Economist identifies weaknesses in religious tourism and confirms: Religious tourism costs us huge s

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[size=52]Economist identifies weaknesses in religious tourism and confirms: Religious tourism costs us huge sums[/size]

[size=45]Economic researcher Basem Antoine identified the weak points in the religious tourism sector in the country, while stressing that religious tourists cost the Iraqi government huge sums of money when they enter Iraq.[/size]
[size=45]Antoine explained, “There are many countries that exploit religious tourism in their countries, and achieve the highest revenues from it due to the visa that reaches the range of 40 to 50 dollars per person.” He pointed out, “The Iraqi government, due to an emotional position and without deep thinking, cannot put a specific system in place for religious tourism visas in the country, in order to achieve the minimum cost of entry for these tourists into the country.”[/size]
[size=45]Antoine stressed that “when tourists enter the country, they cost the government huge amounts of money in terms of road, airport and transportation expenses.” He added that “these tourists are from the poor classes and do not spend anything when they enter the country.”[/size]
[size=45]He explained that “the country can achieve world records in this regard, as an individual who travels 100 kilometers from his home is considered a tourist, and according to the World Tourism Organization, this tourist spends no less than $1,000. Two years ago, France achieved $84 billion due to the entry of 84 million tourists to its country, while Turkey achieved $40 billion in its tourism.”[/size]
[size=45]Antoine continued, "There is a lack of appreciation for the management of the tourism sector in Iraq." He noted that, "Despite the limited spending of tourists, there could have been a minimum, which is that the government would not spend on this tourist, from whose presence Iraq could benefit."[/size]
[size=45]He added, "Not understanding the benefits of the tourism sector as in other countries such as Lebanon and Tunisia, which achieved more than 15% of their GDP in revenues from this sector."[/size]
[size=45]He added, "All the infrastructure in the country is dilapidated, but the tourist areas are independent. An example of this is the Kurdistan region and its areas such as Dokan Dam. They are beautiful fenced areas with lakes and mountains, and they have enhanced this beauty through the security present there." He pointed out that "there is a weakness in the management of this important file in the country, which is considered an important resource for the Iraqi budget and the gross domestic product."[/size]
[size=45]The Arbaeen commemoration is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, during which Shiite Muslims, who constitute the majority in Iraq, commemorate the fortieth day of the killing of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him).[/size]
[size=45]Earlier last year, press sources announced that more than 22 million visitors from all over Iraq and abroad flocked to the city of Karbala to commemorate the Arbaeen of Imam Hussein, while the Al-Abbas’s Holy Shrine announced that “the total number of visitors to the Arbaeen of Imam Hussein in the holy Karbala governorate reached 22,019,146 visitors” in 2023, with Iranians forming the majority among foreigners, with four million Iranians participating in commemorating the anniversary.[/size]
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