Tourism in the panoramic Kurdish area

In the Kurdish region of Iraq, where three American tourists fell into the country’s custody, the attractions intended for intrepid travellers and hikers are many. Tourists shop for some crystal glasses as well as enjoy lengthy walks in luxurious mountain resorts that are popular for its pistachio groves.

Tourism safety is really an excellent selling point. Promoters of tourism boast that no tourist has been kidnapped or killed since 2003.

Nevertheless, in an area without a clearly-marked border, going outside Kurdistan region is very dangerous – as those American hikers realised after they wandered apparently in the wrong area of an Iranian mountain the previous week, and eventually were taken by Iranian guards into custody. After a hysterical call to a friend, the three hikers have not been heard from ever since.

The three foreigners -- Sarah Shourd, Joshua Fattal, and Shane Bauer – were arrested on Tuesday in Iran for entering the nation illegally. An Iranian legislator claimed authorities were determining whether to charge the three Americans of spying.

The US State Department denied the accusations, and Kurdish officials and relatives claimed they were just hikers who unluckily got lost. The controversial case is the recent source of conflict with the US as Iran currently is still in a political catastrophe.