15 February 2010

Arrival figures hotting up for Iceland

Iceland experienced its highest ever visitor numbers in January as its non-euro status and improved accessibility look set to boost popularity further in 2010.

The destination suffered in 2009 as recession-hit Britain stayed at home - Brits provide the largest source market for Iceland.

But Iceland Tourist Board said the country saw an 11.6% year-on-year increase in visitor numbers from the UK in January - that amounts to 4,312 compared to 3,865 for the same month in 2009. That year, 61,619 visitors arrived from the UK.

Marketing manager UK Sigga Gróa Þórarinsdóttir said: "Despite the economic downturn, Iceland continues to be a popular destination for British holidaymakers year-round. Iceland still has an advantageous exchange rate compared with the euro, which means there has never been a better time for people to visit Iceland with UK travellers' spending money going a lot further.

"2009 was a challenging year for Iceland but these figures are very encouraging and there is further cause for optimism as visitors will soon have a greater range of travel options, not only from the UK but also within Iceland."

Iceland Express and Icelandair are to make the destination more accessible for British travellers. In June, there will be a new direct flight to Iceland’s second biggest city Akureyri while Birmingham is set to become the sixth UK airport serving Reykjavik.

Icelandair has doubled its services from Manchester and Glasgow for the winter 2009/2010 season already and Iceland Express has reintroduced flights from London Stansted.

UK travellers can already fly to Iceland from London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Manchester and Glasgow.

By Dinah Hatch