The Iraqi Tourism Professionals Syndicate said on Sunday that Jordan is an important destination for Iraqi tourists, thanks to its archaeological, recreational, medical and shopping attractions. The syndicate expects the number of Iraqi visitors to Jordanian cities to double in the coming period.
Head of the Iraqi Tourism Professionals Syndicate, Dr. Mohammed Odeh Al-Obaidi, said Jordan is one of the region’s prominent tourist destinations due to its diverse attractions, including commercial, recreational, tourism and medical facilities. These features make it a destination for thousands of visitors from across the Arab world, including Iraqi tourists.
Al-Obaidi welcomed the decision to simplify visa procedures between Iraq and Jordan, saying it would boost tourism between the two countries. He noted that the latest official statistics showed that more than 240,000 Iraqi visitors entered Jordan in 2023, adding that the recent facilitation measures could double that number.
He pointed out that Jordanian cities hold significant tourism and cultural appeal for Iraqi visitors. These include Petra, the historic capital of the Nabataeans and a world-renowned archaeological landmark; Aqaba, known as the “Bride of the Red Sea,” with its beautiful beaches and clear waters; and the Dead Sea, which Iraqi tourists are keen to visit for tourism, medical treatment and recreation.
He also described Jerash, known as the “City of a Thousand Columns,” as one of the most prominent archaeological centres, thanks to its rich Roman heritage, which makes it an important cultural and tourism destination for Iraqis.
Jordan’s desert destinations, particularly Wadi Rum, are also attractive to visitors for their towering mountains, alongside the country’s religious and cultural cities.
Al-Obaidi said medical tourism in Jordan is another important attraction for Iraqis, given the country’s hospitals, medical centres and healthcare facilities, particularly in the capital, Amman. He noted that Jordan is among the leading medical destinations in the region.
He added that the Jordanian and Iraqi societies share close ties rooted in geographical and social connections, including common values, customs and traditions, as well as family and marriage relations. These bonds, he said, give Jordan a special place in the hearts of Iraqis.
Al-Obaidi also highlighted Iraq’s importance as a tourist destination, pointing to its rich archaeological and tourism heritage, extending from the ruins of Babylon and the Ziggurat of Ur to Baghdad’s traditional markets and historic Nineveh, as well as the southern marshlands, lakes and mountains of the Kurdistan Region in the north.
He called for coordination with Jordanian tourism authorities to launch a new phase of joint tourism cooperation and activate collaborative programmes, particularly through organising reciprocal tourist trips and promoting tourist destinations in both countries.
The head of the Iraqi Tourism Professionals Syndicate stressed that Iraq and Jordan could become key partners in the Arab tourism industry, noting that the current phase requires moving beyond traditional relations towards joint tourism projects with economic and investment dimensions.
He affirmed the syndicate’s readiness to play an active role in any initiative or project aimed at strengthening tourism cooperation between Iraq and Jordan in a way that serves the interests of both brotherly peoples.
Source: Petra
