ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Seven rural tourist villages from across Iraq, including three in the Kurdistan Region, are set to compete for the United Nations’ Best Tourism Villages title, a senior tourism official in Baghdad told Rudaw on Tuesday, as part of efforts to boost the country’s tourism profile.
“Seven villages from Iraq will be nominated and submitted to the UN Tourism organization to compete for the title of Best Tourism Villages, three of which are located in the Kurdistan Region,” said Ali Yassin, spokesperson for Iraq’s Tourism Authority.
Yassin detailed that the nominated villages in the Kurdistan Region are Biyara in the eastern Halabja province, Hiror in the northern Duhok province, and Rawanduz in Erbil province.
The remaining villages are distributed across Iraq’s southern provinces of Dhi Qar, Karbala, and Wasit, as well as the northern province of Nineveh.
According to the tourism official, “seven comprehensive nomination dossiers for the villages will be submitted to UN Tourism for evaluation by a team of experts, who will select one or more villages based on precise criteria, including the quality of tourism services, environmental and natural preservation, the promotion of green tourism, and the involvement of local communities in tourism development and integration.”
Yassin noted that the move is expected to have a significant impact on revitalizing the tourism sector in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in general.
The decision on the world’s Best Tourism Villages is expected to be announced in early 2027.
Of note, the Kurdistan Region is geographically characterized by predominantly mountainous terrain, offering particularly striking natural landscapes in its northern and northeastern areas, especially along the borders with Turkey and Iran.
In addition to its breathtaking natural scenery, the Region is rich in cultural and historical heritage, positioning it as a significant part of ancient Mesopotamia.
It is also home to a wealth of archaeological sites, ancient cities, and religious landmarks that bear witness to thousands of years of continuous civilization. These include remnants from the Sumerian, Assyrian, and Median eras, highlighting the Region's deep historical roots.
At the heart of this archaeological landscape stands the Erbil Citadel, widely regarded as the world’s oldest continuously inhabited settlement. Dating back to 6000 BC, the Citadel serves as a symbolic and cultural centerpiece of the Kurdistan Region’s enduring legacy.
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