LONDON: Iraq’s recent history of conflict, insurgency, and political upheaval has done little to bolster the country’s image as a must-visit holiday destination.
Yet, in just a few short years, the “cradle of civilization” and birthplace of agriculture, writing, and the world’s first great cities, has emerged as a credible choice for heritage tourism.
It is a role Iraq has not enjoyed since the early 20th century, when Western archaeologists swarmed the sites of Mesopotamia and well-to-do Europeans rode the Orient Express on their way to Baghdad, Babylon, and the ancient cities of Ur, Nimrud, and Nineveh.
Iraq’s economy has long been highly dependent on fossil fuels, thanks to its vast reserves of oil and gas. In 2023, it was second only to Saudi Arabia in the production of crude oil.
Many sites in Iraq still have the power to inspire awe. (AFP)
