ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Erbil city’s tourism department announced they would not hold any official New Year celebrations while calling on the private sector to have as many activities to attract the largest number of tourists to the Kurdistan Region’s capital city, said an official.
“For the New Year, and Christmas celebrations, no official celebrations will be held in Erbil,” Diler Mohammed, in charge of the Erbil tourism department, told The New Region. “But we encourage the private sector to hold as many entertaining activities as possible to attract the largest number of tourists.”
Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw on Thursday ordered local security forces to begin preparations to provide security in certain areas inside Erbil where massive crowds are expected to celebrate on New Year’s Eve.
Many holidaymakers are expected to flock to the capital city of the Kurdistan Region from central and southern Iraqi provinces.
As part of preparations to welcome the New Year, a food festival will be held at the downtown Shar or City Park, adjacent to the Citadel, a popular spot in the capital city. During the festival, more than 30 various Kurdish dishes are going to be presented to visitors, as well as female handicrafts.
The streets of Erbil are already adorned with festive lights and decorations.
The Kurdistan Region’s tourism industry has become a booming sector in recent years. The beautiful nature and moderate temperatures during the summertime, and cozy, snow-capped wintery retreats during the colder seasons have become major attractions for tourists from all over Iraq.
Around 200,000 tourists visited the Kurdistan Region provinces for the 2023 New Year celebrations, and the Region’s tourism board recently stated that they expect that number to increase even further this year.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) aims to attract 20 million tourists per year by 2030.
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