ERBIL — The head of the Tourism Board in the Kurdistan Region, Amal Jalal, announced on Monday that the Region welcomed an impressive seven million tourists over the past year.

"The number of tourists who visited the Kurdistan Region in 2021 was 4 million, and in 2022, it reached 6 million. However, in 2023, the number of tourists soared to 7 million and 279 thousand. Additionally, 2.5 million Kurdish citizens engaged in travel and tourism within the region,” Jalal told reporters.

Highlighting the substantial growth in tourism-related investments since the formation of the Ninth Cabinet, the KRG official noted that over the past four years, the tourism sector has attracted a total investment of $7.387 billion, making it the leading contributor to regional revenues.

"The projects that received approval and were initiated by ministerial orders in 2023 amounted to 27 projects, with a total value exceeding $1.5 billion. Furthermore, 66 projects were leased, generating over 100,000 job opportunities across our various tourist destinations,” she added.

The Kurdistan Region, renowned for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and historical sites, continues to position itself as an increasingly popular destination for both domestic and international tourists.