Halabja sees record 100,000 visitors during Eid holiday

HALABJA — More than 100,000 tourists visited Halabja governorate during the Eid al-Adha holiday, with authorities monitoring 86 sites and issuing penalties to seven locations for violations, officials said.

In a statement, the Halabja General Directorate of Tourism said it successfully implemented holiday plans in coordination with security and local agencies. No major incidents were reported during the holiday period, which saw a significant increase in visitor numbers compared to last year’s 80,000 over the same four-day period.

Of the total, 4,433 tourists remained in the city overnight.

Tourism monitoring teams carried out inspections across the governorate to ensure compliance with operating guidelines. Most sites received warnings for minor issues, while seven were penalized for more serious breaches of regulations.

Halabja, recently designated Iraq’s 19th governorate, is known for its mountain resorts, natural springs, and cooler climate, drawing visitors from southern and central Iraq during the summer months. Popular sites include the Ahmad Awa waterfall and scenic trails in the Hawraman region.