The Kurdistan Region welcomed the New Year 2026 with record tourist arrivals, scenic snowfall, and safe, secure cities, drawing visitors from around the world and southern Iraqi provinces.
A heavy snowstorm blanketed the region, with snow depths reaching up to one and a half meters in areas such as Muzuri Bala in Barzan. Snow clearance teams worked around the clock to keep roads open, including seven specialized teams in Duhok to maintain smooth traffic for residents and tourists.
Erbil Province alone received 3.5 million tourists in 2025, up from three million in 2024, marking a record high for the region. Governor Omed Khoshnaw highlighted the significant revitalization of the tourism sector, while Ibrahim Abdulmajeed, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Region Board of Tourism, noted that arrivals far exceeded the initially expected 200,000 visitors for the New Year holidays.
Abdulmajeed described tourism in the region as entering a “brilliant phase,” thanks to five years of strategic investment and planning by the Kurdistan Regional Government. Over $7.5 billion has been invested in tourism infrastructure, diversifying activities and expanding facilities. Currently, the Kurdistan Region boasts 3,100 tourist sites, including 480 hotels, 282 motels, approximately 1,000 restaurants and cafes, and more than 50 tourist villages.
