Baghdad Named Arab Tourism Capital for 2025
New Services for Visitors
First International Tourism Fair in Baghdad
BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities announced plans to organize the first Iraqi International Travel Fair for tourism, scheduled to take place at the Baghdad International Fairgrounds in October 2025. The event will coincide with Baghdad’s designation as the Arab Capital of Tourism for 2025.
According to Mahdi Al-Saadi, Director General of the Ministry’s Department of Tourist Groups, the fair will feature participation from 500 foreign companies and 350 Arab firms. He said the event aims to match the scale and standards of global exhibitions held in cities like Berlin, London, and Dubai.
The fair will include companies specializing in travel, tourism, aviation, hotels, and cultural and heritage institutions. The Ministry is currently promoting tourist facilities and hotel offerings, along with travel programs and visit packages for participating companies.
Al-Saadi added that both local and international exhibition organizers have been invited to submit proposals for financing and implementing the event. There are also plans to host related activities on Jazirat Al-A’ras in Baghdad, depending on logistical capabilities and agreements with executing companies.
As part of its efforts to enhance tourism services, the Ministry announced the introduction of the “Arab Tourist Card (MasterCard),” which will offer secure payment options for visitors. The card allows tourists to withdraw funds from anywhere globally and includes benefits such as health insurance coverage during their stay and discounts at hotels and restaurants.
Additionally, the Ministry will launch an official digital platform offering multilingual promotional content about Iraq’s archaeological and religious sites. The platform will support digital tourism services and financial tools. An e-visa system will also be introduced, enabling visitors to obtain a visa within 48 hours.