Not something I ever thought I’d see.
“A lot of YouTubers and influencers from the West started coming,” Haroun, a native of the ancient city of Babylon, told Middle East Eye.
Iraq: Western YouTubers and influencers a new ‘phenomenon’ for tourism, Middle East Eye
And apparently this has been going on for a while now. The security situation has gotten better, for sure, but it seems that the proximate cause is the easing of entry requirements.
But the Iraqi government also took a big step in March 2021 when it decided to allow citizens from countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and European Union countries to obtain a visa on arrival at airports or land and sea borders.
Before, the cumbersome process to get a tourist visa could take months and cost thousands of dollars. Even more enticing for some, Iraq did away with the requirement that tourists have a government-approved guide with them.
Agreed. Getting a visa in advance coupled with a government-sponsored minder would be a major hindrance to visiting.
I’ve watched a couple of the videos, and they’re a bit mind-boggling to watch.
This is a good development. I hope it continues.
Could you even imagine?
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