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Vast majority of Reykjavík’s residents have a favourable attitude to travellers 1284

6. mar 2016 13:54

At the same time as the number of travellers visiting Iceland is increasing greatly we are happy to report that the overwhelming majority of Reykjavík’s residents continue to see our foreign guests positively.

According to a survey that was made for Visit Reykjavík by the market research company Maskína 94.5% of residents in the capital area see tourists favourably, quite favourably or very favourably. Only 5.5% expressed a negative view.

The survey shows us that around 86% the capital area’s inhabitants take great pride in living in a city that is welcoming to visitors. And nine out of ten people in the capital area feel that residents are hospitable, quite hospitable or very hospitable.

A great appreciation
According to figures from the Iceland Tourist Board visitor numbers were up 35% in the first four months of 2016 compared to the same period in 2015. This has not put a dent in locals' hospitality, quite the opposite in fact, as 68% of participants in the survey feel that the positive aspects of tourism outweigh the negative ones.

A majority of residents in the capital area feel that there has been an increase in leisure activities and services with growing tourism: 96% expressed the view there was more choice of restaurants, and nine out of ten said that there was more choice of cafés. Nearly 74% say that commerce has increased, just over 65% that there has been an increase in leisure activities, and 60% feel that more cultural activities are available.

Downtown residents happy with the influx
Reykjavík’s downtown area bears the brunt of the increased traffic, with many new hotels having sprung up or being built in the centre of the capital. Interestingly around 95% of residents in the centre of Reykjavík feel that tourists are friendly while the percentage is 90% for the rest of in the capital area. The conclusion is simple: more experience/knowledge brings more positive attitude.

The survey was submitted to residents in all postal distracts of the capital area between 11 and 26 April 2016. This is the second consecutive year that such a survey is made and this year’s findings are very similar to the 2015 survey.

 

 

At the same time as the number of travellers visiting Iceland is increasing greatly we are happy to report that the overwhelming majority of Reykjavík’s residents continue to see our foreign guests positively.

According to a survey that was made for Visit Reykjavík by the market research company Maskína 94.5% of residents in the capital area see tourists favourably, quite favourably or very favourably. Only 5.5% expressed a negative view.

The survey shows us that around 86% the capital area’s inhabitants take great pride in living in a city that is welcoming to visitors. And nine out of ten people in the capital area feel that residents are hospitable, quite hospitable or very hospitable.

A great appreciation
According to figures from the Iceland Tourist Board visitor numbers were up 35% in the first four months of 2016 compared to the same period in 2015. This has not put a dent in locals' hospitality, quite the opposite in fact, as 68% of participants in the survey feel that the positive aspects of tourism outweigh the negative ones.

A majority of residents in the capital area feel that there has been an increase in leisure activities and services with growing tourism: 96% expressed the view there was more choice of restaurants, and nine out of ten said that there was more choice of cafés. Nearly 74% say that commerce has increased, just over 65% that there has been an increase in leisure activities, and 60% feel that more cultural activities are available.

Downtown residents happy with the influx
Reykjavík’s downtown area bears the brunt of the increased traffic, with many new hotels having sprung up or being built in the centre of the capital. Interestingly around 95% of residents in the centre of Reykjavík feel that tourists are friendly while the percentage is 90% for the rest of in the capital area. The conclusion is simple: more experience/knowledge brings more positive attitude.

The survey was submitted to residents in all postal distracts of the capital area between 11 and 26 April 2016. This is the second consecutive year that such a survey is made and this year’s findings are very similar to the 2015 survey.