Kurdistan’s Cultural Heritage and Tourism Directorate says Tourism Week is a prime opportunity to market the province’s unique attractions at home and abroad, with festivals, guided tours, and handicraft fairs—backed by stronger collaboration with the private sector to drive sustainable growth and jobs.
Sanandaj: The acting head of Kurdistan Province’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department, Pouya Talabnia, said that Tourism Week will be held with a central role for industry stakeholders, framing the event as a valuable opportunity to present the province’s distinctive attractions to both domestic and international visitors and to pave the way for sustainable economic and cultural development.
Speaking at a consultative meeting on Tuesday, 16 September with tourism activists and private-sector representatives, Talabnia stressed that continuous cooperation between the public and private sectors can turn Tourism Week into a high-impact event. He thanked private operators for their efforts, highlighting their pivotal role in advancing the sector and creating sustainable jobs, and expressed hope that structured planning will raise public and visitor awareness of Kurdistan’s potential, boost arrivals, and strengthen the province’s national and international profile.
Talabnia said the programme will feature diverse cultural festivals, themed guided tours, and handicraft exhibitions to project a dynamic and attractive image of the province.
During the meeting, private-sector participants presented proposals to improve service quality, upgrade tourism infrastructure, enhance marketing, leverage media outreach, and build innovative, sustainable visitor experiences. They also underscored the need for firm institutional support for investors and entrepreneurs to unlock Kurdistan’s full tourism potential.