Visit Kurdistan has won two international tourism awards at the Global Tourism Forum 2026, held in Brussels, Belgium, on November 9–10.

The first award, Best Digital Tourism Experience 2026, was presented in recognition of the Visit Kurdistan website and digital platform.

The second award, Best Heritage Destination 2026, recognized a virtual reality video showcasing the history and cultural heritage of Kurdistan. The video highlights landmarks such as the Erbil Citadel, presenting it as a living testament to human civilization and history.

The Global Tourism Forum is an international platform focused on tourism development and attracting foreign investment, particularly in developing economies. Organized annually by the Global Tourism Forum Institute, it promotes sustainable tourism and addresses challenges facing the global tourism industry.

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Visit Kurdistan is a tourism organization working in partnership with the Kurdistan Regional Government to develop and organize the region’s tourism sector. It aims to promote Kurdistan’s culture, natural attractions, and investment opportunities to tourists, investors, and tourism industry stakeholders worldwide.

In February 2025, Visit Kurdistan 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.Last year, Halmat Kestai, spokesperson for Visit Kurdistan, told Kurdistan Chronicle that the Kurdistan Region is not only an emerging destination for tourism, “but also a deeply meaningful one for travelers looking for authenticity, adventure, and connection.”