A tourism delegation from Iraq’s Babil governorate, also called Babylon Province, entered Iran’s Ilam Province via Mehran border terminal on April 22, IRNA reported.
The Iraqi delegation was received by Ilam governor Naser Khoshkhabar and a number of local officials.
Following an invitation from Ilam governor general Mohammadreza Morvarid, seven Iraqi officials led by Babil deputy governor Wisam Asslan S’oud Mashhad visited Ilam to expand tourism ties, director general of provincial Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO) Abdolmalek Shanbezadeh said.
After arriving in Mehran, the delegation visited Zingan Cave, Konjancham historical fort, Vali Fort, and shrine of Ali Saleh (AS) in Salehabad. Ilam’s officials are set visit Babil Governorate. The mutual visits will hopefully result in a memorandum of understanding for exchange of tourists between the two provinces, Shanbezadeh said.
Due to its proximity to Iraq and the plethora of historical and natural attractions, Ilam could become a major destination for Iraqi tourists, he said. According to Shanbezadeh, visa waiver for citizens of Iraqi provinces adjacent to Ilam can attract tourists and boost the tourism industry.
