According to the Icelandic Tourist Board the number of foreign guests visiting Iceland has more than tripled since 2000, with an average yearly growth rate of 9.3 %. The Guardian recently reported on Iceland’s tourist boom and the countries attempts to set stricter rules around Airbnb rentals – which have increased by 124% in one year, forcing up house prices in central Reykjavík and limiting the local rental market.
Read more: 4% of all apartments in Reykjavík listed on Airbnb
Ólöf Ýrr Atladóttir, the director of the Icelandic Tourist Board, told the Guardian that the legislation is “not an attempt to ban Airbnb, because many tourists preferred that experience to hotels” but rather to “establish controls”. She said Icelanders were generally positive towards visitors and tourism but noted that authorities need to monitor the industry more closely and “take care that we don’t, for example, create a city centre devoid of citizens”.
Read more: Village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur in South Iceland attempts to reign in Airbnb growth
Officials in the small village of Vík in Mýrdalur, South Iceland, recently decided not to issue new permits for home-accommodations in the village. Residents can continually rent out rooms in their homes but renting out entire apartments is prohibited.
According to the Icelandic Tourist Board the number of foreign guests visiting Iceland has more than tripled since 2000, with an average yearly growth rate of 9.3 %. The Guardian recently reported on Iceland’s tourist boom and the countries attempts to set stricter rules around Airbnb rentals – which have increased by 124% in one year, forcing up house prices in central Reykjavík and limiting the local rental market.
Read more: 4% of all apartments in Reykjavík listed on Airbnb
Ólöf Ýrr Atladóttir, the director of the Icelandic Tourist Board, told the Guardian that the legislation is “not an attempt to ban Airbnb, because many tourists preferred that experience to hotels” but rather to “establish controls”. She said Icelanders were generally positive towards visitors and tourism but noted that authorities need to monitor the industry more closely and “take care that we don’t, for example, create a city centre devoid of citizens”.
Read more: Village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur in South Iceland attempts to reign in Airbnb growth
Officials in the small village of Vík in Mýrdalur, South Iceland, recently decided not to issue new permits for home-accommodations in the village. Residents can continually rent out rooms in their homes but renting out entire apartments is prohibited.
