Sulaymaniyah Emerges as a Major Tourist Hub in Kurdistan Region

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‘I Love Sulaymaniyah’ Sign in Front of Sulaymaniyah Governorate.

Sulaymaniyah, one of the foremost tourist cities in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, is witnessing a steady rise in visitor numbers, positioning itself as the tourism capital of the region.

In 2007, approximately 78,000 tourists visited the governorate. By 2024, this figure had surged to 2.1 million, highlighting the city’s growing appeal.

The expansion of the tourism sector is evident in the increasing number of companies and agencies, which now total 233. Sulaymaniyah International Airport welcomed 305,516 passengers in 2024 alone. Accommodation options have more than doubled since 2009, growing from 106 hotels and furnished apartments to 270, while restaurants and cafés now number 661.

Cultural attractions also draw significant attention. The Sulaymaniyah Museum, Iraq’s second largest, was restored by UNESCO in 2012 and welcomed 8,345 local and international visitors last year.

With these developments, Sulaymaniyah continues to strengthen its reputation as a key destination for tourists in the Kurdistan Region.


PUKMEDIA