Obstacles to Tourism Investment in Iraq
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Ahmed Majed Badeiwi Hamza‍
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Prof. Dr. Abd Ali Kazim Al-Fatlawi‍
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Obstacles to tourism investment in Iraq:‍
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The potential and components are available for tourism to establish and grow in Iraq, but it has faced many problems and obstacles that have led to reducing the role of the tourism sector in the areas of economic development. The most prominent obstacles facing the tourism sector are as follows:‍
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First) The lack of a clear state strategy regarding tourism or according to its development, which determines the path towards achieving development in this sector and in a manner that is consistent with the size of the available capabilities.‍
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Second) The lack of an appropriate infrastructure that matches the size of these capabilities, weak services, and deficiencies in basic facilities‍
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such as roads, electricity, communications, and sewage.‍
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Third) The lack of social awareness of the importance of the tourism sector and its role in economic, environmental, and social development, and the neglect of‍
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archaeological and religious areas through negligence in maintenance, restoration, reconstruction, and conducting more‍
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excavation work. (Al-Zahrani et al., 2008: 67)‍
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Fourth) Smuggling of antiquities and artifacts, and the lack of follow-up and work to return what was stolen from them, which negatively affected the tourism sector.‍
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Fifth) The lack of distinguished tourism programs that contribute to extending the stay of tourists in the country, which would lead to weakening‍
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the tourism services provided.‍
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Sixth) Lack of sufficient data and information due to the absence of a good system of tourism information and statistics.‍
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Accordingly, the tourism sector in Iraq faces major challenges represented in the disappearance and threat of Lake Sawa‍
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and Taq Kisra in Madain and the spiral of Samarra and the ruins of Uruk and the marshes and the loss and disappearance of many important archaeological pieces. This will contribute to increasing the challenges and obstacles. (Al-Zahrani et al., 2008: 68)‍
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There are four basic rules that every investor must follow, which are as follows:‍
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A correct understanding of the nature of investment in financial markets and familiarity with different investment concepts.‍
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The ability to read the performance of companies through the available financial data and information.‍
Realizing that safe investment is that which is done in the long term, as it is known beyond doubt that long-term investment in stocks achieves greater financial returns than any other means. For those who have the time and the ability to bear some risk, there are many methods and different investment means that enable a person to achieve good returns in the short term (Al-Huwaimani, 2006: 20).‍