Baghdad named Arab Tourism Capital for 2025

BAGHDAD — The Arab Tourism Organization announced on Tuesday that Baghdad has been chosen as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2025. This recognition comes after the city met a series of criteria designed to highlight its tourism potential and infrastructure.

The organization stated in a statement that the decision followed its participation in the 27th session of the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism at the Arab League’s headquarters. “Baghdad was selected as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2025 after meeting the standards set by the Arab Tourism Organization,” the statement read.

The criteria included indicators of tourism management, infrastructure, resources, diversity of tourism activities, environmental conservation, responsiveness to tourism developments, safety, health security, and the overall expected outcomes from tourism in the city. “The Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism welcomed this decision during its meeting,” the organization added.

Bandar bin Fahd Al-Fuhaid, President of the Arab Tourism Organization, extended his congratulations to Iraq’s President Abdul Latif Rashid, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, and the people of Iraq. “The selection of Baghdad as the Arab Tourism Capital aims to enhance inter-Arab tourism, showcase the city’s unique traditions and cultural heritage, and highlight its role in supporting Arab tourism,” he said.

He added that throughout 2025, Baghdad will host a series of events and programs aimed at boosting regional tourism. The Arab Tourism Organization, in collaboration with Iraq’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities, plans to launch an official celebration in the new year to mark this recognition.

The Arab Tourism Organization, established in 2004 and headquartered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, operates under the Arab Ministerial Council on Tourism of the Arab League. Its primary mission is to promote and develop sustainable tourism across Arab nations by coordinating efforts to formulate unified tourism policies, providing member states with essential services, and facilitating the exchange of information and expertise.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani expressed pride in the announcement, calling it a milestone for Iraq. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Al-Sudani said, “We congratulate all Iraqis on the selection of our beloved capital, Baghdad—a city of civilization, history, and culture—as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2025.”

He also acknowledged those who contributed to this achievement, emphasizing the government’s commitment to improving services and modernizing Baghdad’s infrastructure. “This would not have been possible without the great sacrifices of Iraqis and the decisive victory over terrorism, which has brought about societal and security stability,” he added.