Another Record Year for Tourism Tourist numbers so far this year have surpassed last years’; if the trend continues, the total number of tourists visiting Iceland in 2011 will reach a record 600,000. This equals a 20% increase on last years’ record 500,000. This surge in tourist numbers has a number of explanations, including increased airline capacity and new destinations, the international publicity created by the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption in 2010 and the success of the Inspired by Iceland marketing campaign following the eruption. Although all major geographical markets are showing strong growth, there has been a marked increase in the number of visitors from the USA this year due to increased flight supply from the US market. There is reason to be optimistic about the coming months as well. Airline bookings for the 4th quarter are up by 30% compared to last year and preparations are underway for another major marketing campaign specially focused on promoting Iceland as a winter destination.

The whale watching company Gentle Giants in Húsavík introduces the newest addition to the fleet; Amma Sigga. A RHIB (Rigid-Hull Inflatable Boat) which arrived to Húsavík beginning of May 2011. For a long time Gentle Giants felt that Húsavík's oak boat whale watching has come to its limit of expansion. New not only to Skjálfandi Bay but also to the whole business of seafaring adventures. Said and done! This is the fastest boat on the north of Iceland. Her name means ”Granny Sigga” which comes from the owner's grandmother who also lived her whole life in this area. The new RHIB carrying her name will ride you in a breathtaking speed and gives the same butterflies as a world class roller coaster. They say that she is the fastest granny in the world.

Would you like to get a private tour or simply a lifetime adventure? Except for scheduled tours Amma Sigga will also be available for tailor made trips to Grímsey, Flatey, Naustavík a.s.o... The limitations of possibilities are up to your imagination. This will be a fun summer and you are welcome to enjoy it with us! RHIB Amma Sigga Built: 2011 / Length: 11,5 m / Engines: 2 x 300 hp / Max speed: 56 knots / For further information see: www.gentlegiants.is

Category: festival, family, horse
Date: March 26-April 02, 2011
Location: Laugardalur and Reykjavík City
Price: Entrance is free.
Description: The programme will consist of various events ranging from breeding shows to saddle making. The events will take place at breeding ranches and horse club locations in and around Reykajvík. The final day there will be a celebration in Reykjavik Zoo and Family Park where a selection of the best horses and everything related to the Icelandic horse will be introduced.
Website: www.icelandichorsefestival.is
 

VisitIceland recently made a 5 minute video highlighting Iceland as a tourism destination.... so enjoy!

See here: 2011 Iceland Video

Never before has there been so many things to choose from and enjoy in Reykjavík in December as this year. The city prides itself of three Christmas markets, one in the city centre, one in Hafnarfjordur and one in the woodlands of Heidmork just outside the city. All three very charming and different from the next. Children can write letters to Santa Claus at the House of Esja, in the foothills of Mt. Esja North of Reykjavík. Christmas buffets are served all over town and the recreational valley Laugardalur has put on a Christmas mode, with a relaxed Christmas atmosphere. Reykjavik Zoo & Family Park welcomes the Yule lads one each day from December 12. Café Flóra will host events like small Brass bands, Choirs, homemade Christmas decoration and more. At the Indoor Skating Rink people can skate around the Christmas tree and afterwards take a walk through the Botanical garden. CNNGo.com chose Reykjavík as #1Travel Destination for Christmas 2010. Perhaps one of the most important reason for that choice is that Iceland has 13 Santas instead of just as in most countries, also known as Yule Lads with names like the spoon licker, the door slammer and window peeper. Spooky names but these are funny guys have already started to treat children in Reykjavik with some goodies in the shoe. It is a tradition in Iceland to put one shoe in the window and wait for the Santas to come to town, one by one. However, you need to behave! If not, danger is that you will end up with a potato in your shoe if you don´t.

Imagine Reykjavik is a series of different events that reflect John Lennon and Yoko Ono‘s message of peace and love. The programme lasts for eight weeks and starts on the 9th of October, which would have been John Lennon‘s seventieth birthday. Like in previous years the Imagine Peace Tower is illuminated on this day and will stay lit until the day John Lennon died, the 8th of December. Among events already in the programme are a unique performance by the Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band in Háskólabíó, a series of concerts in Viðey, a competition for the best rendition of a Lennon song on Icelandic Radio 2, the presentation of awards from The Lennon Ono Grant For Peace and a screening of a new documentary by Ari Alexander on the making of the Imagine Peace Tower. Have a look at the programme!

Iceland – Greenland flights set to continue over winterIceland’s biggest domestic carrier, Air Iceland, is set to increase its Greenland service by offering flights to three Greenlandic towns all year round, RUV reports. Trade between Iceland and Greenland has been increasing fast and Air Iceland feels confident that year-round services to Nuuk, Kulusuk and Constable Point will prove viable. Until now, Air Iceland has run services, primarily for tourists, to five Greenlandic destinations in summertime only. There has been great demand for flights in winter, as there is a rapidly increasing flow of Icelandic developers and engineers to Greenland and Greenlandic medical patients to Iceland. Aside from Iceland, Greenland’s only international flight connection is to Copenhagen.