Iraq nominates Erbil the capital of Arab Tourism
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Baghdad - Erbil has been nominated to be the Arab capital of tourism by the Iraqi Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. The announcement came at the re-opening of the Iraqi National Museum on Tuesday.
The French Committee responsible for returning antiquities and artifacts, Iraq's cultural heritage, that were stolen and smuggled to Europe after the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.
Minister for Tourism and Antiquities Liwa Smeisim said: "We hope that the Capital of Arab Tourism Conference in 2015 will be hosted in Erbil city, the best tourist city in Iraq. We chose Erbil because it is safe and has all tourist require."
Erbil came second in an table of tourist destinations compiled by CheapFlights.com, a British travel company. Turkish city Bodrum was first and Hawaii came third.
The Cheapflights site said Erbil was placed second because of its relative stability and it attracts businessmen.
The French Committee responsible for returning antiquities and artifacts, Iraq's cultural heritage, that were stolen and smuggled to Europe after the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.
Minister for Tourism and Antiquities Liwa Smeisim said: "We hope that the Capital of Arab Tourism Conference in 2015 will be hosted in Erbil city, the best tourist city in Iraq. We chose Erbil because it is safe and has all tourist require."
Erbil came second in an table of tourist destinations compiled by CheapFlights.com, a British travel company. Turkish city Bodrum was first and Hawaii came third.
The Cheapflights site said Erbil was placed second because of its relative stability and it attracts businessmen.