Iraq opens airport aimed at tourism
A report by Al Jazeera saya that A new airport has been opened in Najaf, Iraq’s Shiite holy city, with Nuri al-Maliki, the prime minister, making the inaugural flight.
Al-Hamza airport, formerly a military airport, was opened on Sunday amid hopes of a religious tourism boom in the city.
Maliki said: “It is a historic moment. It is a moment that symbolises equality among all Iraqis.”
He hoped that the opening would assist in the reconstruction of Iraq and that provinces in the rest of the country would follow the lead.
“There must be competition among other provinces when it comes to rebuilding their regions,” he said.
The shrine of Iman Ali, the son-in-law of the Prophet Mohammed, is in the southern city, and other religious sites are nearby.
Developers say that 9 million pilgrims visit the locations each year.
Planners hope that the new airport will increase the number of visitors by 10 per cent annually.
Al-Aqeelah, a Kuwaiti investment firm, has led the multi-billion dollar project. The firm also plans to build thousands of new homes and hotels in Najaf.
Kuwait has a large Shia minority.
Maliki and other government politicians are attempting to promote investment in the country.
Violence in Iraq is at a four-year low following the US-led invasion of the county in 2003.
The UN said that foreign direct investment in Iraq was $272 million in 2006.
A Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026