Kurdistan Region preparing to host tourists despite Iran war

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Authorities across the Kurdistan Region say they are preparing to welcome tourists during the upcoming Islamic Eid al-Fitr holiday, despite a sharp decline in visitors partly blamed on the ongoing war between the United States and Israel against Iran.

Tourism officials say arrivals from Iraq’s central and southern provinces – traditionally the main source of visitors to the Region – have nearly dropped to zero in recent weeks due to the security situation and the month of Ramadan. Nevertheless, authorities say preparations for holidaymakers are underway.

If Ramadan lasts 30 days, the first day of Eid al-Fitr will fall on March 20. If the lunar month ends after 29 days, the holiday will begin a day earlier. 

Zirak Bia Ilya, head of the Erbil Hotels and Restaurants Association, told Rudaw on Saturday that tourist arrivals have significantly declined as a result of the conflict.

“Because of the impact of the war, the arrival of tourists has almost completely declined, but that does not mean that no tourists will come for the holiday,” he said.

Ilya noted that the majority of tourists visiting the Kurdistan Region usually travel from central and southern Iraq, adding that several committees are preparing to receive visitors during the Eid period.

“Different committees are preparing at checkpoints, hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants to welcome holiday tourists,” he said.

During major holidays such as Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha and New Year, the Kurdistan Region typically sees a large influx of visitors, most of them traveling from other parts of Iraq. In previous years, around 200,000 tourists visited the Region during such holidays, according to official statistics.

Tourism authorities in Sulaimani province also say they expect some visitors despite the current tensions.

“We are making our plans and preparations for the holiday and will announce the details soon. Despite the war, we expect tourists to come,” said Goran Qadir, spokesperson for the Sulaimani tourism directorate.

He added that special committees will be stationed at checkpoints to guide tourists arriving from other Iraqi provinces.

“Even now, in terms of stability and security, the Kurdistan Region is calmer than other Iraqi provinces, so we expect tourists to come during the holiday,” Qadir said.

Officials in Halabja province say domestic tourism may also help offset the decline in outside visitors.

“Even if outside tourists do not come, we will have domestic tourism because the weather is good; it is the holiday and spring, and people will go out,” said Chia Qasim, director of tourism in Halabja.

He added that before the war, around 40 large tourist buses arrived at the province’s border weekly, but the number has now dropped to just one bus per week.

Authorities in Duhok also say that holiday activities will still take place, though the number of tourists remains uncertain.

“Activities for the holiday will be held in the city, but the arrival of tourists is still unclear because currently, due to the war, tourists are not coming,” said Brindar Haidar, Duhok mayor.

According to tourism officials, the Kurdistan Region currently has around 2,500 registered tourism facilities, including hundreds of hotels, restaurants, and travel agencies prepared to serve visitors during the Eid holiday.

Since the start of the US-Israel war against Iran on February 28, the Kurdistan Region has been bombarded with more than 300 drones and missiles, according to Rudaw monitoring. As a result, seven people have been killed and 35 others injured. 

Those killed include a security employee at Erbil International Airport, five Peshmerga fighters affiliated with Iranian Kurdish opposition parties - three in Erbil and two in Sulaimani province - and a French soldier killed in Erbil on Thursday.