In a bid to transform its tourism industry and promote economic development, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) launched the Reform Roadmap for Tourism Sector in the capital city of Erbil. The initiative, developed over the past six months in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), aims to revamp the region's tourism sector and make it more appealing to international visitors.

The launch event, attended by KRG officials, diplomats, and representatives from the partnering international organizations, marked a significant step towards realizing the government's vision of making tourism a key driver of economic growth.

Minister Sasan Awni of the KRG Ministry of Municipalities and Tourism revealed that reforming the tourism sector has been a top priority for the government's ninth cabinet, led by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani. Recognizing the need to reduce dependence on hydrocarbon sales, the KRG has been actively seeking ways to diversify its revenue streams, with tourism seen as a promising avenue.

Despite welcoming over six million tourists in 2022, the majority of whom were domestic visitors from central and southern Iraqi provinces, the Kurdistan Region aims to attract a more diverse and extensive international tourist base. Minister Awni acknowledged that there is still work to be done to prepare the region for hosting global travelers.

The picturesque landscapes of the northern Kurdish region, characterized by mountainous areas and relatively cooler temperatures, have been particularly appealing to domestic tourists, especially during the scorching summer heat. During the recent Eid al-Adha celebrations in late June, around 700,000 tourists flocked to the region's resorts, according to official data.

The Kurdistan Region boasts an impressive cultural heritage, including nearly 5,000 heritage sites, with the capital city Erbil being home to some of the country's ancient sites, notably the Erbil Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In line with its ambitious plan to transform the tourism sector, the KRG aspires to attract 20 million tourists annually over the next eight years, significantly boosting the region's tourism potential and diversifying its economic landscape.

The collaboration between the Kurdistan Region government, the UNDP, and USAID represents a crucial step towards realizing this vision and elevating the region as a must-visit destination on the global tourism map. As the Reform Roadmap for Tourism Sector takes shape, the future of Kurdistan's tourism industry seems brighter than ever.