WATCH: Middle East Tourism exhibition opens in Erbil

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – On Thursday, the Middle East Tourism Exposition – METEX 2017 - debuted in the capital of the Kurdistan Region with the participation of the Kurdish Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani.

It is the first exhibition of the sorts to open in the Region and aims to be recreated in the coming years. Over 200 companies from 16 countries participated, most of which were from the Middle East.

The exhibition will continue until May 6.

“It has been mentioned in almost every conference and seminar in the past few years that the Kurdistan Region should not rely solely on oil and gas, but also develop other sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and industry,” the head of the exhibition Mohammed Abdullah told Kurdistan24 on Thursday.

During the event, Barzani mentioned these types of exhibitions during the current financial situation can have a significant impact on the Kurdistan Region, hoping they will bring tourism back to the Region.

He underscored that tourism in the Kurdistan Region has been a source of revenue, creating job opportunities, and supporting the economy as well as enriching the Kurdish culture. He added that tourism also helped the Kurdistan Region develop relations with other countries.

“Had we not suffered a financial crisis in the past three years, the tourism sector would have been significantly improved. The Kurdistan Region has all the requirements to successfully attract tourists such as its beautiful nature, historical places, its tolerance, openness, outstanding hospitality, and seasons that many countries don’t possess,” Barzani said.

The Kurdish Premier added that the number of tourists visiting the Kurdistan Region has increased from 782,000 in 2015 to 1.6 million in 2016, hoping the exhibition would generate other positive impacts on other sectors in the Region.

In another part of his speech, Barzani highlighted the role of the Kurdish Peshmerga forces in protecting the Kurdistan Region and “overcoming difficult times.” He highlighted that now is the time for the Region to step into a brighter future and rebuild, with tourism as one of its main sectors.

Edited by G. H. Renaud

(Additional reporting by Diyari Shekha)