Visit Kurdistan, Kurdistan’s tourism promotion company, has signed a $160 million agreement with Leitner, an Italian leader in ropeway systems, to build a 10-kilometer cable car that will significantly further the region’s developing tourism industry and help to attract 20 million travelers to Kurdistan by 2035.
The agreement was signed at the Kurdistan-Italy Economic Forum in Rome between Visit Kurdistan, in conjunction with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), and Leitner. It represents the largest tourism engineering project ever undertaken in the Kurdistan Region.
The seven-stop cable car ropeway will be one of the world’s longest and is projected to generate significant economic benefits, including the creation of over 500 jobs and $50 million injected into the local economy in its first year of operations.
Witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Italian company Leitner and Kurdish company Visit Kurdistan — setting the stage for closer cooperation and stronger partnerships in Kurdistan’s tourism sector. pic.twitter.com/YW7wpkmdef
— Safeen Dizayee (@SafeenDizayee) February 11, 2025
The project, a key initiative spearheaded by KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, aligns with the government’s vision for economic diversification away from oil, with tourism playing a central role.
The cable car is expected to boost Kurdistan’s tourism revenue by 5% annually. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2025, with launch set for early 2027.
The 10-km cable car will feature seven stations, culminating at the famous Korek Mountain, using a cutting-edge 2S bi-cable system renowned for its stability, safety, comfort, and passenger capacity.
“This commitment to developing world-class infrastructure demonstrates the KRG’s dedication to economic diversification and is part of our wider development plan for the region,” said Sarbaz Othman, Advisor to KRG Prime Minister Barzani.
“We look forward to the positive and sustainable economic impact of this development for the benefit of both locals and tourists.”
“Kurdistan is the antidote to conventional tourism and we welcome visitors to explore our historic and natural riches, discovering the heart of the Middle East,” said Daban Hamid, CEO of Visit Kurdistan.
“We are pleased to work with the KRG and Leitner on this initiative to enhance our infrastructure, encourage economic diversification, create jobs, and open up the most scenic parts of Kurdistan for exploration.”
“Working on this ambitious and impactful project is an exciting opportunity for Leitner to continue adding to our portfolio of world-class ropeway projects,” said Thomas Schubert, Export Manager at Leitner.
“This system will also serve to set a new standard for tourism development in the region.
We look forward to seeing locals and tourists enjoying the ropeway in maximum comfort."
