(5 Jan 2025)
IRAQ WINTER TOURISM
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
LENGTH: 2:39
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Irbil, Iraq – 3 January 2025
1. Drone shot of waterfalls in Bekhal resort in Irbil ++MUTE++
2. People taking pictures by the waterfalls
3. Bekhal waterfalls in Rawandiz district of Irbil
4. Various of people in cafes and restaurants
5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Marwa Dhiaa, tourist from Baghdad:
"We came for the New Year celebrations. This place is nice; we enjoyed it, and it is entertaining. We came here to have fun, release negative energy, and gain positive energy. May God make it a good, blessed and happy year for everyone. God willing, happiness and joy will prevail in the country."
6. Various of people queuing for cable car ride
7. Cable car
8. Various of people on top of the Korek Mountain
9. SOUNDBITE (Kurdish) Bana Osman, tourist from Sulaymaniyah:
"Today, we came to Korek Mountain for tourism. Thankfully, it is a nice place, and we enjoyed it. But unfortunately, there is no snow in the area, and we hope to see snow falling in the coming days."
10. Various of people on top of Korek Mountain
11. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Nada Hamdi, tourist from Baghdad:
"I came from Baghdad with a tourism group to Irbil for the New Year’s celebrations. Today, I am on Korek Mountain. The atmosphere is nice, and we can see people happy and optimistic. But unfortunately, there was more snow last year than this year; I haven’t seen much snow this year."
12. People touring the mountain
13. Various of people taking pictures
14. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mustafa Jawad, tourist from Basra:
"We came here for a change of scenery and to celebrate the New Year. We visit Irbil every year for its pleasant atmosphere, beautiful places and landscapes. It’s a refreshing change of pace each year."
15. Various of women taking pictures
16. People on Korek Mountain
STORYLINE:
Iraqi tourists from the capital, Baghdad, and other southern cities have been heading to the country’s north to enjoy the mountains and snow in the semi-autonomous Kurdish region as part of their New Year celebrations and holidays.
For many, it’s a refreshing change of pace and scenery, with the region offering breathtaking landscapes.
"We came here to have fun, release negative energy, and gain positive energy," said Marwa Dhiaa, a tourist visiting from Baghdad.
Despite lower snowfall rates compared to previous years, many tourists have still chosen Korek Mountain in Irbil province for their holidays.
"Thankfully, it is a nice place, and we enjoyed it. But unfortunately, there is no snow in the area, and we hope to see snow falling in the coming days," said Bana Osman, who traveled from the nearby city of Sulaymaniyah.
Korek Mountain is located in the town of Rawanduz, 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the Iranian border and 120 kilometers (75 miles) from the city of Irbil.
The resort, situated at an elevation of 2,100 meters (6,890 feet), is accessible by cable car and features restaurants, cafes and villa accommodations.
For Mustafa Jawad, who traveled from the southern city of Basra, the trip is all about "a change of scenery and celebrating the New Year."
"We visit Irbil every year for its pleasant atmosphere, beautiful places and landscapes. It’s a refreshing change of pace each year," he said.
The northern mountainous areas are one of the favourite destinations for Iraqis, particularly for people from Baghdad and the southern region where the weather is typically dry and warm.
AP video shot by Rashid Yahya
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