Terrorist Threats and the Restructuring of the Spatial Structure of the Tourism Sector in Iraq (An Analytical Study from the Perspective of Tourism Geography)

Abstract

International terrorism and violent extremism have become among the most critical challenges confronting countries worldwide because of their detrimental effects on economic sectors, particularly the tourism sector, which is highly dependent on security and stability. This study investigates the impact of terrorist threats on the spatial restructuring of the tourism sector in Iraq amid persistent security challenges. It is based on the hypothesis that combating terrorism and extremism requires raising public awareness and implementing effective policies to safeguard tourism resources and infrastructure. The study employs analytical and statistical methods to examine the relationship between terrorist activities and tourism development indicators. The findings reveal that the persistence of terrorist threats has adversely affected tourism investment and contributed to the spatial redistribution of tourism activities and facilities, while also hindering the sustainable utilization of Iraq's cultural and heritage assets. Statistical analysis further demonstrates strong positive correlations among terrorism-related indicators, indicating that increased terrorist activity is associated with higher levels of violence and broader security threats.