Basra Roadshow
Expansion of historical, health tourism with Iraq ‘essential,’ says minister
Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Reza Salehi Amiri, urged the expansion of historical and health tourism between Iran and Iraq in a video message delivered at the opening of the first Iran-Iraq tourism roadshow in Basra.
He described the two nations as “linked by cultural, civilizational, political, religious and historical relations,” noting that they share interests across multiple markets, ILNA reported.
Salehi Amiri highlighted the centuries-old bonds forged through pilgrimage sites such as Najaf, Karbala, Kadhimiya, and the shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad.
“The people of Iran belong to Islam and Ahl al-Bayt,” he said, underlining the depth of religious and cultural ties.
He added that Iraq serves as “Iran’s first home in the region and the world,” making it a central target for Iran’s tourism initiatives.
The minister also promoted Iran’s medical tourism sector, citing its specialized doctors, equipped hospitals, and affordable treatment costs.
He said Iran can host Iraqi visitors seeking healthcare, in addition to cultural and pilgrimage tourism.
Salehi Amiri called for strengthened cooperation in preserving and promoting the shared historical heritage of both nations, noting Iran’s 29 UNESCO-listed sites and 27 intangible cultural heritage entries as a foundation for further collaboration.
The roadshow, taking place from October 6 to 9 in Basra, Baghdad and Karbala, involves a 40-member Iranian delegation from major travel agencies, airlines, hotels, and digital platforms.
Hormatollah Rafiei, head of the Association of Iranian Travel Agencies, said bilateral tourism should no longer focus solely on Western visitors.
He stated that “the largest volume of tourism exchange must occur between Iran and Iraq,” citing France and Turkey, which attract most foreign visitors from neighboring countries, as models.
He stressed that the roadshow should mark the start of increased tourist flows and help stimulate both nations’ economies.
Head of the Basra Tourism Department Hussein Al-Rafiei, and Basra lawmaker in Iraqi Parliament, welcomed the Iranian delegation and expressed appreciation for their participation. “We will not only use the experience of the Iranian team but also provide full support for private-sector tourism cooperation,” he said.
He added that the event is designed to showcase opportunities and capacities for joint development, with the aim of a significant rise in tourist exchanges between the two nations.
According to Iranian officials, more than 11 million tourists travelled between Iran and Iraq last year, including 8 million Iranians visiting Iraq and 3.4 million Iraqis visiting Iran.
Moslem Shojaei, the director of marketing and foreign tourism development at Iran's Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, called the cross-border movement “a unique opportunity for the private sector” to expand collaboration.
He said the roadshow highlights Iran’s safety, infrastructure, and readiness to host Iraqi tourists, not only for pilgrimage but also for recreation, shopping, and medical tourism.
Shojaei added that tourism is a vehicle for understanding cultures, fostering dialogue, and promoting peace. “It has become a major cultural and economic power,” he said.