Almost 70 percent increase in tourism rate in Kurdistan Region

ERBIL, August 15 (AKnews)

The Kurdistan Region's Tourism Board has reported a 66-percent increase in the tourism rate in the region in comparison to last year.

So far 941,000 tourists have visited the region this year.

Board spokesperson Nadir Rosti said in press conference that the number of tourists and travelers visiting the region increased by more than half in the last seven months.

Rosti expects 2.5m tourists to visit the region in 2012.

Rosti added earlier tourism levels depend on security and stability in the region. Securing the borders of the region also affects the number of tourists.

The region now has 409 hotels, which means an 11-percent increase in comparison to last year. The region also has 214 motels, an 18-percent increase, 1,044 restaurants, a 50-percent increase and 50 tourism villages, a 13-percent increase.

Some 1.7 million tourists came to the Kurdistan Region in 2011.

© AK News 2012