Rawanduz sees surge in Eid tourists as region set to surpass projections

SORAN — Thousands of tourists visited scenic areas in the Soran administration during the Eid al-Adha holiday, with the Rawanduz district alone drawing 33,000 visitors over the first two days, according to local tourism officials.

Parez Yousif, head of Rawanduz tourism, told 964media the district welcomed 11,000 tourists on the first day of Eid and 22,000 on the second. “On the third day of Eid, the number is even higher compared to the previous two days,” he said.

Popular destinations such as Bekhal, Gali Ali Beg, and Jundiyan have seen especially large turnouts, with officials reporting a significant rise in tourism activity compared to previous years.

The Soran tourism office initially projected 100,000 visitors for the Eid holiday but now expects actual figures to exceed that estimate.

Since the beginning of 2025, nearly 400,000 tourists have visited the Soran administration, many arriving from central and southern Iraq as well as other parts of the Kurdistan Region.

Faisal Sadiq, head of Soran’s tourism directorate, told 964media earlier this year that the region’s cooler climate and year-round appeal have contributed to steadily growing tourism. “Our area has strong tourism appeal, and visitors come here in all four seasons,” he said.

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