INSIDE : Essentials | Where to Stay | Food & Drink | Health & Wellness | Where to Shop | Luxury Brands | Events The Guide KURDISTAN An eye on the people, places, culture, and lifestyle in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. INVEST IN GROUP INVESTAN EYE ON THE EMERGING IN WORLD GROUP AN EYE ON THE EMERGING WORLD Basic Info 2 The Guide: Kurdistan The Guide KURDISTANAn eye on the people, places, and lifestyle in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Social & Cultural Opportunities in the Kurdistan Region Many know the Kurdistan Region as a developing player rich in both nat- ural resources and economic opportunities. Indeed, with over $30 billion Contents invested in the growth of the Region and significant oil and gas deposits fueling speculation of massive revenue, the Kurdistan Region has be- 4-6 Essentials come a recognized and strategic location for international development. All the basic information you need to know Kurdistan is also a growing cultural entity, and is home to numerous destinations worthy of international attention. In Erbil, the capital city of 7-9 A Tradition of Inclusion the Kurdistan Region, there are abundant luxury hotel facilities, refined City Profiles: Erbil & Slemani & Duhok dining options, and lavish shopping opportunities. The Slemani gover- norate has long been heralded as the cultural capital of Kurdistan, and 10-12 Where to stay boasts numerous museums, universities, and cultural festivals. The rolling Experience the distinguished hospitality mountains and flowing rivers of the Duhok governorate make it an ideal destination for tourists seeking opportunities off the beaten path. 14-16 Food & Drink With that in mind, we present “The Guide”, a comprehensive review Upscale venues offering the finest internation- of the social and cultural lifestyle opportunities available in this new al cuisine, as well as the best bars and night investment destination. The Guide seeks to help readers understand spots and experience the options available in the Kurdistan Region, including the hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers of this unique business 17 Health & Wellness location. Indulge yourself in luxurious treatment “The Guide” can serve as a useful tool for those individuals seeking to enjoy the finest the Kurdistan Region has to offer. Indeed, we are confi- 18-20 Luxury brands dent that the hotels, restaurants, health and wellness centers, and shop- The most stylish and elegant brands ping facilities discussed herein will enable even the most experienced traveler to find high-quality, innovative options for almost any need. 21 Where to Shop From five-star hotels to diamond watches to gourmet dining, the Notable shopping malls in Erbil Region has numerous options for even the most refined palate. With that in mind, “The Guide” provides an insightful view into the luxury lifestyle 22-23 Events in this rapidly developing marketplace. Explore business & cultural opportunities Divan Hospitality Rising in Erbil Enjoy our exclusive accommodation approach for more than half a century, while you discover the unique business opportunities Erbil offers. We would like to thank to the KRG’s General Board of Tourism for its support and photographs. “The Guide: Kurdistan” is a supplement of the Kurdistan Review magazine. Published annually, The Guide: Kurdistan’s target audience is prominent business community visiting Kurdistan. It details the premium hotels, restaurants, health clubs, luxury brands, and shopping centers of the Region. Gulan Street, Erbil, Irak T: +964 66 210 50 00 F: +964 66 210 50 01 [email protected] 5 www.divan.com Essentials Essentials Geography Weather ATM & Credit Card The Kurdistan Region, The summer months are Modern banking is only in its infancy in the Kurdistan Region. As such, ATMs are used only infrequently and can be which borders Syria to dry and hot. Temperatures difficult to find. Additionally, most of the hotels get commission from credit card payments. Some of the larger hotels and the west, Turkey to the often reach as high as shopping malls house ATMs, as do the more recently constructed banks. north, and Iran to the east, 48C during the summer. comprises a total area of The winter months are 40,643 square kms (the generally cold and rainy, KRG-administered area with average temperatures Transportation only). Kurdistan features ranging from 5C to 13C. plentiful rivers and prominent mountain ranges with an average height of Population 2,400 meters. 