Iraq experienced a 10-25 percent decline in the number of tourists visiting the country from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain since the beginning of November 2001. This rate is expected to improve by the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan. An average of 45 passengers from the UAE and Bahrain visit Iraq per week compared with 450 passengers in October 2001, reported Al-Sharq Al-Awsat .
A senior executive at the Yoku Company said that travel bookings to Iraq have already nearly reached 450 passengers for the week starting December 17. The same source added that the number of cruises to Iraq have also declined following American threats to strike against Baghdad for harboring terrorism. — (menareport.com)
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
