The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has issued an administrative directive signed by Amal Jalal, Chairman of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) General Board of Tourism, that requires the tourism industry to write on billboards and food menus in Kurdish besides other languages.

All hotels, motels, cafes, restaurants, and tourist places that provide tourism services are obliged to make Kurdish the primary language for the menu and signs of their places, and the directive will be effective after fifteen days from issuing the decree.  

According to the decree, written in seven points, all places with tourist licenses must use Kurdish as the primary language, followed by any other foreign language.

The decree instructed all general directorates and special committees to follow up on the implementation of the decision. The penalties for violators will be recorded starting with the closure of the place for three days, in case of repetition or more place for seven days.

Due to many foreign and Iraqi tourists to the Kurdistan Region, most tourist areas write signs and menus in other languages and are usually not followed by Kurdish.