Zakho welcomes 41,000 visitors during Eid al-Fitr
Shafaq News/ 41,000 tourists visited Zakho district in Duhok, Kurdistan Region, during the Eid al-Fitr holiday, the Tourism Directorate in the district announced on Sunday.
According to the Directorate's media head Beora Sindi, around 17,000 tourists arrived from the Region, over 22,000 visitors came from other Iraqi provinces, while about 1,150 tourists entered via the Ibrahim al-Khalil border crossing.
The Directorate had prepared a plan in advance to welcome tourists including the formation of field committees that toured tourist sites to ensure safety and security, Sindi noted.
Zakho attracts visitors with its rich history, cultural heritage, and natural beauty. Key attractions include the ancient Delal Bridge, scenic Zakho Corniche, bustling markets offering traditional handicrafts, and the picturesque Sharanish Waterfall.
The city's welcoming atmosphere and mix of cultural, historical, and outdoor experiences make it a popular destination, especially during holidays.
During the seven-day holiday, Erbil, the capital of the Region, welcomed over 76,000 tourists, while Al-Sulaymaniyah province received 50,000 tourists.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
21 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Zakho tourism reports over 38,000 visitors during Eid holiday
Shafaq News/ More than 38,500 tourists visited the area over the past four days, Zakho's Tourism Directorate announced on Wednesday. Spokesperson Bewar Sindi told Shafaq News Agency that 22,000 visitors came from other Iraqi provinces, 15,000 from within the Kurdistan Region, and over 1,200 from outside Iraq. He stated that the tourism office had prepared in advance to receive tourists during the holiday., highlighting that Zakho features a variety of attractions, including Sharanish, Berkh, Surya, and the Baher cave, all of which saw heavy visitor traffic during the break. Tourists shared their impressions with Shafaq News. Sanaa Hussein, who traveled with her family from Baghdad, described Zakho as a beautiful city with growing tourism appeal. 'We escaped Baghdad's heat to enjoy the pleasant weather here,' she said. Abbas Fadhil, visiting from Basra, praised the cool water in the cave and the enjoyable atmosphere. However, he noted a need for infrastructure improvements, especially the roads leading to some tourist sites.
Shafaq News
2 days ago
- Shafaq News
Iraq confirms halted flights to Syria amid high visa fees
Shafaq News/ Iraq's Ministry of Transport confirmed, on Tuesday, that civil aviation flights between Iraq and Syria remain suspended, a situation in place since the fall of the former Syrian regime. Ministry spokesperson Maytham al-Safi told Shafaq News that 'civil flights have been halted for years, and no regular services operate between the two countries. Only Cham Wings Airlines operated for a while, but those flights have also stopped.' The statement comes amid rising concerns over the recently increased visa fees imposed on Iraqi citizens traveling to Syria, which now stand at $250. Omar Abdul-Baqi, deputy director of security at Damascus International Airport, told Shafaq News that the higher fees apply not only to Iraqis but to other nationalities as well, as part of a broader Syrian policy to regulate entry and cover administrative costs.
Shafaq News
2 days ago
- Shafaq News
Syria adjusts Visa fees for visitors
Shafaq News/ Syria's Ministry of Interior announced on Tuesday updated visa fees for foreign visitors. The new system categorizes countries by nationality, with fees reflecting diplomatic and bilateral relations. According to the ministry's statement, citizens of Lebanon, Jordan, Mauritania, and Malaysia are exempt from visa fees and allowed to stay in Syria for up to six months. Visa fees for visitors from Morocco, Algeria, Sudan, and Yemen are set at $40, while those for Libyan nationals are $75. Travelers from Bahrain and Somalia will pay $125, and those from Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Turkiye will be charged $150. Fees for Iraq and the United Arab Emirates are $250. Chinese and Russian citizens will pay $40 and $75, respectively. American nationals will pay $300, while British and Canadian visitors face fees of $250 and $150. Fees for Australian and New Zealand visitors are $250. Citizens of European Union countries will pay $125. Visitors from unclassified countries will pay $100 for a 15-day visa or $25 for a three-day transit visa. The ministry stated that most visas are valid for three months with a single entry, though some nationalities will have multiple entry options during the same period. Fees must be paid in US dollars at arrival points or through the electronic visa system. Travelers are advised to check specific visa requirements for their nationality before travel. Arab media outlets reported that Syrian authorities have started procedures to revoke citizenship from around 700,000 Iranians, Iraqis, and Lebanese, in addition to thousands of Afghan and Pakistani fighters who were granted citizenship during the rule of Bashar al-Assad.
