Kurdistan Region braces for Eid al-Adha tourism surge

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdistan Region is preparing for a surge of holidaymakers during the Islamic Eid al-Adha, with tourism officials reporting rising hotel reservations and expectations of higher visitor numbers compared to Eid al-Fitr, following the end of regional conflict and the start of school holidays.

Authorities across the Kurdistan Region say tourists from central and southern Iraq have already begun reserving hotels and tourist accommodations ahead of the holiday, with Duhok reporting that around 70 percent of its hotels are already booked.

“There is still one week left until Eid al-Adha, but tourist groups have already begun booking hotels,” Mahmoud Tawfiq, head of the Sulaimani branch of the Kurdistan Association of Hotels and Restaurants, told Rudaw on Thursday.

The anticipated tourism boom comes as Iraq seeks to raise its international tourism profile. Last week, Baghdad’s Tourism Authority announced that seven rural tourist villages from across Iraq - including three in the Kurdistan Region - will compete for the United Nations’ Best Tourism Villages title.

The nominated Kurdish villages include Biyara in Halabja province, Hiror in Duhok province, and Rawanduz in Erbil province.

Sulaimani currently hosts around 380 tourist hotels, 50 budget hotels, eight five-star hotels, as well as hundreds of tourist cabins and huts.

Tawfiq said officials expect a much larger influx of visitors than during Eid al-Fitr, when tourism numbers declined due to the US-Israel war with Iran that began in February, days after the start of Ramadan.

“Compared to Eid al-Fitr, we expect many more tourists because the war has ended, schools are on break, and it is the spring season, making it the most ideal time for visitors to arrive,” he added.

In Erbil province, tourism officials also forecast a strong holiday season. Shukr Aziz, deputy head of the Erbil branch of the association, told Rudaw that authorities are preparing to accommodate larger crowds.

“We anticipate the arrival of significantly more tourists this Eid compared to Eid al-Fitr,” Aziz said.

According to the association’s figures, Erbil province contains around 445 hotels and motels, 47 tourist villages, and hundreds of tourist huts. Authorities are also expected to hold coordination meetings next week to organize committees responsible for receiving tourists during the holiday period.

In Duhok province, tourism activity has already increased in recent days, according to local officials.

“Tourist arrivals to the Duhok area have been increasing for about 10 days. For the Eid holiday, we will be coordinating with all parties to welcome the maximum number of tourists,” Sheikh Ihsan Issa, head of the Duhok branch of the Restaurant and Hotel Association, told Rudaw.

Duhok is home to nearly 900 tourist sites, including 145 hotels and around 250 natural attractions.

“Currently, about 70 percent of Duhok’s hotels are booked by tourist groups for Eid, and that percentage is rising,” Issa added.

Meanwhile, officials in Halabja said security and tourism agencies are coordinating efforts to manage the anticipated influx of visitors, particularly to mountainous border resorts.

“Administrative and security agencies are working in coordination with us to welcome tourists and ensure the security of all tourist areas,” Chya Qiasm, director of tourism in Halabja, told Rudaw.

Qiasm added that restaurants and businesses have been instructed to remain open throughout the holiday period.

“We expect resorts in our border areas, such as Byara and Zalm, to be among the most crowded tourist destinations,” she said.

Known for its mountainous terrain, natural scenery, and rich historical heritage, the Kurdistan Region is home to ancient archaeological and religious landmarks dating back thousands of years. Among its most prominent sites is the ancient Erbil Citadel, widely regarded as the world’s oldest continuously inhabited settlement.