Tourism Boom Transforms Balakayati into Hotspot for Investment and Nature Lovers

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — The pristine climate and breathtaking natural beauty of the Balakayati area in Erbil are turning it into one of Kurdistan Region’s fastest-growing tourism destinations, attracting thousands of visitors and sparking a surge in real estate demand.

According to Halgurd Mohammed, Director of Tourism in Choman, the area welcomed over 200,000 tourists in 2024, a significant increase that has fueled local economic growth.

"Land prices have seen a notable rise, increasing by $100 per square meter—a remarkable jump for a remote area like Balakayati,” Mohammed told Kurdistan24 on Thursday. “All buyers are local citizens, which shows strong internal interest in the area’s potential.”

He emphasized that housing and tourism infrastructure are currently struggling to keep up with the growing number of visitors, especially during the popular spring and summer months. This, he said, presents a major opportunity for local entrepreneurs to invest in the tourism sector and benefit from the area's rising profile.

Thanks to its cool climate, scenic rivers, lush springs, and unique geography, Balakayati is quickly becoming a magnet for domestic travelers and tourists from across Iraq, offering a peaceful retreat from city life.

With natural beauty on its side and investment opportunities on the rise, Balakayati is carving out a promising future as a top tourism destination in the Kurdistan Region.