Bazarkurdistan:In the first four months of this year, a total of 1.7 million tourists visited the Kurdistan Region, according to a statement from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
“Currently, the level of tourism has improved compared to previous years, and our income has increased significantly. Kurdistan itself is a region of unique beauty with its attractive nature. Every foreign tourist who visits will be impressed by the hospitality of the Kurdish people and the high-quality services provided by our tourism activities,” Amal Jalal, the head of the KRG Tourism Board, said.
“Kurdistan’s tourist attractions are highly enjoyable. I am delighted that we visited here and received a warm welcome,” a tourist from Basra said.
Another tourist said, “We visit Erbil regularly and spend a good amount of time exploring tourist attractions such as Bekhal and Korek, enjoying local restaurants, and visiting ancient sites.”
Tourists from all over the world visit the Kurdistan Region, particularly Erbil. The first destination that every tourist explores is Erbil Castle. The city’s tourism industry has been growing steadily, with an increasing number of visitors each year, thanks to its stunning scenery and top-notch services.
Despite hurdles such as the war on ISIS and the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kurdistan Region’s tourism industry has expanded, with six million tourists visiting in 2022. In 2023, there were seven million tourists recorded, equaling a 16% increase from the previous year.
The KRG, as part of its Ninth Cabinet’s agenda, has emphasized the importance of tourism as an alternative to diversifying its reliance on hydrocarbon revenues. The plan includes an 8-year-long strategy to attract 20 million tourists annually.
Officials recently hosted a tourism and investment conference in Erbil, with the aim of increasing revenue and trade volume in the future. Investors from Gulf countries are showing interest in investing in Kurdistan.
Sirwan Tofiq, the Marketing Director of the Tourism Authority, stated: “The number of incoming tourists has increased during this year, with the majority of them coming from central and southern regions of Iraq, representing 80% of the total number. The remaining 20% are foreign tourists. A total of 4,763,597 tourists visited the Kurdistan region during the first half of this year.”
“The tourism sector’s revenue reached $1,198,899,000, with an average expenditure of approximately $250 per tourist during each visit,” he added.
