America's North Shore Journal

Iraq’s first notable tourist, Jonah, hated it. Belched out of a whale and stuck under Ninevah’s parching, sweltering sun, the Bible says, he cared more for the plant that shaded him than for the city he was sent to save. Thousands of years later, it’s cliche to say Iraq is not everyone’s ideal daytrip. But in the six years since Saddam Hussein was deposed, conditions have reached the point at which tourism is now a viable industry. That’s where Army Master Sgt. Dave Cullen of the 34th Infantry Division comes in. “My job is to increase tourism to Iraq,” said Cullen, Multi-National Division – South’s non-commissioned officer in charge for tourism and employment. Hundreds of thousands of people already travel to Najaf, Karbala and Babil for religious events every year, Cullen said. “Some of … Read entire article »