Nader Rostai, a spokesman for the Tourism Authority in the Kurdistan region, said that there has been a major tourism and economic deterioration in all entertainment places in the Kurdistan region because of the referendum crisis.
Last September, the Kurdistan region held a referendum on secession from Iraq and the creation of a Kurdish state, which Baghdad rejected and declared economic sanctions in cooperation with Iran and Turkey.
“The current situation in the region and the political crisis between the governments of Baghdad and Arbil have cast a shadow over the tourist reality,” Rustai told the press.
“In the coming days, a meeting will be held with the Tourism Authority in Baghdad and a group of tourist companies to discuss tourism in the coming winter season,” he said. “The doors of the region are open to all tourists.
He pointed out that the lack of turnout of citizens to the region led to a major tourist and economic deterioration, both in the resorts or cities affiliated with him, where damaged hotels, restaurants, malls, markets and all recreational places.
