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Hotels in Kurdistan Plan to Attract 5 Million of Tourists by 2015

Kurdistan is a semi-autonomous region located in northern Iraq. This region wants to gain popularity as a tourist destination with the global aim of serving over 5 million of tourists by 2015. In 2009 the province was visited by 800,000 tourists, and in 2010 this digit increased to 1.3 million.

The Ministry of Tourism and Municipalities reveals its forecasts about this year – over 700,000 tourists in 2011 standalone and over 2 million of visitors since 2009.

Sirwan Shafiq, the media director of Arbil-based General Directorate of Tourism, tells that while the political unrest causes the decrease in the number of tourists arriving to the Middle East countries, the Kurdistan Region attracts more visitors.

Such increase in visitors may be the result of promotion on international level. Many world-known organizations like the New York Times and the National Geographic have included Kurdistan in their lists of prime destinations for 2011. Media has also paid much attention to the stability of this region and its security. While Iraq remains an unsafe place, Kurdistan has never been touched by the violence.

By the way, there is no need to get a visa to any foreigner coming to Kurdistan. Entry visa is given for 10 days upon arrival. However, if you want to stay longer, you will need to go to the immigration office, but acquiring the extended visa may take long.

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