Disruption of the Gali Ali Beg bridge has ‘limited impact’ on tourist arrivals in Soran

SOARN — The recent disruption of the Gali Ali Beg bridge has not significantly impacted tourist arrivals to the Soran Autonomous Administration, Erbil, according to Faisal Sadiq, director of tourism for the Soran Administration.

A heavy truck collision on Friday caused significant damage to the Gali Ali Beg bridge, forcing its closure and disrupting traffic. Repair efforts began on Saturday to restore the vital transportation link between Erbil and Soran.

Speaking to 964media, Sadiq stated, “The alternative route remains open for tourists heading to Rawanduz. It has only caused congestion on that route, leading to a slowdown in traffic flow.”

Previously, Soran’s tourism authorities anticipated around 50,000 visitors to the area during the New Year holiday season. Sadiq noted, “We have already managed to approach the expected number of tourists.”

Days ago, it was reported with only a few days remaining until New Year’s Eve, the majority of hotels, motels, and tourist accommodations in the Soran are already fully booked.

The Gali Ali Beg Road, primarily used for trade and local transportation, and also is a primary route for tourists visiting the area.

Soran’s tourism authority identifies weather conditions, including heavy snowfall and rainfall caused by seasonal changes, as a more significant challenge to maintaining tourist numbers, especially for those visiting the mountainous areas. However, Sadiq assured that “Civil defense teams are fully prepared to handle any potential emergencies.”

The Soran Administration comprises six districts, 13 sub-districts, and approximately 800 villages. It holds the highest number of metal bridges in the Kurdistan Region, totaling 42, most of which are situated along the strategic Hamilton Road, connecting Erbil with the international border crossing at Haji Omaran.

Tourism authorities in the Kurdistan Region have announced plans to welcome over 200,000 tourists during the upcoming New Year holiday season. “We began our preparations at the start of this month through our general directorates to ensure we can provide the best possible experience for tourists visiting the Kurdistan Region during the New Year holidays,” Ibrahim Abdulmajid, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Tourism Board, told 964media.