Tourism in Iceland

Tourism is an important industry Icelandic. The share of the gross domestic product ( GDP) in 2006 was 4.1%. The share of employment in the tourism industry was about 4 % in 2000.

History

Tourism in Iceland took place between 1950, when about 4,000 visitors traveled to Iceland, and 1995, with about 190,000 visitors significantly. In the 1990s, the numbers of tourists rose again sharply; in 2000 there were just over 300,000 with something more tourists than Icelandic population.

Parallel to the increasing tourist numbers rose to overnight stays by foreign tourists. Alone between 1997 and 2008 they increased by 125%.

Almost 75 % of the foreign visitors are travelers from Europe, especially from Germany, the United Kingdom, France and other countries of Scandinavia. Approximately 19 % of tourists come from North America.

Tourist Destinations

Iceland is influenced both by the volcanic activity as well as by large glaciers and is right on the boundary between two tectonic plates ( Eurasian Plate and North American Plate ).

The main tourist season is during the summer months of June to August. At this time, the Icelandic school holidays and many boarding schools are then to summer Hotels ( Edda hotels). Not all hostels in Iceland are open all year round.

Common objectives for short stays are for bathing the Bláa Lónið (Blue Lagoon ) near the international airfield Keflavik, and on day trips to the Golden Circle. Added to Þingvellir, the historical Thingplace of Icelanders, the Haukadalur to the Geysir and the Gullfoss waterfall. From the capital region more remote destinations are the Skaftafell National Park in the south and the Lake Myvatn area in the north. Some coastal towns ( such as Húsavík ) from boat trips for whale watching.

Divers and snorkelers there is the Silfra column not only because of the Lavafeldformationen and the crystal clear water. The Silfra is located on the continental rift ( Mid-Atlantic ridge ) between America and Europe.

Equally popular are riding vacations and riding tours with the Iceland horse. These range from short rides on horse farms to multi-day guided tours also on the Highland routes or to participate in the sheep round.

Traffic

The island can be reached by plane or ferry. The car ferry runs Norröna for passengers and vehicles between Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Iceland from March to October. The formerly all-season passage was restricted to freight traffic in the winter half year 2007/ 2008.

The island can walk around in three days by bus. This tour can be interrupted at any time. On the ring road you can walk around with every car the island. For side trip to the highlands or other remote areas, off-road vehicles are required.