The Effect of Economic Crisis on Tourism Sector in Erbil-Kurdistan Region/ Iraq

Abstract

Abstract— this research investigates the effect of economic crisis on tourism sector in Erbil-Iraq by using chi-square test model. Data was gathered from 100 tourism places by using cross-sectional data and simple random techniques. The model is used to analyze the possible impact of economic crises on Erbil’s economy as capital of Kurdistan’s regional government. Results indicated that economic recession has a negative impact on the tourism sector in Erbil for the past three years. Employing the simplified static analysis framework based on simulations revealed that the economic crisis has influenced negatively on the economy of Erbil. Increasing general inflation rate, decreasing living standards and purchasing power have negative impacts on the growth of tourism sector and the economy of Erbil and eventually Kurdistan region.