It is now more popular for tourists visiting Iceland to seek accommodation on online platforms such as Airbnb. This recent trend of renting from individuals can most likely be traced to factors such as budget reasons and an increased desire to be introduced to the culture and daily life of the city and nation.
According to Helga Árnadóttir, chairman of the Icelandic Travel Industry Association, this recent surge is a welcome addition to the diverse accommodation options now available in Iceland. However, renting from individuals is still subject to the laws and regulations of accommodation within Iceland; in addition purveyors of home accommodation must insure that all safety protocol is followed and that they pay their taxes accordingly, said Helga in an interview with ruv.is.
Nonetheless, the amount of tourists utilizing this “shared economy” model is not known. “There are a plethora of websites offering this service with Airbnb being the most popular. Most likely there are around 1000 renting options in Reykjavík alone, no to mention the entire country” according to Helga.
It is now more popular for tourists visiting Iceland to seek accommodation on online platforms such as Airbnb. This recent trend of renting from individuals can most likely be traced to factors such as budget reasons and an increased desire to be introduced to the culture and daily life of the city and nation.
According to Helga Árnadóttir, chairman of the Icelandic Travel Industry Association, this recent surge is a welcome addition to the diverse accommodation options now available in Iceland. However, renting from individuals is still subject to the laws and regulations of accommodation within Iceland; in addition purveyors of home accommodation must insure that all safety protocol is followed and that they pay their taxes accordingly, said Helga in an interview with ruv.is.
Nonetheless, the amount of tourists utilizing this “shared economy” model is not known. “There are a plethora of websites offering this service with Airbnb being the most popular. Most likely there are around 1000 renting options in Reykjavík alone, no to mention the entire country” according to Helga.
