Overnight stays in Icelandic hotels increased by 7% in May 2017, compared to May 2016, according to figures just published by Statistics Iceland. Hotels in West Iceland and the Westfjords registered a 1% decrease, compared to the year before. This marks an important turning point, as hotel stays have seen a large and increasing year-over-year increases in recent years.
Read more: Overnight stays at hotels sets new record in December: 56% year-over-year increase
Over the last twelve months, from June 2016 to May 2017, overnight stays in hotels were 4,142,000, which is an increase of approximately 30% compared with the previous year. In recent years the year-over-year increase in hotel stays has fluctuated between 20-30%.
A 50% decrease in campers
At the same time as the growth in hotel stays slows down campsites in North Iceland have registered a dramatic decrease in the number of guests. The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service reports that the campsite in the town of Akureyri has registered only half as many visitors this month as at the same time last year.
Read more:Fewer foreign travellers visiting Eastfjords, as visitors taking shorter trips during Iceland stay
A factor in the drop in campers in North Iceland is the rainy weather in June, but campsite operators have also noticed a clear drop in the number of foreign travellers.
A stronger Króna, weaker UK Pound factors
A stronger Icelandic Króna is a major reason for the slowdown in tourism. Representatives of the tourism industry have pointed out that due to the stronger Króna in relation to foreign currencies prices in Iceland have become more expensive for travellers. At the same time the exchange rate of the UK Pound has fallen, making Iceland even more expensive for British visitors. As the visit to Iceland becomes more expensive travellers cut down on longer trips, sticking to shorter day-trips out of Reykjavík.
The appreciation of the Króna since October 2013 now amounts to 47%.
Overnight stays in Icelandic hotels increased by 7% in May 2017, compared to May 2016, according to figures just published by Statistics Iceland. Hotels in West Iceland and the Westfjords registered a 1% decrease, compared to the year before. This marks an important turning point, as hotel stays have seen a large and increasing year-over-year increases in recent years.
Read more: Overnight stays at hotels sets new record in December: 56% year-over-year increase
Over the last twelve months, from June 2016 to May 2017, overnight stays in hotels were 4,142,000, which is an increase of approximately 30% compared with the previous year. In recent years the year-over-year increase in hotel stays has fluctuated between 20-30%.
A 50% decrease in campers
At the same time as the growth in hotel stays slows down campsites in North Iceland have registered a dramatic decrease in the number of guests. The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service reports that the campsite in the town of Akureyri has registered only half as many visitors this month as at the same time last year.
Read more:Fewer foreign travellers visiting Eastfjords, as visitors taking shorter trips during Iceland stay
A factor in the drop in campers in North Iceland is the rainy weather in June, but campsite operators have also noticed a clear drop in the number of foreign travellers.
A stronger Króna, weaker UK Pound factors
A stronger Icelandic Króna is a major reason for the slowdown in tourism. Representatives of the tourism industry have pointed out that due to the stronger Króna in relation to foreign currencies prices in Iceland have become more expensive for travellers. At the same time the exchange rate of the UK Pound has fallen, making Iceland even more expensive for British visitors. As the visit to Iceland becomes more expensive travellers cut down on longer trips, sticking to shorter day-trips out of Reykjavík.
The appreciation of the Króna since October 2013 now amounts to 47%.
