A poll conducted by the polling firm Gallup for the National Power Company of Iceland, Landsvirkjun, shows that almost all foreign visitors (93%) had become aware of renewable energy while visiting Iceland, and virtually everyone (97%) was positive toward Icelandic renewable energy. Nearly half expressed interest in visiting a power plant. Landsvirkjun believes these findings indicate there are opportunities to create closer connections between energy companies and the tourism industry, and to market renewable energy as an attraction to foreign visitors.
Read more: Geothermal power generates higher living standards, lower heating costs and less pollution
According to the poll 75% of foreign travellers felt that renewable energy had contributed to a positive image of Iceland and Icelandic nature, while 1% claimed it had impacted the experience negatively. More than a third said that increasing utilization of renewable energy in Iceland could increase their interest in coming back to Iceland in the future.
The poll also found that 46% of foreign travellers say they would consider visiting a visitor centre in a power plant if they were to visit Iceland again – a finding which the CEO of Landsvirkjun argues is an indication that there are unexplored opportunities in tying together tourism and energy generation. One of the most popular tourist destinations in Iceland, the Blue Lagoon, is of course operated in collaboration with the Svartsengi geothermal power plant.
Read more: Reykjanes Geopark: A volcanic wonderland less than an hour’s drive from Reykjavík
Several power plants have visitor centres. Visitor centres are operated at the hydropower stations of Ljósafoss, south of Þingvallavatnlake, Búrfelsstöð in South Iceland, and a tour guide at the Kárahnjúkar dam in the highlands of East Iceland. The Krafla geothermal power station in North East Iceland also has a visitor centre. ON Power also operates a Geothermal Energy Exhibition at the Hellisheiði Power Plant, east of Reykjavík and HS Orka operates an Energy exhibition in Reykjanesvirkjun geothermal power plant on Reykjanes peninsula in South West Iceland. These exhibitions and visitor centres are visited by thousands of travellers every year.
A poll conducted by the polling firm Gallup for the National Power Company of Iceland, Landsvirkjun, shows that almost all foreign visitors (93%) had become aware of renewable energy while visiting Iceland, and virtually everyone (97%) was positive toward Icelandic renewable energy. Nearly half expressed interest in visiting a power plant. Landsvirkjun believes these findings indicate there are opportunities to create closer connections between energy companies and the tourism industry, and to market renewable energy as an attraction to foreign visitors.
Read more: Geothermal power generates higher living standards, lower heating costs and less pollution
According to the poll 75% of foreign travellers felt that renewable energy had contributed to a positive image of Iceland and Icelandic nature, while 1% claimed it had impacted the experience negatively. More than a third said that increasing utilization of renewable energy in Iceland could increase their interest in coming back to Iceland in the future.
The poll also found that 46% of foreign travellers say they would consider visiting a visitor centre in a power plant if they were to visit Iceland again – a finding which the CEO of Landsvirkjun argues is an indication that there are unexplored opportunities in tying together tourism and energy generation. One of the most popular tourist destinations in Iceland, the Blue Lagoon, is of course operated in collaboration with the Svartsengi geothermal power plant.
Read more: Reykjanes Geopark: A volcanic wonderland less than an hour’s drive from Reykjavík
Several power plants have visitor centres. Visitor centres are operated at the hydropower stations of Ljósafoss, south of Þingvallavatnlake, Búrfelsstöð in South Iceland, and a tour guide at the Kárahnjúkar dam in the highlands of East Iceland. The Krafla geothermal power station in North East Iceland also has a visitor centre. ON Power also operates a Geothermal Energy Exhibition at the Hellisheiði Power Plant, east of Reykjavík and HS Orka operates an Energy exhibition in Reykjanesvirkjun geothermal power plant on Reykjanes peninsula in South West Iceland. These exhibitions and visitor centres are visited by thousands of travellers every year.
