Nowadays airline carriers are struggling to do whatever they can to keep their customer base, never mind increasing it. Unfortunately most of these companies are met with the realization of workforce cuts and for some, even bankruptcy.
Despite the rising oil prices and the job cuts that have lately become a natural phenomenon for the many famous international airways, some countries still intend to open new airports in hopes of drumming up tourism and creating new jobs.
One of these countries is Iraq. Not taking into account that they are in war and the consequent violence in the country, the Iraqis have opened the new Al-Hamza airport in Najaf, Iraq’s Shiite holy city. The airport opened on July 20, in hopes of bringing a religious tourism boom to the city.
As was reported in ALJAZEERA.NET, Nuri al-Maliki, the Prime Minister, made the inaugural flight, saying that it will assist the reconstruction of Iraq, at the same time attracting more visitors to the ancient, historic country. Maliki said: “It is a historic moment. It is a moment that symbolizes equality among all Iraqis.”
But perhaps, this is an indication of the state of affairs in the war stricken country, GADLING reports, as a country that concentrates attention on the development of infrastructure and tourism instead of security and defense, perhaps things are looking a little brighter.
Nonetheless, Iraq indeed has plenty to offer. Before the war, its Antiquities Museum was supposed to be among the richest in the world. Iraq also boasts that the alleged remains of The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are located in Al-Hillah, one of Iraq’s central cities.
If not for the current conflict, the flow of tourism would surely rise to this destination. Hopefully some day it will be possible to visit Iraq and feel confident and secure while admiring its many ancient treasures. The Iraqis are hoping this will be sooner rather than later.
Photo:© pingnews.com
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