Published on
August 31, 2025
Iran and Iraq have strengthened their tourism cooperation through a new agreement aimed at boosting health, religious, and cultural travel between the two nations. This agreement reflects the growing desire to expand tourism beyond traditional religious pilgrimages, with both countries focusing on diversifying their offerings. By promoting health tourism, showcasing rich cultural traditions, and highlighting key religious sites, the partnership aims to attract a broader range of international visitors. This collaboration is expected to not only increase tourism numbers but also foster deeper cultural exchanges and economic growth for both nations.
The agreement is a direct response to the desire of the private sector in both countries to promote tourism beyond its traditional religious roots, specifically pilgrimage tourism. Iranian tour operators will soon visit major Iraqi cities, including Baghdad, Basra, and Karbala, as part of a tourism roadshow aimed at strengthening tourism ties. The roadshow, organized by Iran’s travel agencies, will focus on four core sectors: cultural tourism, pilgrimage tourism, health tourism, and scientific tourism. These sectors were identified after extensive discussions between Iranian travel agencies and Iraq’s state and private tourism sectors.
This roadshow is significant as it marks the first event of its kind organized by the Iranian tourism sector since the Islamic Revolution. Its primary goal is to highlight tourism as a catalyst for economic growth and cultural exchange between the two countries. Iranian cultural officials in Iraq have expressed strong support for the initiative, recognizing Iraq’s crucial role as one of the largest sources of inbound tourism to Iran. Currently, Iran welcomes approximately 3.5 million tourists from Iraq each year, with efforts underway to increase this number to five million by the year’s end.
A central aspect of this partnership is the expansion of tourism beyond the traditional focus on religious pilgrimages. Both Iran and Iraq are rich in history and culture, offering opportunities to attract a broader range of visitors. While pilgrimage tourism, or Ziyarat, has historically been the cornerstone of travel between the two countries, with millions visiting sacred sites each year, there is a growing emphasis on diversifying tourism offerings. Iraq’s revered Shi’a shrines in Karbala and Najaf continue to draw large numbers of Iranian pilgrims, while Iran’s key religious sites, including those in Mashhad and Qom, remain major destinations for Iraqi travelers. In addition, cities like Shiraz, known for their Islamic heritage and beautiful mosques, also see significant religious tourism.
However, the tourism landscape between Iran and Iraq is evolving, with both countries looking to broaden their tourism offerings. Iran, for example, is home to world-renowned historical sites such as Persepolis and Isfahan, which are registered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These ancient cities offer unique experiences for history enthusiasts and cultural travelers, providing a glimpse into the Persian Empire’s grandeur. Similarly, Iraq’s ancient ruins, including those of Babylon, one of the world’s oldest civilizations, offer a rich historical backdrop for tourists interested in archaeology.
The collaboration between the two countries extends beyond religious and historical tourism to include a strong focus on cultural tourism. Both nations are keen to highlight their rich traditions in music, crafts, and cuisine. Their shared cultural heritage fosters mutual respect and creates exciting opportunities for cultural exchange, which plays a significant role in attracting visitors. For example, the culinary traditions of Iran and Iraq, which have common roots, offer a unique opportunity to develop food-centric tourism experiences. In addition, the traditional arts and crafts from both countries provide travelers with the chance to explore distinctive handicrafts and cultural treasures.
Nature-based tourism, particularly eco-tourism, is an area with significant growth potential for both nations. Iran’s varied landscapes, from expansive deserts to verdant forests, offer a wide range of outdoor activities, including trekking, wildlife observation, and eco-friendly tours. Similarly, Iraq boasts stunning natural features such as the southern marshlands and the towering Zagros Mountains in the north, providing excellent opportunities for eco-tourism. These awe-inspiring environments are not only visually captivating but also support diverse wildlife, making them ideal destinations for environmentally conscious travelers.
As both Iran and Iraq aim to strengthen their tourism relations, the potential for growth in sectors like historical tourism, cultural exchange, and eco-tourism is substantial. Expanding beyond religious travel, the two nations are paving the way for broader tourism exchanges that will attract a diverse range of international visitors. By focusing on mutual interests in culture, history, nature, and health, this growing partnership has the potential to reshape the tourism landscape in both countries, contributing to deeper connections and stronger economic ties.
The expanded cooperation between Iran and Iraq in tourism holds great potential. With ongoing collaboration, both nations are set to see significant growth in their tourism sectors, creating new economic opportunities while strengthening cultural ties. As tourism continues to grow, both countries are likely to experience increased travel, economic advantages, and a deeper cultural connection, ultimately contributing to greater regional unity.
