Akre Designated 'Newroz Capital,' Set for Major Redevelopment and $150M Tourism Push
Akre has been named the 'Capital of Newroz,' and will now host official celebrations. A $150 million tourism project, including hotels and an aquapark, is underway to transform the city into a major tourist hub and accommodate a surge in visitors.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The historic district of Akre is poised for a monumental transformation after being officially designated the "Capital of Newroz" by order of the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, a move that will see the city host the region's main celebrations and launch a sweeping, multi-million-dollar tourism development plan.
This new status cements Akre's cultural significance and is set to reshape its infrastructure, turning the ancient city into a premier destination for both national events and international tourism.
Following the Prime Minister's decree, preparations are underway to elevate Akre's annual Newroz festivities to a major state-sanctioned event. Amin Salim, the Director of Tourism in Akre, confirmed to Kurdistan24 on Tuesday that future celebrations will be held officially in the city with the attendance of senior government figures.
"From now on, the annual Newroz celebration will be held officially in Akre with the attendance of Masrour Barzani, the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, government delegations, ambassadors, and representatives of other countries," Mr. Salim stated.
To accommodate these high-profile events, significant changes are planned for the main celebration site at "Sare Gri."
According to the tourism director, the current Akre Culture and Radio building and its associated towers will be removed. In their place, a large hall will be constructed to host official proceedings.
Furthermore, a statue of Kawa the Blacksmith, a central and heroic figure in Newroz folklore, will be erected as a powerful symbol of the celebration and its deep-rooted history in the Kurdish struggle for freedom.
Beyond the Newroz-specific preparations, the designation is a catalyst for a much broader and ambitious tourism strategy. A major strategic project, backed by a budget of $150 million, will be implemented on a vast 446-donum area to fundamentally enhance Akre's tourism infrastructure.
This initiative aims to capitalize on the city's newly elevated status and its long history as a visitor destination.
The first phase of this comprehensive project has already commenced on an 88-donum plot.
This initial stage includes the construction of a hotel, motels, restaurants, an aquapark, and a dedicated car park. Mr. Salim detailed that this phase alone will create capacity to accommodate 2,500 tourists, providing what he described as "a suitable solution to the city's shortage of tourist accommodation."
The long-term vision is to establish Akre, a city known as a tourist destination since 1940, as a central hub for visitors to the Kurdistan Region.
The tourism director stressed that the completion of these projects will not only elevate Akre's standing but also position it as a "base for tourists" from which they can easily visit other major cities such as Duhok and Erbil.
The combination of its new official title and the substantial investment in its infrastructure is expected to lead to a significant increase in both domestic and foreign tourists, heralding a new era of development and prosperity for the Newroz Capital.
