Iceland warming up for North Americans
North American travelers are warming up to Iceland thanks to recommendations by new books, magazine articles and TV shows, says VisitIceland.
“Add in the fascination over its world-famous (but virtually unpronounceable) volcanic eruption in 2010 and it’s no wonder Iceland has experienced double digit increases in visitation this year, moving the country up on American ‘bucket lists’ as a must-see destination in 2012,” the site says.
Over 3,000 readers of Lonely Planet banded together to elect Iceland the Reader's Choice Best Destination and Reykjavik as the Best City in the Best in Travel 2012 guidebook. "Clearly, in the view of voters, this is Iceland’s year for travelers," wrote the guidebook’s editors.
The country was also featured on the new ABC television program Born To Explore.
The result was that travel from North America is up over 52 percent compared to the same time last year.
“Within five hours flying time from the East Coast travelers can be sitting under the Northern Lights soaking in geothermal spas and indulging in the freshest seafood imaginable,” said Sig Gustavsson, area manager of North America for VisitIceland.
The area is taking advantage of its new-found fame by offering several packages.
By David Wilkening
David
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