5.3 Million Demographics Currency The Kurdistan Region is Iraqi Dinar (IQD) Religion composed of an ethnically 1 USD= 1,165 IQD The majority of Kurds are diverse populace that 1 EUR = 1,580 IQD Sunni Muslims. There are includes Kurds, Arabs, 1 GBP = 1,887 IQD also multiple Christian Assyrians, Chaldeans, sects practicing within the Turkmen, and Armenians. Time Zone Region, including Syrian The population of the GMT +3 Catholic, Syrian Orthodox, Kurdistan Region is skewed Assyrian Church of the young, with 36% aged 0-14 Business Hours East, Armenian, and years and only 4% aged Sunday – Wednesday Taxis Upon Arrival Airports Banks Catholic Chaldean. over 63. The median age is 09:00 - 16:00 Taxis in the Kurdistan There are two main Erbil Int’l Airport BankMed Yazidism, which is unique just over 20. Thursday Region do not have meters. avenues for exiting the Slemani Int’l Airport Bakhtiari, Erbil to Kurdistan, has tens of 09:00 - 14:00 Instead, the passenger and Erbil International Airport. Duhok Int’l Airport (Under T: +964 (0) 66 2579777 thousands of followers Language the driver must agree on The longer (but cheaper) Construction) and is predominantly Kurdish, Arabic, Turkmen English Language News a price prior to departing route involves new arrivals BBAC Bank practiced in Duhok. RUDAW is the main for a destination. Taxis are taking an airport bus to a Airlines 60 Meter Street, Erbil Public Holidays English-language media readily available on most separate terminal, where Air Arabia, Air Berlin, T: +964 (0) 66 2574300 Religious Holidays: 1 January - New Year’s Day group. major roads in all the cities passengers may then Air Olympic, Al-Naser, (The dates for the 6 January - Army Day of the Kurdistan Region. bargain with taxi drivers Aseman Airlines, AtlasJet, Byblos Bank holidays listed below 5 March - Uprising Day Electrical Appliances A ride to or from almost for a fee between 5,000- Austrian Airlines, Azmar 60 Meter Street, Erbil are based on the Muslim 11 March - Liberation of Voltage is 220v. anywhere in the cities nor- 10,000 IQD. The more Airlines, Caspian Airlines, T: +964 (0) 66 2560017 calendar, and therefore Erbil City Both UK three-pronged mally costs somewhere direct (and expensive) Cyprus Airways, Egypt change each year) 14 March - Mustafa and European two-pronged between 5-10,000 IQD. A route is to book a private Airlines, Emirates, Etihad İş Bank Barzani’s Birthday plugs are in use. private taxi between any taxi for approximately Airways, FlyDubai, Gulan Street, Erbil Mouloud (Prophet 21-23rd March - Nawroz of the Region’s three major 25,000-30,000 IQD. “Hello FlyGeorgia, Georgia T: +964 (0) 66 2100546 Mohammad’s Birthday) Kurdish New Year Country Code cities will cost between 120- Taxi” has an agreement Airways, Germania Airlines, Eid-al-Fitr (End of 9 April - Baghdad +964 150,000 IQD. There are gen- with the airport that allows Gulf Air, Hermes Airways, Kurdistan Ramadan) Liberation Day erally two types of taxis in its vehicles to access the Iraqi Airways, Lufthansa, International Bank Eid-al-Qurban 1 May - Labour Day Mobile Operators the cities. Some are painted terminal directly. Vehicles Mahan Air, Middle East Gulan Street, Erbil Muharram 14 July - Republic Day Korek, Asiacell, Zain white (private drivers) and can be booked in advance Airlines, Olympic Airlines, T: +964 (0) 66 2239149 Ashura 25 December - Christmas others are light tan in color via the company website Pegasus Airlines, Qatar Day Security (government vetted driv- or by waiting in line outside Airways, Royal Falcon North Bank No significant incidents ers). The latter are generally the main arrival/departure Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Salim Street, Slemani Traffic Flow: Right have occurred since 2007. newer and safer options. terminal. Transavia, Turkish Airlines, T: +964 (0) 7702138349 Viking Hellas, ZagrosJet General Board of Tourism - www.kurdistantour.net Money Exchange The best digital source for detailed information about touristic places is the website of the General Board of Tourism. There are formal currency exchange centers at the airports and modern shopping facilities in Kurdistan. However, The app of the Board is also avaliable on the App Store. informal exchange booths in the traditional bazaar areas offer more favorable rates. 6 The Guide: Kurdistan 7 Essentials A Tradition of Inclusion Basic Expressions Diplomatic Missions English Sorani Kurmanji Austria: +962 (0) 6 462 4304 Hello Rozh-bash Rozh-bash Belarus: +964 (0) 750 445 0973 The Kurdistan Region has been home to an indigenous Kurdish population for thousands of years. The multi- Good morning Beyanee-bash Beyanee-bash Brazil: +964 (0) 750 446 7906 tude of cultures and civilizations that have written their history across the Kurdistan Region have resulted in Welcome! (on arrival) Be kher bi(t) Be kher hati Czech Republic: +964 (0) 66 254 7983 a population and landscape that reflects a great deal of diversity. The Kurdistan Region boasts nearly 65 offi- Goodbye Khwa-hafees Khwa-hafees Denmark: +964 (0) 66 264 8299 cially recognized tourism areas that reflect the mixture of Muslim, Christian, Jewish, and Yazidi religious tra- Thank you Supas Supas Egypt: +964 (0) 66 210 1730 ditions of its inhabitants. The sights visitors are treated to include the 8,000 year-old citadel of Erbil, a host of You’re welcome Ser chaw Ser Chaava France: +964 (0) 66 257 3583 ancient Christian churches and monasteries, as well as Lalish, the holiest city for the Region’s Yazidis (a faith How are you? Chonee? Chaawani? Germany: +964 (0) 750 790 7909 that blends elements of Sunni Islam, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism).