Political parties dominate tourism companies in Iraq – sources

NAJAF / IraqiNews.com: Najaf tourism sources disclosed that there are tourism companies belonging to government parties that control religious tourism in Iraq. The source of Najaf Hotels Association told IraqiNews.com that out of 700 companies, only 16 are working and contracted with Iranian tourism organization. “These companies are close to governing parties”, the source added. Iraq receives 3000 Iranian visitors to the holy shrines in Najaf, Karbala, Kadhimiya and Samarra’ daily, for a ten-day trip. Iraqi authorities recently signed a contract to increase the number of Iranian visitors from 3000 to 6000 per day. Najaf lies 160 km south of the capital, Baghdad.