2006年VOA标准英语-Iraq - A Tourist Destination?

By Brian Padden
Irbil, Iraq
31 August 2006
 
watch Iraq Tourism report 

In tourism promotional ads, children are playing in the water  
  
Recently the Kurdish region of Iraq launched an international advertising¹ campaign called "The Other Iraq." The campaign tries to separate the relatively² safe northern Kurdistan from other parts of Iraq where sectarian violence is a daily occurrence.  The ads were developed to generate both business investment and tourism.  VOA's Brian Padden reports the Kurdish region has real tourism potential. 

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Iraq tourism promotional advertisement 
  
A promotional advertisement from the Kurdistan Development Corporation recently ran on U.S. television. Its message is simple -- Northern Iraq is a safe and a beautiful place to visit.  

While westerners may not be vacationing in Kurdistan just yet, Iraqis are.  At the Gali Ali Beg, Iraqis, such as Dahud Lukman, come from all over the country to enjoy the cool waters and the sense of security.

"I like this place," he says. "It's very nice.  And the tense situation back home also helped us decide to come here."

Iraq tourists visit "Miracle Spring"  
  
Kurdistan is, for the most part, a safe haven³ from the violence in southern Iraq.  It is a land of beautiful mountains and rivers, full of natural waterfalls that appeal to young and old alike.  Since the fall of Saddam Hussein this region is being rediscovered and is currently enjoying a boom in tourism.  

 
Mahadi Ramadan
  
Mahadi Ramadan owns a campground near a place called Miracle Spring.  He says people come for the water but stay for the safety. "Since last year many more people have come here and they stay for a long time.   They like this safe environment."

For now most of the tourist sites cater⁴ to local, mostly low-income visitors.   Development of modern tourist attractions, like an amusement ride, has been slow.  Douglas Leyton is director of the Kurdistan Development Corporation. He is confident that with some time and investment, Kurdistan will become a major international tourist destination.

"We have the capability⁵ here eventually to develop resort areas where there is snow skiing, for example.  Now that doesn't happen to exist in most of the Middle East.   Water rafting.  All kinds of water sports.  This is the land of water," says Leyton.

And with peace and development, Leyton says this could also be the land of opportunity. 

1 advertising   

n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的

参考例句：

• Can you give me any advice on getting into advertising? 你能指点我如何涉足广告业吗?
• The advertising campaign is aimed primarily at young people. 这个广告宣传运动主要是针对年轻人的。

2 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

3 haven   

n.安全的地方，避难所，庇护所

参考例句：

• It's a real haven at the end of a busy working day.忙碌了一整天后，这真是一个安乐窝。
• The school library is a little haven of peace and quiet.学校的图书馆是一个和平且安静的小避风港。

4 cater   

vi.(for/to)满足，迎合；(for)提供饮食及服务

参考例句：

• I expect he will be able to cater for your particular needs.我预计他能满足你的特殊需要。
• Most schools cater for children of different abilities.大多数学校能够满足具有不同天资的儿童的需要。

5 capability   

n.能力；才能；(pl)可发展的能力或特性等

参考例句：

• She has the capability to become a very fine actress.她有潜力成为杰出演员。
• Organizing a whole department is beyond his capability.组织整个部门是他能力以外的事。