For the first time since 2010 the number of foreign travelers who visited Iceland in April registered a drop over the previous year. The drop is yet another sign that the period of explosive growth in tourism, which began after the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption, has come to an end. This is welcome news to many, as it allows the industry and the government and municipal authorities time to complete necessary upgrades to infrastructure.
According to figures from Keflavík airport and the Icelandic Tourism Board the number of foreign travelers who have visited Iceland during April was 3.9% below the number in 2017. However, the first four months of 2018 still register a is 3.7% increase over the first four months of 2017. This is a significantly slower growth rate than in previous years. Between 2015 and 2015 visitor numbers grew by 28.6% during the first four months, by 34.7% between 2015 and 16 and by staggering 55.7% between 2016 and 17.
Read more: Fewer foreign travelers visit NE Iceland: 33% drop in visitor numbers at major destinations
When we view the high growth rates in previous years we must keep in mind that there was little to no tourism in Iceland prior to 2010, so the growth was from an extremely low figure. Iceland is still one of the least visited countries in Europe, making it extremely easy to avoid the crowds, even at the most popular destinations.
For the first time since 2010 the number of foreign travelers who visited Iceland in April registered a drop over the previous year. The drop is yet another sign that the period of explosive growth in tourism, which began after the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption, has come to an end. This is welcome news to many, as it allows the industry and the government and municipal authorities time to complete necessary upgrades to infrastructure.
According to figures from Keflavík airport and the Icelandic Tourism Board the number of foreign travelers who have visited Iceland during April was 3.9% below the number in 2017. However, the first four months of 2018 still register a is 3.7% increase over the first four months of 2017. This is a significantly slower growth rate than in previous years. Between 2015 and 2015 visitor numbers grew by 28.6% during the first four months, by 34.7% between 2015 and 16 and by staggering 55.7% between 2016 and 17.
Read more: Fewer foreign travelers visit NE Iceland: 33% drop in visitor numbers at major destinations
When we view the high growth rates in previous years we must keep in mind that there was little to no tourism in Iceland prior to 2010, so the growth was from an extremely low figure. Iceland is still one of the least visited countries in Europe, making it extremely easy to avoid the crowds, even at the most popular destinations.
