Large crowds gather in Sulaymaniyah to celebrate World Tourism Day

SULAYMANIYAH— A large number of locals and tourists gathered in Hawari Shar Park on Friday to celebrate World Tourism Day, enjoying performances by Iraqi singer Ali Jassim and Iranian singer Hamid Hiraad. The event, organized by Sulaymaniyah’s Tourism Directorate, aimed to boost tourism in the region.

Shanaz Arif, head of Sulaymaniyah’s Tourism Directorate, told 964media, “We held a major event with the participation of renowned singers. Our goal is to attract more tourists to Sulaymaniyah from other cities in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and abroad. We want to further promote tourism, which positively impacts our economy and creates more job opportunities.”

Arif highlighted the region’s diverse tourism offerings throughout the year, emphasizing the need for a consistent approach to organizing events. “Kurdistan has all seasons to offer for tourism. It’s essential to have a plan to consistently hold such events. We aim to organize annual activities to mark this day,” she said.

She also pointed to future plans for winter tourism, referencing Sulaymaniyah’s natural beauty and snow-covered landscapes. “We have a beautiful natural environment with snow, and we are working to attract tourists for winter activities such as skiing,” Arif added.

The Kurdistan Region saw an influx of tourists during the Eid al-Adha holiday, with over 300,000 visitors, primarily from central and southern Iraq, generating approximately $75 million in tourism revenue.

During the Eid al-Fitr holiday from April 8 to 13, the region welcomed 200,000 visitors. Ibrahim Abdulmajid, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Tourism Board, noted that “70,000 visited Erbil, 61,000 toured Sulaymaniyah, 30,000 explored Dohuk, and the rest traveled to other parts of Kurdistan.”

From Jan. 1 to April 13, 2024, tourist sites in the Kurdistan Region attracted roughly 1.7 million visitors.