36% increase in UK visitors in first nine months of 2012, following a 29% increase in 2011.
REYKJAVIK – Keflavik International Airport experienced a record breaking summer in passenger volume – up nine percent from 2011 during the busiest months of June, July and August. The trend continues with a predicted 19.8%t increase till year’s end, with a total traffic of 2.4 million passengers in 2012.
Approximately one-fourth, (650,000) of all airport transit passengers are projected to enter Iceland as tourists. For January – September, total tourism figures are up 17.2% since last year. 2011 saw a 29% increase in visitors from the UK, and this year the trend continues with a 36% increase in the first eight months of 2012. With a population of 320,000, tourists now more than double the number of locals.
Since 2010, Iceland’s tourism industry has experienced record growth, with the second most visitors from the UK, followed by Germany and Norway. Now the third highest yielding industry, after marine products and power intensive industries, tourism continues as a prime force in rebuilding Iceland’s economy following the 2008 banking collapse. International visitors spent approximately ISK 133bn ($1.1 billion) in 2011 or an increase of 13% from 2010.
“We are continuing to see record annual growth in the tourism sector, with Iceland’s unspoiled nature, rugged landscape and unique culture continuing to draw UK visitors. The UK is one of our most important markets, as the UK tourist is more likely than others to view Iceland as a year-round destination instead of summer only.” says Inga Hlín Pálsdóttir, Director of Marketing & Visit Iceland.
Airline operators aim at considerable increase in the winter schedule as well as summer 2013. Icelandair has announced a 15% increase in flights in the coming year. The company’s predicted rise in passengers is relatively higher in the winter season, which includes six new destinations.
Wow Air, which recently acquired Iceland’s other low cost carrier, Iceland Express, plans to double capacity with added destinations and frequency. Norwegian Air and easyJet both plan winter operations in Iceland.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
