Corona disrupts religious tourism in Karbala

Shafaq News / The MP Riyadh Al-Masoudi confirmed today, Saturday, that the measures of  Covid-19 have caused the suspension of more than 600 hotels in Karbala and a 95% reduction of religious tourism calling for compensating to the hotel owners and tourism companies.

Al-Masoudi told Shafaq News agency, "The Corona pandemic has almost stopped religious tourism and the hotels and tourism companies from work in Karbala, Najaf, Kadhimiya, Samarra and other areas of the country."

Al-Masoudi pointed out that "in regular days, Karbala received 100 million visitors annually, which insure large financial imports that have support the governorate’s economy over the past years."

Al-Masoudi called on the Iraqi government to "compensate hotel owners and tourism companies by 25% of the annual profits while exempting them from the fees for water, electricity and taxes," noting that "the Iraqi government is responsible for paying as other countries do."

 It is noteworthy that Karbala governorate witnessed during the past week demonstrations demanding the opening of checkpoints for tourism companies and the reduction of fees.