B2B Travel Portal for Travel Agencies in Iraq
Short answer: Licensed travel agencies in Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region, can use QuickOTA's free B2B Panel to search, book and ticket flights without IATA accreditation. QuickOTA issues the ticket. You need a registered company and a valid tourism company licence from the Iraqi Tourism Board, or from the Kurdistan Region's Board of Tourism if you operate there. There is no setup fee and no minimum deposit.
Iraqi agencies sell flights for pilgrimage, family visits, study, medical travel and holidays, and many are now building their own online booking platforms. This page explains how licensing works in federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, what Iraqi agencies should look for in a B2B platform, and how QuickOTA fits.
Key takeaways
- In federal Iraq, tourism companies are licensed by the Iraqi Tourism Board, part of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities.
- In the Kurdistan Region, travel agencies are licensed through the General Board of Tourism and its governorate directorates.
- An Iraqi agency without IATA accreditation can sell flights through a B2B platform that issues the ticket.
- QuickOTA B2B Panel access is free, with no setup fee and no minimum deposit.
- Agencies building their own platform can use QuickOTA's flight booking API, currently free for agencies with their own technical team.
How are travel agencies licensed in Iraq?
Iraq has two licensing systems for travel agencies. In federal Iraq, tourism and travel companies are licensed by the Iraqi Tourism Board, which falls under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities. In the Kurdistan Region, agencies apply through the General Directorate of Tourism in their governorate, under the region's General Board of Tourism.
Federal Iraq (Baghdad, Basra, Najaf, Karbala and other governorates) - The Iraqi Tourism Board licenses tourism companies and has said it acts against unlicensed operators. Shafaq News, Channel8
Kurdistan Region (Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Duhok, Halabja) - New travel agency licences and renewals go through the General Directorate of Tourism in the relevant governorate, with inspection before the licence is issued. The official service portal lists the current documents and steps. KRG service portal: travel agency licence, renewal
Last checked: 30 October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. Requirements and fees change; confirm them with the Iraqi Tourism Board or your governorate's Directorate of Tourism before you apply.
To open a QuickOTA agency account, you need your company registration and your tourism company licence from the relevant Iraqi authority. You do not need IATA accreditation.
What do Iraqi travel agencies need from a B2B platform?
Iraqi agencies usually need reliable ticketing without IATA accreditation, clear total prices so they can quote in dinars or dollars, a payment model that does not lock cash in large deposits, and, for larger agencies, an API to power their own booking website or app. Seasonal peaks around religious travel and holidays also make fast booking important.
| Need in Iraq | Why it matters | How QuickOTA handles it |
|---|---|---|
| Ticketing without IATA | Accreditation has ongoing costs and obligations | QuickOTA issues the ticket |
| Quote in IQD or USD | Customers pay in both currencies | Full cost, including the itemised service fee, shown before you book; you set your price |
| Low cash commitment | Working capital is tight for small agencies | Prepaid wallet, no minimum deposit |
| Seasonal peaks | Pilgrimage and holiday seasons bring demand spikes | Search, hold and ticket in the panel without waiting for a reply |
| Own booking platform | Many Iraqi agencies are launching B2C or B2B sites | Flight booking API, currently free for agencies with their own technical team |
How does QuickOTA work for an Iraqi agency?
An Iraqi agency books flights in the QuickOTA B2B Panel, pays from its prepaid wallet and receives the e-ticket in its booking details. QuickOTA issues the ticket. The agency then charges its customer at its own price, in dinars or dollars. There is no subscription to use the panel and no setup fee.
- Search the route and check the fare rules and full price.
- Hold the booking to create the PNR (Passenger Name Record).
- Top up your wallet with the amount you need. There is no minimum.
- Ticket the booking and send the e-ticket to your traveller.
- After the sale, request changes, cancellations or refunds from the panel and see the quote before you accept.
Illustrative example (hypothetical numbers): an agency in Erbil books a one-way flight. The panel shows a total cost of USD 300, including the itemised service fee. The agency sells it to its customer for USD 330, or the equivalent in IQD at its own exchange rate, and keeps the difference.
Building your own booking platform in Iraq
Several Iraqi agencies are launching their own B2C or B2B booking systems. QuickOTA's flight booking API lets your developers search flights, price offers, create bookings, issue tickets and manage post-booking requests from your own system. It uses API keys, webhooks and an OpenAPI-documented developer portal. The API currently covers flights only.
The API is currently free for agencies whose technical team can build the integration; we confirm this in a call before you start. If your project needs more support from our team, we quote a fee. If you prefer not to build anything, a white-label booking website, available in Arabic with right-to-left layout, is the alternative.
Checklist before you start selling flights in Iraq
- [ ] Your company is registered in Iraq
- [ ] You hold a valid tourism company licence (Iraqi Tourism Board, or the Kurdistan Region's Directorate of Tourism)
- [ ] You have a way to top up the wallet (online payment or bank deposit)
- [ ] You have clear terms for your customers on changes and refunds
- [ ] For API projects: you have a developer or team ready to integrate
FAQs
Does QuickOTA accept travel agencies in Iraq?
Yes. QuickOTA accepts Iraqi travel agencies, including agencies in the Kurdistan Region, that are registered companies with a valid tourism company licence from the relevant Iraqi authority. IATA accreditation is not required.
Who licenses travel agencies in Iraq?
In federal Iraq, the Iraqi Tourism Board, under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities, licenses tourism companies. In the Kurdistan Region, agencies apply through the General Directorate of Tourism in their governorate. Check the current requirements with the authority before applying.
Can I sell to customers in Iraqi dinars?
Yes. You see your full cost in the panel before you book, then set your own price for your customer in dinars or dollars. Your margin is the difference after your exchange rate.
Is the flight booking API free for Iraqi agencies?
It can be. QuickOTA currently offers the flight booking API free to agencies with their own technical team, confirmed in a call. If your project needs more support from our team, we quote a fee.
Can I book hotels or group travel on QuickOTA?
Not yet. Flights are live today. Hotels, tours, visas and group requests are coming soon and will be added in stages.