Baghdad – INA

In a statement the Iraq development bank (IDB) announces: “a Memorandum was signed between Chairman of the Board Zead Khalaf Abd and the President of the Arab Tourism Organization Bandar bin Fahd Al-Fuhaid, in the presence of Iraq’s Minister of Culture and Tourism and several officials, under the patronage of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani.”

The objective of the memorandum is to enable and enhance Arab tourism into Iraq, and to issue a new ‘Arab tourism card’ in partnership with Visa, “The Arab Tourist Card will provide Arab tourists with competitive benefits, such as health insurance, while ensuring access to advantages offered by Visa, including special discounts at hotels, restaurants, and other tourist establishments, along with a wide range of competitive perks.”

This initiative marks a new beginning for enhancing Arab cooperation, promoting inter-Arab tourism, and attracting investments to support Iraq’s promising tourism sector. By combining the efforts of Iraq’s private sector with government plans to develop the tourism industry, Iraq, with its rich cultural, religious, historical, and natural treasures, is poised to become a global tourist destination.”

“IDB continues to lead in supporting sustainable development through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Arab Tourism Organization.The collaboration includes supporting tourism investments in Iraq through insurance policies, upgrading tourist facilities to achieve the highest quality standards, and launching the ‘Arab Tourist Card’ project in partnership with “Visa”.

The President added that the security and stability Iraq is witnessing have contributed to the enhancement of the tourism sector, in addition to its distinguished tourism diversity. He welcomed the proposal to establish an Arab Tourism Academy in Baghdad.

During the meeting, the importance of coordination and cooperation to rehabilitate tourist and heritage sites and promote intra-regional tourism was also emphasized.