After some worrrying signs that visitor numbers at destinations further from Reykjavík were dropping, a recent study reveals that visitor numbers in Nort East Iceland have increased compared to the same time last year. Difficult winter driving conditions, which have on occasion taken foreign travelers by surprise in the northern part of Iceland, do not appear to have stopped travelers from visiting the many scenic destinations of the region.
A spokesman for Visit North Iceland told the National Broadcasting Service that visitor numbers in the North East have fluctuated significantly this year. Overnight stays at hotels and guesthouses in July registered a year-over-year drop, but the traffic has picked up in the fall. The increase in September and October suggest that it was too early to sound the warning bells earlier this year when some predicted a serious drop in visitor number in the North East.
Read more: Fewer foreign travelers visit NE Iceland: 33% drop in visitor numbers at major destinations
The increase is primarily due to growing number of US and Asian travelers on rental cars who are taking longer trips from Reykjavík. In the past US travelers have been more likely to take shorter day-trips in South Iceland, while visitors who take longer trips further from Reykjavík have have been more likely to come from Europe.
North East Iceland is not only home to some of Iceland's most beautiful spots, including magnificent waterfalls like Goðafoss and Dettifoss and lake Mývatn, but a choice destination for whale watching. The picturesque Húsavík village competes with Reykjavík and Akureyri as the best place to go whale watching in Iceland.
Read more: Stunning 360°panorama from Mývatn lake wins 2nd prize in international drone contest
North East Iceland is certainly one of the best choices for travelers who wish to avoid the crowds that can develop at some of the most popular sites in South Iceland.
After some worrrying signs that visitor numbers at destinations further from Reykjavík were dropping, a recent study reveals that visitor numbers in Nort East Iceland have increased compared to the same time last year. Difficult winter driving conditions, which have on occasion taken foreign travelers by surprise in the northern part of Iceland, do not appear to have stopped travelers from visiting the many scenic destinations of the region.
A spokesman for Visit North Iceland told the National Broadcasting Service that visitor numbers in the North East have fluctuated significantly this year. Overnight stays at hotels and guesthouses in July registered a year-over-year drop, but the traffic has picked up in the fall. The increase in September and October suggest that it was too early to sound the warning bells earlier this year when some predicted a serious drop in visitor number in the North East.
Read more: Fewer foreign travelers visit NE Iceland: 33% drop in visitor numbers at major destinations
The increase is primarily due to growing number of US and Asian travelers on rental cars who are taking longer trips from Reykjavík. In the past US travelers have been more likely to take shorter day-trips in South Iceland, while visitors who take longer trips further from Reykjavík have have been more likely to come from Europe.
North East Iceland is not only home to some of Iceland's most beautiful spots, including magnificent waterfalls like Goðafoss and Dettifoss and lake Mývatn, but a choice destination for whale watching. The picturesque Húsavík village competes with Reykjavík and Akureyri as the best place to go whale watching in Iceland.
Read more: Stunning 360°panorama from Mývatn lake wins 2nd prize in international drone contest
North East Iceland is certainly one of the best choices for travelers who wish to avoid the crowds that can develop at some of the most popular sites in South Iceland.
