Why 2.7 Plus Billion People Worry for Iraq and How Iraq Can Take Advantage of this Popularity

 

Iraq, once battered by conflict, insurgencies, and political turmoil, is now working to reshape its image—and revive its tourism sector. Known as the cradle of civilization, the country is promoting its rich archaeological legacy to attract visitors and diversify its oil-dependent economy.

In the early 20th century, travelers and archaeologists flocked to Mesopotamia’s ancient sites—Baghdad, Babylon, Ur, Nineveh, and more. But decades of instability largely sidelined Iraq from the global heritage-tourism map. Today, the nation is striving to change that.

Although oil and gas still dominate Iraq’s economy—making it one of the world’s leading crude producers—the country’s leaders recognize the need for new sources of revenue. Iraq’s President, Abdul Latif Rashid, emphasized during the announcement of Baghdad as the 2025 Arab Tourism Capital that tourism has value beyond money: it builds bridges across cultures and promotes understanding.

The strategy appears to be paying off. According to University of Basra economist Nabil Al-Marsoumi, tourism revenues increased from $4.6 billion in 2023 to $5.7 billion in 2024—a jump of some 25 percent. While much of that growth stems from religious tourism, interest in Iraq’s historical and cultural heritage is clearly rising.

The World Monuments Fund (WMF), collaborating with Iraq’s State Board of Antiquities and Heritage, is helping to restore and protect key archaeological sites. According to WMF CEO Benedicte de Montlaur, Iraq’s cultural wealth ranks among the richest globally—and unlocking its tourism potential demands careful, sustainable planning.

One milestone was the inscription of Babylon on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2019, which helped renew international attention toward Iraq’s historical treasures. De Montlaur notes that as long as conservation is prioritized, heritage sites can form the foundation of a sustainable tourism network across the country.

Archaeologist Roger Matthews (University of Reading) observes that domestic cultural tourism is already growing: Iraqis from southern regions increasingly spend summers in the north (particularly in the Kurdistan region), visiting archaeological sites and natural landscapes. Foreign tourists, too, are beginning to arrive to see the iconic ruins, museums, and heritage landmarks.

Matthews formerly headed RASHID International, an organization dedicated to preserving Iraq’s endangered heritage. In a sign of progress, he says the group recently folded—because many large-scale international heritage projects are now operating in Iraq independently.

Still, the path ahead is challenging. Years of war and neglect have inflicted serious damage on Iraq’s heritage. For example:

• In 2003, a US military base was constructed within Babylon’s historic core, resulting in the destruction or alteration of features like the Ishtar Gate and the Processional Way.

• Between 2014 and 2017, IS (Daesh) destroyed parts of Nineveh’s walls, looted artifacts, and demolished structures such as the 12th-century al-Nouri Mosque near Mosul.

Despite that, many ancient structures remain powerful reminders of Iraq’s past. The partially restored Ziggurat of Ur—located in southern Iraq near Al-Nasiriyyah—is among the most evocative relics. Sites like Hatra, Babylon, the Assyrian citadels of Nineveh and Nimrud, and Ur all offer profound windows into the origins of cities, writing, art, and civilization itself.

Looking ahead, the Mosul Cultural Museum—being renovated with support from institutions like ALIPH, the Smithsonian, and the Louvre—is slated to reopen in 2026 as a hub of learning and pride. If stability and investment hold, Iraq’s cultural sites could anchor a vibrant and sustainable heritage tourism network, helping the country reclaim both its past and its future.