Iraq to exhibit at WTM
Tourism officials from Iraq will be exhibiting at World Travel Market for the first time.
In light of the new tourism campaign, insurance company AAIB Insurance Brokers is launching a website to provide comprehensive travel insurance to the destination.
The website, www.Iraq-travelinsurance.com, will go live on 7 November, the eve before WTM in London.
“Iraq is quite possibly the most exciting emerging destination in the world. The launch of www.Iraq-travelinsurance.com is testimony to the dynamic and vibrant country Iraq is fast becoming.†said AAIB chief executive William Wakeham.
“As a company specialising in providing insurance solutions for businesses operating in Iraq, we have witnessed a marked increase in inbound business traffic as corporations and investors recognise the opportunities Iraq presents.
“With the improving security situation, there is also a growing number of returning Iraqi diaspora and VFR (Visiting Friends & Relatives) traffic as well as significant numbers of religious pilgrims visiting the numerous sites across Iraq.
“The increased capacity and additional routes into Iraq announced in the last 12-18 months by several international airlines also speak volumes. And, whilst global tourism contracted by 4.6% in 2009, Iraq’s visitor economy grew by 31%.â€
AAIB’s Iraq travel policy is underwritten with ‘A’ rated security.
“Tourism to Iraq is in its infancy but in the not too distant future we expect to be helping intrepid adventurers and culture vultures from all over the world to fulfill their travel dreams and visit the birthplace of civilization,†Wakeham added.
Hinterland Travel, the only European tour operator with a full Iraq programme, has seven tours planned to Iraq in 2011.
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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