Once caught in the crossfire of the Iran-Iraq War and devastated by genocidal campaigns, chemical attacks, and forced displacement under successive Iraqi regimes, the Kurdistan Region is determined to write a new chapter.
Widely known as “the other Iraq,” the region is now emerging as a major tourism destination in the Middle East. From snowcapped mountains and ancient ruins to the legendary hospitality of its people, the Kurdistan Region offer something for every season and every taste.
Kurdish policymakers are also keen to tap into this enormous potential. In recent years, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has worked tirelessly to develop tourism as a primary tool for its strategy to diversify economically so that it relies less on oil revenue and more on other sustainable sources.
Since the inauguration of the KRG’s Ninth Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, the region has been working hard to this end. These efforts intensified after the federal government of Iraq halted Kurdistan’s oil exports and then cut its revenue share from the federal budget, repeatedly leaving Kurdish government employees unpaid.
This has compelled the Kurdistan Region to look for alternatives to keep its flourishing economy running. After realizing a major leap in agriculture in recent years, which brought local products to international markets, the region is now eyeing tourism as the next key sector to generate revenue, create jobs, and put Kurdistan on the world tourism map.
What do the statistics say?
The Kurdistan Region has come a long way since the toppling of Saddam Hussein in 2003. This progress becomes even more evident when compared to other parts of Iraq, where infrastructure is still in ruins and historical sites are largely ignored.
According to official statistics, only 377,000 tourists visited the Kurdistan Region in 2007, but this number has grown to 8 million in 2024, which is largely the result of the strategic attention that the regional government has paid to developing tourism projects.
Kurdistan Chronicle has learned from official sources that the KRG Board of Investment licensed 17 new tourism projects worth over $174 million in 2024 alone. And that’s not all. It has also signed a $160-million agreement with Leitner, an Italian leader in ropeway systems, to build a 10-kilometer cable car ropeway that will help attract 20 million travelers to Kurdistan by 2035.
Spanning seven stops, the cable car ropeway will be among the longest in the world and is projected to generate significant economic benefits, including the creation of over 500 jobs and the injection of $50 million into the local economy in its first year of operations.
Safety and stability
Security is often the first concern for travelers when choosing a destination. This is an undeniable point of strength for the Kurdistan Region.
The Kurdistan Region is widely known as the safest part of Iraq and one of the most stable spots in the Middle East. Even during the war against ISIS from 2014 to 2017, the Kurdistan Region not only maintained its citizens’ security, but also became a safe haven for nearly 2 million refugees and internally displaced persons, including religious groups and persecuted minorities.
But safety means more than simply security against violence. The Kurds are known as one of the most hospitable people in the world, welcoming you with open arms, allowing you into their homes, and looking for nothing in return.
Walking the streets in major cities like Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Duhok at night, one can see families enjoying a sip of tea on the sidewalks, children cheerfully running around, and music echoing through narrow alleys, with an atmosphere remarkably free of tension.
Although Kurdish society values traditions, it also respects modern life. In large cities, nightlife is a vibrant part of the urban landscape and – unlike many parts of Iraq – female tourists and solo travelers report minimal disturbances. Kurdistan’s low crime rate thus creates a safe and memorable environment for visitors. In fact, Kurdistan has gained a reputation for being a place where almost nothing is lost – there is always someone who finds it and does not rest until they return it to you.
Connecting to our ancient past
When considering Kurdistan as your next destination, the Citadel of Erbil might be the first thing that comes to mind. This ancient settlement in the center of the capital city is one of the longest continuously inhabited places in the world.
Next is the renowned Shanidar Cave, where archaeologists discovered Neanderthal remains that provide foundational insights into this extinct group of archaic humans.
Further north, one finds the surviving structure of the Jerwan Aqueduct, an engineering marvel that has stood for over three millennia. Built by the Assyrian King Sennacherib nearly 3,000 years ago, this ancient structure served as a vital water source and testifies to the power and grandeur of the Assyrian Empire.
Finally, there is Charmo, the remains of a village believed to be one of the earliest birthplaces of agriculture. Located on the foothills of the Zagros Mountains, Charmo is a 7,000-years-old settlement where agricultural activity is attested by the presence of stone sickles, cutters, bowls and other objects used for harvesting, preparing, and storing food, as well as by receptacles of engraved marble.
Unspoiled natural landscapes
Geographically, Kurdistan encompasses a border that extends from tall mountains to vast plains, creating stunning scenery that inspires the human imagination.
To the northeast, Mount Halgurd, the tallest peak in Iraq at 3,607 meters, offers an extraordinary adventure, with regular two-day tours guided by locals available at reasonable prices.
Further north is the untouched Barzan region, an area unique for its mesmerizing landscapes and its longstanding culture of nature preservation. Strict local rules to protect the environment have turned it into a sanctuary for wildlife. Travelling through the mountainous area, one can often spot animals right from the main roads.
Prefer water activities and scenic riverbanks? There are many hotspots near Dukan Dam in Sulaymaniyah Governorate and Duhok Dam in Duhok to cool down during hot times of the year.
Visit Kurdistan
As tourism grows in the Kurdistan Region, so does the need for improved infrastructure. There are countless natural, historical, and cultural sites across the region that can be further developed to welcome larger numbers of international visitors.
To attract foreign investment, the KRG has implemented a suite of incentives under its Investment Law, which offers investors tax breaks, land provisions, duty exemptions, and repatriation of project capital, while treating local and foreign investors equally.
With all that said, the need for a professional platform that can elevate Kurdistan as an international tourism destination is more critical than ever. Today, that platform is no longer just an idea; it exists today under the name Visit Kurdistan.
Visit Kurdistan was officially launched in June at a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Barzani. Established in accordance with international standards, the platform aims to enhance the Kurdistan Region's “visibility and perception as a globally-competitive destination,” according to CEO Daban Hamid, who stated at the event that the launch marks “a new era for Kurdistan’s tourism.”
“Tourism, if treated strategically, can be an engine for nation-building. It is an industry that attracts investment, generates jobs, revitalizes towns and rural economies, strengthens regional diplomacy, and promotes our identity on the global stage,” Hamid stressed.
The mission of Visit Kurdistan is defined by three core pillars:
Brand and market positioning: Visit Kurdistan believes that the key to branding is changing Kurdistan’s visibility and perception as a globally competitive destination – not with slogans, but with segmentation, analytics, and focused campaigns targeting regional, diasporic, and high-value experiential travelers. Visit Kurdistan’s digital platforms are designed to convert curiosity and the region’s reputation for famed hospitality into real economic value.
Sector enablement and governance: Visit Kurdistan is working to streamline a fragmented sector, aligning stakeholders, simplifying regulations, improving licensing procedures, introducing standards, and supporting tourism operators with new technologies and tools, most notably Visit Kurdistan’s website, which centralizes tour bookings and markets curated door-to-door experiences.
Tourism as investment: Visit Kurdistan is not merely seeking more tourists; it is actively creating investable opportunities across accommodation, transportation, experiences, and services with bankable projects, investment promotion strategies, and a growing network of local businesses and international partners.
Commending the KRG’s strategic vision and tireless efforts to develop tourism, Hamid concluded his remarks by emphasizing that Kurdistan has made significant progress in digital governance, administrative reform, and infrastructure modernization. Tourism is the natural next chapter in that story, not only for its economic potential, but for its strategic value.
“It is soft power, it is pride, it is diplomacy – and yes, it is good business.”
Sardar Sattar is a translator and journalist based in the Kurdistan Region. He has translated several books and political literature into Kurdish and English. He writes regularly for local and international newspapers and journals.
