Economy

7 million tourists visited Kurdistan Region from Jan. to Nov.: KRG Tourism Board

“From January 2023 to November, more than seven million tourists have visited the Kurdistan Region," the Chairwoman stated.

Spindar Mohammed 2023/12/31 19:44

Felaw Pond, a touristic attraction in the Kurdistan Region's Erbil Province. (Photo: Kurdistan 24)

Kurdistan Tourism Amal Jalal Muhammad General Board of Tourism

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Amal Jalal Muhammad, Chairwoman of the General Board of Tourism, on Sunday told Kurdistan24 that seven million tourists have visited the Kurdistan Region during the first 11 months of 2023.

She added that the Board believes it can make the Kurdistan Region a "much more tourist-friendly destination by 2030" and further expand the industry.

“From January 2023 to November, more than seven million tourists have visited the Kurdistan Region," the Chairwoman stated.

Muhammad pointed out that its beauty across all seasons has attracted more tourists to visit the Region.

She also stated that they intend to highlight each Kurdish city’s unique activities so that tourists can stay longer when they visit.

“We plan to start a snow festival in Choman, Gara Mountain, and Penjwen in February,” she noted and added that the many food festivals in the cities have caused many tourists to visit these areas yearly.

Furthermore, Ibrahim Abdulmajid, spokesperson for the Board, on Saturday told Kurdistan24 that more than 200,000 tourists are expected to visit the Kurdistan Region during the capital’s New Year’s Day celebrations.

Despite hurdles such as the war on ISIS and the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kurdistan Region’s tourism industry has continued to expand, with six million tourists visiting in 2022, thus equaling a 16% increase for the current 2023 year.

The KRG has, as part of its Ninth Cabinet's agenda, emphasized the importance of tourism as an alternative to diversify its reliance on hydrocarbon revenues. The plan includes an 8-year-long strategy to attract 20 million tourists annually.

Earlier in August, the Delal Corniche was inaugurated in Zakho. The area surrounding the city's ancient bridge, known as the Pira Delal, was renovated after suffering from years of neglect.

In turn, the renovated Delal area intends to boost the city's tourism, entertainment and business sectors, in addition to providing a refined communal area for residents.

Editing by Dastan Muwaffaq