Erbil, Kurdistan Region – The Kurdistan Region experienced a significant influx of tourists during the recent Eid al-Adha celebrations, as reported by Ibrahim Abdulmajid, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Region General Board of Tourism, to Kurdistan24 on Sunday. The region welcomed a total of 358,331 foreign tourists and over 250,000 domestic tourists during the holiday period.

This surge surpassed the tourism board's expectations, which had projected 300,000 visitors for the Eid al-Adha festivities. The impressive turnout is a testament to the growing appeal of the Kurdistan Region as a travel destination.

In the past five years, the number of tourists visiting the Kurdistan Region has doubled. Last year alone, approximately eight million tourists explored the region's attractions. The tourism board has set an ambitious target to attract 20 million tourists annually by 2030.

Despite facing challenges such as the war against ISIS and the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Kurdistan Region's tourism sector has shown remarkable resilience and growth. In 2022, the region hosted six million tourists. This figure rose to seven million in 2023, marking a 16% increase from the previous year.

The continued expansion of the tourism industry in the Kurdistan Region underscores its potential as a major tourist hub in the coming years. With ongoing efforts to enhance infrastructure and promote its diverse attractions, the region is poised to achieve its long-term tourism goals.