Iraq plans digital apps for hotel bookings and museum visits

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Tourism Authority is preparing to launch digital applications and electronic services aimed at tourists, with the rollout expected in the coming period, the authority's official spokesperson Ali Yassin Abdurrazza said. The body, affiliated with the Ministry of Culture, is working to develop the tourism sector and adapt it to digital transformation, according to the spokesperson. The planned applications will allow tourists to book hotels, visit museums and purchase tickets, with travel itineraries designed to be arranged in a flexible and streamlined way. Abdurrazza said the project has reached advanced stages and is set to be launched in the coming period. The authority also plans to introduce a virtual tourism map and a multilingual electronic tourist guide to promote Iraq's historical and tourist sites. Officials said the initiative is intended to reduce the digital gap and improve the quality of tourism services, and that it is expected to create a favorable environment for new investment in the sector. No further details on the launch date were immediately available.