By Brian Padden
Irbil, Iraq
31 August 2006
 

In tourism promotional ads, children are playing in the water

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		Iraq tourism promotional advertisement

While westerners may not be vacationing in Kurdistan just yet, Iraqis are.  At the Gali Ali Beg, Iraqis, such as Dahud Lukman, come from all over the country to enjoy the cool waters and the sense of security.

"I like this place," he says. "It's very nice.  And the tense situation back home also helped us decide to come here." 

Iraq tourists visit "Miracle Spring"

		Mahadi Ramadan

For now most of the tourist sites cater to local, mostly low-income visitors.   Development of modern tourist attractions, like an amusement ride, has been slow.  Douglas Leyton is director of the Kurdistan Development Corporation. He is confident that with some time and investment, Kurdistan will become a major international tourist destination.

"We have the capability here eventually to develop resort areas where there is snow skiing, for example.  Now that doesn't happen to exist in most of the Middle East.   Water rafting.  All kinds of water sports.  This is the land of water," says Leyton.

And with peace and development, Leyton says this could also be the land of opportunity.