Iceland’s financial difficulties have helped to improve the country’s image as a tourist destination, according to a new study.

The study, conducted in February by Copenhagen-based communications company Eye for Image, asked people in Denmark, Germany and the UK about their opinions of Iceland as a travel destination.

The results show that interest in visiting the country has actually increased since the global banking crisis hit last autumn.

The survey focused on respondents’ impressions of the destination and not on the fact that Iceland is now better value for money.

According to the Eye for Image agency, Iceland’s image did not suffer as a result of the financial collapse.

“Despite the negative content of a lot of the news, Iceland is very topical at the moment – an opportunity the country needs to seize and direct to its own advantage,” said Eye for Image partner David Hoskin.

According to the survey, the first thing 55% of Britons think about when the word ‘Iceland’ is mentioned is nature.

By Bev Fearis