Gharib Ali Salim

Due to the opening of the Kurdistan Region to both domestic and international tourists on one hand, and the presence of several natural and cultural tourism areas in the Kurdistan Region, annually during Ramadan festivals and commemorative occasions, many tourists from central and southern regions of Iraq and Iran come to the tourism areas of the Kurdistan Region with the purpose of spending pleasant times and vacations.

Furthermore, one of the beautiful cultural traits of the people of the Kurdistan Region in general, and cities and villages in particular, has been hospitality and humanitarianism. They are known as the most hospitable people in Iraq and foreign countries. Any guest, tourist, or foreigner of different nationalities, religions, and beliefs who comes to the Kurdistan Region for any purpose is treated as if they were in their own home. This is one of the most important foundations for attracting tourists to any area or region, as good treatment, hospitality, and respect for tourists are considered among the most important positive factors that work on the tourist’s mindset and feelings, creating a sense of comfort, tranquility, and psychological well-being in the areas they visit.

Therefore, we must deal consciously with ourselves and then with tourists, because every individual citizen of this country defines the image of Kurdish personality in general, and particularly with tourists. This is because beautiful treatment with etiquette and sweet manners directly creates a great positive impact on the tourist’s mind regarding our nation and country. At that time, the tourist sees the hospitality of all Kurds in the behavior of one individual. Therefore, we all must always treat tourists respectfully, as they are unfamiliar with the city and region and have a sense of unfamiliarity. Hence, each of us can become a tourism guide for them, helping and guiding them by providing information about tourism areas.

However, sometimes at border gates, airports, or markets, hotels and motels, and tourism sites, unpleasant behavior distant from traditions, culture, and human values has been shown toward citizens, guests, and tourists. Due to several shortcomings, tourists face several problems:

1. Lack of Tourism Staff

There is a shortage and absence of tourism employees and officials at customs, military, and airport offices, gates, and renowned markets and hotels. This occurs while it is very necessary for those working in these places to be graduates of tourism departments, as they have studied academically and know how to deal with tourists. Since these individuals are the eyes and mirror of the Kurdistan Region, they must pay special attention to the characteristics of the art of welcoming, hospitality etiquette, treatment, and tourism services.

2. Foreign Staff in Tourism Establishments

Unfortunately, there are foreign employees in many renowned hotels, motels, restaurants, and eateries, and these employees cannot welcome tourists in a heartfelt and appropriate manner. Also, from psychological and sociological perspectives, they cannot read guests’ faces and categorize them.

3. Absence of Tourism Guides

There is a lack of tourism guides in hotels, especially in four-star and five-star establishments in tourist destinations. This is one of the shortcomings in Kurdistan’s hotels, and the reason goes back to the negligence of the government and tourism institutions.

Recommendations

Finally, it is necessary for employees at border gates, airports, markets, hotels, motels, restaurants, and tourism sites to have complete expertise in civilized etiquette, soft and modern language, beautiful treatment, and presentation of local gifts—particularly Kurdish handicraft products—and the use of Kurdish music and songs.

Also, annually, several courses should be held for relevant parties at airports, gates, and markets, as well as tourism sector employees, covering psychological and sociological aspects, legal procedures, behavioral methods, welcoming techniques, guidance quality, assistance provision, and tourism service delivery. This should be done through someone whose profession is tourism guidance and who has complete expertise in all tourism areas of the Kurdistan Region.

Tourism institutions should become a factor for introducing and familiarizing tourists with Kurdistan’s tourism areas and cities through tourism guides, not just selling hotel services. This is to attract tourists’ attention more to the tourism and natural sites of the Kurdistan Region, as this is the first step we can take to influence our tourists and guests and show a beautiful and modern image of ourselves and our region.

On the other hand, it is necessary to work on cultural marketing policies, hospitality culture, and modern etiquette in schools, universities, and institutes of the Kurdistan Region. Kurdistan’s airports and gates should, through actions and by introducing modern culture, etiquette, sweet manners, and feelings of hospitality and humanitarianism, show a beautiful image to guests and tourists, so that we can demonstrate that the Kurdish nation, despite all the misfortunes that have befallen it, still possesses the most beautiful image of humanity and a high culture of humanitarianism and hospitality at the level of the Middle East and even the world.

* PhD Student in Tourism Marketing / University of Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region.