mountain
One of the best hotels in the area is Ninawa International Hotel.
resort whose picture is engraved on the Iraqi currency. Erbil Rotana and Divan Erbil
RJ flies to Baghdad, Basra, Erbil, Mosul and
are recommended hotels in the city.
Sulaymaniyah. Visit rj.com
