Where Next: Iraq and AfghanistanTouring Mess-o-potamia

When Geoff Hann led the first tourists back into Iraq last March, people thought he was nuts. Until, that is, the trip became a headline-grabbing hit and Hann booked sold-out return excursions to Iraq—and Afghanistan—departing in October (hinterlandtravel.com). Could the British guide be onto something? 

—Brendan Spiegel

ADVENTURE: Let’s start with the obvious: Why guide trips in Iraq and not, say, sunny Costa Rica?

Geoff Hann: Thirty years ago, before Saddam was in power, I did a London-to-Kathmandu overland and fell in love with the region. There are thousands of archaeological sites left behind by the likes of Alexander the Great. This is where our civilization began. I’ve led tours here ever since.

A: What makes you think these places are safe? There’s still near-daily violence in both Iraq and Afghanistan. 

GH: If you listened to the media all the time, you’d never go anywhere. If anything happens to us in Iraq or Afghanistan it will be quite by chance, just as it would be anywhere else.

A: Not really. These are active war zones we’re talking about.

GH: Well, obviously. You’re taking a risk by coming to visit these places, but it’s not as if I’m pushing it on anyone. People book these trips with me because they don’t want to go on their own—Afghanistan’s too dangerous and Iraq has too many visa restrictions to go solo. I’m the only one leading trips to these countries right now, so I’m their only option. If they weigh the risks and decide to come with me and something bad happens to them, well then, that’s just tough. 

 

A: Surely you take some precautions?

GH: On our March trip, the Iraqi government tried to give us 25 security guards for eight people, but I refused. That’s just ridiculous. Having that big a group would make us stand out; it’s a greater risk. So I compromised and took a few along with us—but three guards is the maximum I’ll travel with.

A: Won’t violence in Iraq spike with the troop pullout?  

GH: I don’t think it will make much difference. If anything, I’ve found that security measures have increased since the Iraqis started taking over. They’ve made it a lot harder for me to get permission to lead tourists places—they don’t want to be responsible if something goes wrong. 

A: So getting clearance is the biggest problem you face—and not, say, roadside bombs? 

GH: It’d take a lot for them to even know we’re coming, our itinerary changes so often. My biggest problem is trying to get the people on my trips to listen to me when I tell them what they can and cannot do. Americans are way worse about that than Europeans, since they were raised to enjoy such freedoms at home.

A: What do you think draws your clients in the first place?

GH: Well, life’s a calculated risk. At the end of the day some people take more risks than others—and get more out of life because of it.

Photograph via hinterlandtravel.com

Comments

[vacation home rentals]

This is where our civilization began. I’ve led tours here ever since.

[Hai]

Glad you post the nice talk.Thanks.
http://www.indochinadeluxetravel.com/
http://www.indochinadeluxetravel.com/vietnam-tours.html http://www.indochinadeluxetravel.com/vietnam-luxury-tours.html
http://www.indochinadeluxetravel.com/halong-cruise-tours.html http://www.indochinadeluxetravel.com/vietnam-cooking-tours.html
http://www.indochinadeluxetravel.com/vietnam-family-tours.html
http://www.indochinadeluxetravel.com/vietnam-honeymoon-tours.html
http://www.indochinadeluxetravel.com/vietnam-highlights.html
http://www.indochinadeluxetravel.com/vietnam-biking-tours.html
http://www.indochinadeluxetravel.com/hotels-in-vietnam.html

[i lipo]

That’s just ridiculous. Having that big a group would make us stand out; it’s a greater risk. So I compromised and took a few along with us—but three guards is the maximum I’ll travel with.

[beste casinoboni]

If anything happens to us in Iraq or Afghanistan it will be quite by chance, just as it would be anywhere else.

[pay day loans]

It was slated to sprawl across five miles, making it the longest single development in Hawaii. Target buyers were multi-millionaires looking for second or third homes.

[Payday loans online]

It has been seen for a couple of years that liver disease is spreading a lot.I think the main thing is the level of fats increases inside the body which will effect the leve.

[Hermes Birkin]

Really liked your article, very exciting, and gives a lot of thinking, I hope you can see more of your article, thank you

[Burberry Sale]

Thank you for your artice, it is wonderful. Wish you have a happy day.

[carpet logo mats]

It has been seen for a couple of years that liver disease is spreading a lot.I think the main thing is the level of fats increases inside the body which will effect the leve.

[payday loans]

I was actually looking for this resource a few weeks back. Thanks for sharing with us your wisdom.This will absolutely going to help me in my projects

[sleep number m7 bed]

It is the most amazing article ever read on this earth. Guess what!!! Today for the first time I read your article and in one shot I liked your article and the way you write.

[escort roma]

His plan is to take stock of the wildlife with the help of Biosphere Expeditions, which will send travelers to Rigg’s outpost for the first time this winter.

[ascensores]

I’m pushing it on anyone. People book these trips with me because they don’t want to go on their own—Afghanistan’s too dangerous and Iraq has too many visa restrictions to go solo.

[debt consolidation]

This isn't what you come across everyday, both In terms of our geography in Jerusalem and of what you can find in more mall-based stores."

[Land For Sale]

Really appreciate this wonderful post that you have provided for us.Great site and a great topic as well i really get amazed to read this.

[cheap payday loans]

If they weigh the risks and decide to come with me and something bad happens to them, well then, that’s just tough.

[cash advance]

I’m their only option. If they weigh the risks and decide to come with me and something bad happens to them, well then, that’s just tough.

[topes para estacionamiento]

If you listened to the media all the time, you’d never go anywhere. If anything happens to us in Iraq..

[cheap auto insurance in florida]

It was slated to sprawl across five miles, making it the longest single development in Hawaii. Target buyers were multi-millionaires looking for second or third homes.

[cheap auto insurance in florida]

If they weigh the risks and decide to come with me and something bad happens to them, well then, that’s just tough.

[Get Your Ex Back]

It’s a race that rivets the sports-loving country each year, and this spring it will take place for the 85th time just two weeks before the inaugural match of the 2010 World Cup.

[Land for sale UK]

I am not wrong Afghanistan is very poor country these people live under ground as there is big possibility of bomb blast any time due to terrorism.

[Premium Web Directory]

Considering that actual fight sequences only make up about ten minutes of the final film, this was quite an impressive commitment to verity

[colothin]

If they weigh the risks and decide to come with me and something bad happens to them, well then, that’s just tough.

[colothin]

Well, I'm not the type irritable, so share this page instead. Let's see what I can say. I have not seen your comment yet, though.