Investment in Tourist Places and their Impact on National Income (Muthanna Governorate as a Model)

Ahmed Majed Badeiwi Hamza

Prof. Dr. Abd Ali Kazim Al-Fatlawi

The current study, which was represented by two variables (investment in tourist places and their impact on national income) and the extent to which the nature of this relationship is embodied in the field reality, contributed to the advancement of tourist destinations and their success, as the study emerged from a real problem suffered by tourist attractions, especially the current study sample (Muthanna Governorate) as a result of the lack of tourists in these places, despite the fact that they represent unique historical, archaeological and natural places. This is a result of the lack of interest in these places and their neglect by the relevant authorities. The components of tourism development in geographical, planning and economic studies in the economies of countries in general are currently considered one of the pillars of economic activities that are not subject to depletion and consumption, which must depend on sound planning for their development and investment as one of the important and vital tributaries of the economy, in addition to what it achieves in terms of dimensions other than economic returns, such as social, cultural and political dimensions. Given the importance of tourism investment as an economic activity, its economic effects are positively reflected in the path of economic and social development, therefore, discussing and analyzing such a topic can motivate the local or foreign investor to invest his money in A specific country such as Iraq, and thus achieving the desired benefits from this tourism investment, as the investor sets investment options or alternatives according to the level of return and risk, and thus providing a service to Iraqi and foreign investors and those interested in the field of tourism investment, as tourism through tourist places is considered one of the important sources of income for all countries around the world, as many countries depend on tourists who visit their countries to enjoy what they contain within them, whether it is natural scenery, antiquities or medical tourism as a main source of income. Tourism is considered, for this and several other reasons, one of the most important features that countries can have and that all governments care about. The study aims to know the impact of tourism investment on economic diversity and encourage tourism investment in cultural and religious heritage resources in order to develop tourism projects, as these investments work to increase national income and earn financial returns in hard currency by attracting foreign tourists. It also provides a significant number of direct and indirect job opportunities, as tourism is a complex industry that includes many industries such as hotel services, transportation and restaurants, tourism agencies, tourism companies, entertainment services and traditional industries, as this constitutes an important resource that contributes to the economic diversification of countries. Al-Muthanna Governorate enjoys many tourist places in various types of recreational, archaeological, historical, religious and other tourism, as mentioned in the second section that most of these places suffer from complete neglect by the concerned authorities as they lack all the elements that make them touristic. They need care from the media and to introduce them and provide reserves for those places and infrastructure and others, which makes them attractive sites for tourists from all over the country and other countries, which leads to Providing job opportunities and reducing unemployment and poverty rates in the governorate.

Keywords: Investment, tourism investment, natural tourism potential in Muthanna Governorate, national tourism income.