ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdistan Region’s four provinces are preparing to receive a large number of tourists, mostly from central and southern Iraq, for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, with the majority of hotels fully booked ahead of the holidays.
A large number of tourists from central and southern Iraq have arrived in the Kurdistan Region, according to tourism authorities. In Erbil province, 90 percent of its 445 hotels have been booked by tourists, Shukir Aziz, deputy head of the Kurdistan Region Restaurant and Guesthouse Association’s Erbil branch, told Rudaw on Thursday.
“For all the holiday days, all hotels, motels, and tourist sites will be open to welcome tourists,” Aziz said.
Mahmood Tofiq, head of the association’s Sulaimani branch, told Rudaw that much like in Erbil, “all preparations have been made” to welcome tourists.
“Many tourists have come, and a large portion of tourists have booked hotels and will arrive from today onward,” he said.
The association’s head for Duhok province also said that restaurants and other tourist sites will be open during the holidays.
“Hotels are full of tourists, most of which were pre-booked by companies,” said Sheikh Ihsan Issa.
Halabja, recently recognized as a province by the federal Iraqi government, is also preparing to welcome tourists, especially to the summer resorts of Hawraman near the border with Iran.
“In Halabja city center and Tawela district, hotels have been opened and are ready to welcome tourists. There are also cabins, motels, and tourist lodges that welcome tourists,” said Hawraman Jalal, director of information and relations for Halabja tourism.
Amal Jalal, the head of the Kurdistan Region’s tourism board, told Rudaw that preparations are in place to ensure the provision of services and security in cooperation with the provinces’ tourism departments.
“The preparations are based on providing services, ensuring the tourists’ security and safety, and rules and regulations for protecting the tourists,” Jalal said.
The Kurdistan Region is considered Iraq’s main tourist hub. With its moderate summer weather and cold winters, the Region welcomes Iraqi tourists throughout the year.
The bulk of holidaymakers visiting the Kurdistan Region come from Iraq’s central and southern provinces, while the remaining tourists come from abroad.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) plans to attract 20 million tourists per year by 2030.
“We are in the process of preparing a tourism package for people from outside the Kurdistan Region so that they can get to know the Kurdistan Region better,” Jalal added.
Eid al-Adha is one of the two main Muslim holidays, which will begin on Friday and continue for four days.
Soran Hussein and Ranja Jamal contributed to this report.