The General Board of Tourism in Kurdistan has allocated around IQD 100 billion (USD 85.9 million) to develop the region's tourism sector until 2025. Mawlawi Jabar Wahab, chairman of the GBT in the Iraqi autonomous region, told Zawya he expected a 20%-30% increase in the number of tourists in 2014 as Erbil gets set to host several events to mark it being named this year's Arab tourism capital.
Q: What is the investment volume in tourism in Kurdistan?
A: According to official board statements, total investment in the region since 2006, when the board was formed, reached USD 6.34 billion; 40% of which are foreign investments with the UAE being the primary investor, followed by Turkey. In 2012, total investment in tourism stood at USD 1.8 billion. Government loans were given to more than 100 small and medium tourism projects. And we have allocated IQD 100 billion for over 400 projects until 2025.
Q: What plans has the board put in place to boost the tourism sector?
A: Now that Erbil has been chosen as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2014, we aim to promote tourism investment in the region. There is a strategic plan that includes implementing more than 400 projects in two phases; the first ending in 2015 and the second in 2025.
Q: Are there plans to increase the number of hotels and tourism establishments?
A: There is an ongoing program to build more hotels in the region, and the number of hotels increased to 250 establishments in 2013 from 106 in 2007. The occupancy rate runs at around 60% and rises to around 90% during peak season.
Permits have been granted to build 12 international hotels, including a Kempinski hotel that will be constructed in Erbil over a land area of 10,000 square meters and at an estimated cost of USD 153 million, as well as a Hilton and a Sheraton hotel. This comes in addition to several hotels that have already been launched, such as Shary Jwan in Sulaymaniyah, which was built at a cost of USD 250 million and has a capacity of 250 rooms.
Q: Do you expect an increase in the number of tourists visiting Kurdistan?
A: The number of tourists stood at 2 million in 2013 and is expected to increase by 20% to 30% in 2014. The board hopes the number will rise to 4 million by 2015. We plan to launch several projects that promote winter tourism in Sakran Mountain and Halgurd Mountain within the borders of Erbil, where seasonal snow lasts 10 months of the year.
Q: How would Kurdistan benefit from Erbil being named as this year's Arab Tourism Capital?
A: Being chosen as the Arab Tourism Capital gives Erbil prestige and paves the way for a strong launch for the region as an international tourist destination. The recognition also serves as an incentive to accelerate tourism activities to attract major investors to the sector.
There will be many festivals and cultural events this year, especially in March to correspond with Nowruz [Iranian New Year] and to celebrate Erbil as the Arab Tourism Capital. Erbil has hosted events with Arab and international groups, including ballet performances and an ice skating festival on Cork Mountain in the district of Rawanduz. Many of these events are being held for the first time in Kurdistan, and in Iraq, and this is only the beginning.
© Zawya 2014
