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Iraq launches tourism drive with skate park, ski slopes and rollercoasters
From Ferris wheels to snowy mountain ski lodges, Iraq is opening new attractions while rebuilding their war torn country in the hopes of attracting new visitors through tourism
Now that bombings aren't a daily concern for the residents of Baghdad, planners are turning their attention to expanding the Iraqi capital city – and eventually introducing a booming tourism industry.
Car bombings have grown quieter after years of violence following the fall of Saddam Hussein or at the height of the battle to push back the Islamic State group. Now, a new tourist attraction marks a new dawn for the city – or so hopes Mohammed Al-Qadi, 19, one of the first visitors over the weekend.
Baghdad's first skate park is sign of development for its citizens, with hopes it could continue to expand for eventual tourists. “I have been waiting for this moment for five years,” said Al-Qadi to AP on Saturday.
“Before, we were often forced to move or got injured because there were no proper places for us,” he said. “Now, we have a safe space, and I hope this is just the beginning.”
According to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, all travel to Iraq is strongly advised against. In fact, it advises against all but essential travel to Baghdad.
However, this hasn't stopped a growing number of intrepid travellers journeying to what was, until very recently, an active war zone. A YouTuber named Tommy Driskill documented his journey to the capital and recounted his experience enjoying a traditional Iraqi breakfast of pastries and clotted cream.
“It was peaceful, calm, and rather quiet,” Driskill told CNN Travel after visiting last year. “The street table view, though, is that of a bullet-ridden building across the road. [It was] a scar left from a darker time — in an area [that,] I was reminded, was once not suitable to stand even for five minutes on the side of the road during the war.”
This latest attraction is just one of many growing areas for the country. Introductions of sports grounds grow hope for potential theme parks and other entertainment destinations.
Currently, Iraq is reportedly a growing area for religious tourism – and even skiing. Iraq’s religious sites have long attracted tourists and pilgrims alike, including Christians.
In 2021, Pope Francis visited Ur, home to a Sumerian Ziggurat — a pyramid-like temple and shrine complex with elements thought to date to around 2,000 BCE — as well as one of the world’s oldest Christian communities. Following this, they have planned to open a new church to attract more religious pilgrimages.
The fun doesn't stop there, however, as Iraq is emerging as a key skiing destination. For a country more associated with deserts, Iraq has some great mountainous terrain in the northern semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, which several companies are starting to take advantage of.
The North Face even made promotional videos of the ski destination, attempting to get people away from the Alps and over to Baghdad.
Theme parks are also starting to pop up, with the most famous being in a neighbouring city, named Chaviland. Not to long ago, visitors often had to wear helmets and bullet proof vests to visit these amusement parks, but holiday makers are hoping this will remain a distant memory.
Guests can enjoy a high-tech arcade filled with classic games, rollercoasters and even a Ferris wheel. One Trip Advisor user left the review: "Best amusement park in all Iraq, all you need is there, Wide green spaces, scary house, a lot of rides, music fountains, love it."
UK-based tour company Untamed Borders has operated in Iraq since 2016. Founder James Wilcox. “When we started, Daesh [ISIS] controlled a large portion of the country,” he told CNN Travel.
“Visitors could only visit Federal Iraq in groups of five or more through a tortuous visa process. Now Iraq has a straightforward visa-on-arrival system, and we’ve been trying to develop different types of tourism, especially ski touring and trekking.
While police and military checkpoints are commonplace, the country is keen to continue growing its tourism industry. For now, youths at the new skatepark are pushing for recognition from the national skating federation, with a chance to compete at the Olympics.
Daily Star Sunday
From Ferris wheels to snowy mountain ski lodges, Iraq is opening new attractions while rebuilding their war torn country in the hopes of attracting new visitors through tourism
Now that bombings aren't a daily concern for the residents of Baghdad, planners are turning their attention to expanding the Iraqi capital city – and eventually introducing a booming tourism industry.
Car bombings have grown quieter after years of violence following the fall of Saddam Hussein or at the height of the battle to push back the Islamic State group. Now, a new tourist attraction marks a new dawn for the city – or so hopes Mohammed Al-Qadi, 19, one of the first visitors over the weekend.
Baghdad's first skate park is sign of development for its citizens, with hopes it could continue to expand for eventual tourists. “I have been waiting for this moment for five years,” said Al-Qadi to AP on Saturday.
“Before, we were often forced to move or got injured because there were no proper places for us,” he said. “Now, we have a safe space, and I hope this is just the beginning.”
According to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, all travel to Iraq is strongly advised against. In fact, it advises against all but essential travel to Baghdad.
However, this hasn't stopped a growing number of intrepid travellers journeying to what was, until very recently, an active war zone. A YouTuber named Tommy Driskill documented his journey to the capital and recounted his experience enjoying a traditional Iraqi breakfast of pastries and clotted cream.
“It was peaceful, calm, and rather quiet,” Driskill told CNN Travel after visiting last year. “The street table view, though, is that of a bullet-ridden building across the road. [It was] a scar left from a darker time — in an area [that,] I was reminded, was once not suitable to stand even for five minutes on the side of the road during the war.”
This latest attraction is just one of many growing areas for the country. Introductions of sports grounds grow hope for potential theme parks and other entertainment destinations.
Currently, Iraq is reportedly a growing area for religious tourism – and even skiing. Iraq’s religious sites have long attracted tourists and pilgrims alike, including Christians.
In 2021, Pope Francis visited Ur, home to a Sumerian Ziggurat — a pyramid-like temple and shrine complex with elements thought to date to around 2,000 BCE — as well as one of the world’s oldest Christian communities. Following this, they have planned to open a new church to attract more religious pilgrimages.
The fun doesn't stop there, however, as Iraq is emerging as a key skiing destination. For a country more associated with deserts, Iraq has some great mountainous terrain in the northern semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, which several companies are starting to take advantage of.
The North Face even made promotional videos of the ski destination, attempting to get people away from the Alps and over to Baghdad.
Theme parks are also starting to pop up, with the most famous being in a neighbouring city, named Chaviland. Not to long ago, visitors often had to wear helmets and bullet proof vests to visit these amusement parks, but holiday makers are hoping this will remain a distant memory.
Guests can enjoy a high-tech arcade filled with classic games, rollercoasters and even a Ferris wheel. One Trip Advisor user left the review: "Best amusement park in all Iraq, all you need is there, Wide green spaces, scary house, a lot of rides, music fountains, love it."
UK-based tour company Untamed Borders has operated in Iraq since 2016. Founder James Wilcox. “When we started, Daesh [ISIS] controlled a large portion of the country,” he told CNN Travel.
“Visitors could only visit Federal Iraq in groups of five or more through a tortuous visa process. Now Iraq has a straightforward visa-on-arrival system, and we’ve been trying to develop different types of tourism, especially ski touring and trekking.
While police and military checkpoints are commonplace, the country is keen to continue growing its tourism industry. For now, youths at the new skatepark are pushing for recognition from the national skating federation, with a chance to compete at the Olympics.
Daily Star Sunday