Tourists gradually return to Iraq - in pictures

Visitor numbers on the increase after 20 years of invasion and insurgency

Iraq is enjoying a revival in overseas tourism following 20 years of invasion, occupation, civil unrest and a violent extremist insurgency. Here, tourists visit the Ishtar Gate, the eighth gate to the ancient city of Babylon, situated about 100 kilometres south of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. All photos by AFP

Many western governments advise their citizens not to travel to Iraq given the danger of kidnapping and insurgent bomb attacks. Foreigners are not deterred, choosing to visit the city of Babylon to see its 4,000 years of history.

In a world that shares on social media, tourists are beginning to enjoy the cachet of their visits to an ancient city like Babylon. Bloggers say they are struck by Iraqis' kindness and hospitality.

Some western countries still formally advise against travelling to Iraq, the cradle of civilisations, but Baghdad continues to revive its tourism sector and finds many eager visitors.

Iraq has many World Heritage Sites, and cities like ancient city of Babylon have weathered centuries of war, peace, poverty and upheaval. Now they attract bloggers, vloggers and YouTube programme makers who take their adventures to a wider audience.

Emma Witters, 54, a YouTube video maker from Hawick in Scotland, visits the National Museum of Baghdad. Tourism authorities in Iraq said 107,000 foreign travellers came to Iraq in 2021, more than three times the number in 2020.

A street in the ancient city of Babylon. As tourism to Iraq is revived, many businesses are urging their government to respond by improving facilities for visitors.

A tourist photographs the ruins left by years of conflict in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. In June 2017, the Unesco listed Al Nuri Mosque, famed for its leaning minaret, was destroyed by ISIS occupiers.

A guide speaks to foreign tourists visiting the ancient city of Babylon. A mini-boom in tourism to Iraq began when Iraq began granting visas to visitors from a dozen countries last year.

A tourist shoots photos of the destruction caused by years of conflict in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul.

Tourists pose for a picture with member of the Iraqi security forces in the northern city of Mosul.

A foreign tourist examines an artefact at Beitna - 'Our house' in Arabic. Beitna is a cafe and cultural meeting place in Mosul.

Foreign tourists and envoys from Unesco visit a warehouse containing remains of archaeological artifacts from Al Nuri Mosque in Mosul, northern Iraq.

Spanish visitors to the Marshes of Jabayesh in southern Iraq tour the area by boat.

The Great Ziggurat temple at the ancient city of Ur in southern Dhi Qar province. Ur, the birthplace of the Prophet Abraham, is attracting westerners after Pope Francis visited in 2021.

Spanish visitors tour the Great Ziggurat temple at the ancient city of Ur in southern Dhi Qar province.

Spanish visitors of the Marshes of Jabayesh in southern Iraq tour the area by boat.

The Great Ziggurat temple at the ancient city of Ur in southern Dhi Qar province.

Spanish visitors tour the Great Ziggurat temple in the ancient city of Ur in southern Dhi Qar province.

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