Launch of Kurdistan Tourism Council Aims to Unify Efforts and Boost Sector Growth
ARK News.. A formal ceremony was held on Monday, February 16, 2026, in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, to announce the establishment of the Kurdistan Tourism Council. The event was attended by senior officials from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
The newly formed council seeks to unify efforts and advance the tourism sector by strengthening coordination between the public and private sectors.
In remarks delivered during the ceremony, Sasan Awni, Minister of Municipalities and Tourism, described the council as a “strong bridge of communication” aimed at aligning future visions and expanding the promotion of the region’s tourism sector at local, regional, and international levels.
Awni stated that the initiative reflects the vision of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and aligns with the strategy of the ninth ministerial cabinet, which considers tourism a key pillar for revitalizing the national economy.
He noted that, for the first time, the Kurdistan Region enacted a dedicated Tourism Law (Law No. 9 of 2022), providing a legal framework to support sector development.
Highlighting key figures, Awni revealed that the region is home to more than 3,000 tourism sites and facilities, employing over 20,000 people—80 percent of whom are local workers.
He also announced the establishment of four new general directorates of tourism in Halabja Province and in the independent administrations of Zakho, Soran, and Rania (Raparin).
According to Awni, 80 major tourism projects have been implemented, with total investments exceeding $7.5 billion.
Concluding his remarks, the minister emphasized that the Kurdistan Regional Government has provided numerous legal, financial, and logistical incentives to the private sector and continues to encourage investors to channel capital into tourism.
He expressed hope that the newly established council will serve as a significant catalyst for further growth in this strategic sector.
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