It appears, that due to the increase of Iraqi returnees and contractors to the occupied country, a business opportunity has arisen in the form of travel and tourism.

As we have already seen, with Babylon being turned into a US military base in 2003, along with the destruction of the tomb of Michel Aflaq in that same year, it appears that what the occupation is actually wanting; is an added strip along Los Vegas, rather than a country of freedom which has been so majestically promised.

According to the Independent on 7/11/2005, there are now plans to build in Baghdad a five star 23 storey hotel, transform “an opulent palace complex” into a theme park, along with golf clubs and conference centres.

There are also plans to turn Saddams palaces in Tikrit, into a “themed” tourist spot, where “international visitors will also be able to see the kind of life style Saddam enjoyed”.

All of this is being planned by Iraqi businessmen, who have been “donated” the land by the ever generous Iraqi government. Of course for now, most of the plans are being kept under lock and key for obvious “security reasons”, but what has already been figured out is the need to build the plush hotels to “with stand mortar and rocket attacks”.

The new tourism boom in Iraq, is being given a helping hand by the Iraqi Tourist board, which has an alleged staff of around 2,400 people and around 14 new offices. The Iraqi government has already declared one part of Iraq as being open for business.

The area is Basra but eager tourists must take the following points on board, as clearly stated by an Iraqi official. “Tourists should dress like locals and maybe dye their hair. And they should have armed guards and always be vigilant.”