Shafaqna English- Iraqi official figures estimate that more than 22 million pilgrims will participate in the Arbaeen pilgrimage to Karbala, including 4.5 to 5 million from abroad.
Iraq’s officials believe it to be one of the country’s greatest religious gatherings and a significant boost to tourism and the local economy.
The government has announced that tens of thousands of volunteers would be deployed to assist pilgrims, and Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has urged officials to boost the number of buses and other transport services to facilitate travel during the festival.
The surge of foreign tourists is projected to have a substantial impact on Iraq’s tourism, hospitality, transportation, and retail industries, with hotels, restaurants, transit operators, and local businesses benefiting from increased demand during the pilgrimage season.
Sources: Iraqi News