Hotel associations and tourism operators across the Kurdistan Region report strong expectations for increased visitor arrivals from central and southern Iraq beginning next month, as the region prepares for its peak summer tourism season.
Year-Round Tourism Growth Shows Regional Appeal
Ibrahim Abdul Majid, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Region Tourism Authority, told Rudaw on Monday that tourism patterns have evolved significantly in recent years. “Unlike the past when tourists mainly came during Ramadan and Eid al-Adha festivals, now we have visitors throughout all four seasons in the Kurdistan Region, and the situation is very positive,” Abdul Majid said.
The tourism spokesperson emphasized the region’s growing appeal beyond traditional holiday periods. “Currently, we have many tourists in the Kurdistan Region, and we expect even more visitors to come during the upcoming Eid al-Adha celebration,” he added.
Erbil Hotels Report Strong Occupancy Rates
Shukur Aziz, Deputy Chairman of the Hotel Association’s Erbil branch, confirmed robust business conditions across the hospitality sector. “Generally, tourist arrivals are good, and hotels are operating well. We don’t have any establishments that have closed due to lack of business or reduced tourist numbers,” Aziz told Rudaw on Monday.
According to restaurant and hotel statistics, Erbil province hosts 445 hotels and motels, 47 tourist villages, and hundreds of tourist cabins, demonstrating the region’s substantial accommodation capacity.
The Erbil hotel association deputy chairman noted that current tourist numbers are somewhat lower due to ongoing examinations period, but expressed optimism for the coming weeks. “We expect significant tourist arrivals from early next month, particularly during the holiday break,” Aziz said.
Sulaymaniyah Sees Steady Group Tourism
Mahmoud Tawfiq, Chairman of the Sulaymaniyah branch of the Restaurant and Hotel Association, reported encouraging trends in group tourism. “This is tourist season and visitors are coming in groups. We expect tourist arrivals to increase next month, especially for the holiday break,” Tawfiq told Rudaw Media Network.
Sulaymaniyah’s tourism infrastructure includes 380 tourist hotels, 50 traditional hotels, 8 five-star hotels, and hundreds of cabins and tourist facilities, providing diverse accommodation options for visitors.
The Sulaymaniyah hotel association chairman indicated strong operational activity, stating, “Daily, I oversee more than 10 tourist establishments,” though his statement appeared incomplete in the original reporting.
Regional Tourism Momentum Builds
The positive outlook from both major Kurdistan Region cities reflects broader tourism recovery and growth across Iraqi Kurdistan. Hotel associations in both Erbil and Sulaymaniyah report no closures due to lack of business, indicating sustained demand for regional tourism services.
As the region prepares for the upcoming Eid al-Adha holiday period and summer vacation season, tourism operators express confidence in maintaining the Kurdistan Region’s position as a premier domestic tourism destination for Iraqi visitors seeking cooler climates and scenic mountain landscapes.
The tourism sector’s optimism comes as the Kurdistan Region continues developing its hospitality infrastructure and promoting year-round tourism opportunities beyond traditional seasonal peaks.
