ZMT Wins BGTW Award
Zagros Mountain Trail Wins “Best Wider World Tourism Project” at the 2025 BGTW International Tourism Awards
Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – November 2025 — The Zagros Mountain Trail (ZMT) has been named “Best Wider World Tourism Project” by the British Guild of Travel Writers (BGTW), marking a groundbreaking moment for sustainable and community-based tourism in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
The award celebrates not only the beauty of Kurdistan’s mountains, but also the dedication of the communities, guides, and local hosts who have built the trail from the ground up.
Launched as a small idea between local and international partners, the ZMT began with a single walk in 2016 and has since grown into a 215 km-long hiking route connecting more than 30 villages and towns across the breathtaking Zagros Mountains. Along the way, hikers experience Kurdish hospitality firsthand; sharing meals, stories, and traditions with the families who call these mountains home.
“This recognition is a huge honor for everyone involved,” said Barzi Bakir the Executive Director of the Kurdistan Trails Organization (KTO), which manages the project. “What began as a dream to connect communities has now become a symbol of pride for Kurdistan. Every family along the trail is thrilled to know that the guests they once welcomed into their homes now see their land as a global travel destination.”
The award also signals a new chapter for tourism in the Kurdistan Region, one built on sustainability, authenticity, and community empowerment.
“Kurdistan has always had the potential to be a world-class destination,” the KTO director added. “This recognition shows that people around the world value our nature, our culture, and our warmth. If visitors can fall in love with one mountain, imagine how much they’ll enjoy exploring the many more wonders our region holds. This is more than an award, it’s an invitation to rediscover Kurdistan.”
Looking forward, the KTO sees this milestone as both motivation and responsibility.
“Winning this award means we’re on the right track, but it also challenges us to go further,” the Barzi continued. “Our focus now is to make the trail more accessible, expand local participation, and strengthen partnerships that enhance the visitor experience while preserving the trail’s authenticity. We want to see the same success replicated in other parts of Kurdistan, turning one trail into a movement that connects people, cultures, and nature.”
The Zagros Mountain Trail’s win at the BGTW Awards highlights the growing recognition of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region as an emerging hub for responsible and community-driven tourism, a destination where visitors can experience connection, culture, and peace through the simple act of walking.
