Iraq receives 145% more foreign visitors in 2021

Iraq waived the visa requirements for citizens of many economically powerful countries last year in a bid to attract tourists and businesspeople.
Passengers from Iran arrive to Najaf airport after it reopened on July 16, 2018.
Passengers from Iran arrive at Najaf airport after it reopened, Iraq, July 16, 2018. - Haidar Hamdani/AFP via Getty Images
Al Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East
Al-Monitor Staff

Iraqi authorities have reported a big increase in foreign visitors. 

Iraq’s Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement Feb. 10 that 4,908,797 foreigners visited Iraq in 2021. This constituted a 145% increase in visitors from 2020, according to the statement. This means around 2 million foreigners came to Iraq in 2020. 

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