United Nations and USAID collaborate to boost tourism development in Kurdistan Region of Iraq
ERBIL, Iraq — The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have expressed their commitment to advancing tourism in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), working in coordination with the Ministry of Tourism of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
The three agencies unveiled a comprehensive plan aimed at revitalizing the tourism sector in the region.
According to a statement, the tourism and hospitality industries have emerged as key drivers of economic growth and employment opportunities in the region.
UNDP has identified crucial areas for successful tourism development in the region and has put forward impactful recommendations, encompassing tourism legislation, laws, and regulations.
It also highlighted the importance of fostering private sector investments through public-private financing partnerships to develop tourism sites and products. It further emphasized the need to study the legal framework for the tourism sector and implement quality assessment criteria employed by successful tourism industries in the Middle East and Europe.