Spanish tourist group visits Kurdistan Region

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – A group of 12 tourists from Spain visited the Kurdistan Region. One of the tourists, Mary, expressed her interest in learning more about Kurdistan. "I have some knowledge of Kurdistan in general, and it's great to be here finally. I would love to explore and learn more about this place," Mary shared with Kurdistan24.

After a delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) participated in a tourism exhibition in Madrid, a strong relationship was established between the KRG Tourism Board and Spanish tourism companies.

According to figures from the KRG, over 1.5 million tourists have arrived in the Kurdistan Region in the first three months of this year.

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.