iceland tourist numbers

Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

Industry-specific and extensively researched technical data (partially from exclusive partnerships). A paid subscription is required for full access.

• Inbound tourism volume in Iceland 1950-2021

Point of entry

Travel season, number of international visitor arrivals in iceland from 1950 to 2021 (in 1,000s).

• Immediate access to 1m+ statistics
• Incl. source references
• Download as PNG, PDF, XLS, PPT

Additional Information

Show sources information Show publisher information Use Ask Statista Research Service

1950, 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010 to 2021

Based on data from Isavia and Smyril Line. Release date is the date of access. Numbers were rounded.

Other statistics on the topic Travel and tourism in Iceland

• Total tourism contribution to GDP in Iceland 2019-2021
• Main countries of origin among inbound passengers at Keflavik Airport in Iceland 2022

Accommodation

• Hotel offer in Iceland 2022, by region
• Domestic tourism spending in Iceland 2019-2021

To download this statistic in XLS format you need a Statista Account

To download this statistic in PNG format you need a Statista Account

To download this statistic in PDF format you need a Statista Account

To download this statistic in PPT format you need a Statista Account

As a Premium user you get access to the detailed source references and background information about this statistic.

As a Premium user you get access to background information and details about the release of this statistic.

As soon as this statistic is updated, you will immediately be notified via e-mail.

… to incorporate the statistic into your presentation at any time.

You need at least a Starter Account to use this feature.

• Immediate access to statistics, forecasts & reports
• Usage and publication rights
• Download in various formats

You only have access to basic statistics. This statistic is not included in your account.

• Instant access  to 1m statistics
• Download  in XLS, PDF & PNG format
• Detailed  references

Business Solutions including all features.

Statistics on " Travel and tourism in Iceland "

• Evaluation of the tourism infrastructure in the Nordic countries 2021
• Evaluation of the tourism enabling environment in the Nordic countries 2021
• Evaluation of the tourism policy and conditions in the Nordic countries 2021
• Evaluation of the tourism demand drivers in the Nordic countries 2021
• Evaluation of the tourism sustainability in the Nordic countries 2021
• Total tourism contribution to employment in Iceland 2019-2021
• Contribution of tourism spending to Icelandic GDP 2010-2021, by type
• Tourism intensity in Iceland 2010-2021
• Expenditure of Icelandic households on package holidays 2010-2022
• International tourism volume in Iceland 2012-2021, by point of entry
• Overnight visitor arrivals in Iceland 2010-2022
• Share of inbound passengers at Keflavik Airport in Iceland 2022, by purpose
• Average length of stay of overnight visitors in Iceland 2022, by country of origin
• Inbound cruise ship passengers in Iceland 2010-2022
• Domestic overnight tourism volume in Iceland 2010-2022
• Overnights by domestic guests in lodgings in Iceland 2010-2022
• Monthly hotel offer in Iceland 2019-2022
• Hotel capacity in Iceland 2022, by region
• Hotel room occupancy in Iceland 2010-2022
• Hotel room occupancy in Iceland 2022, by region

Other statistics that may interest you Travel and tourism in Iceland

Regional overview

• Premium Statistic Evaluation of the tourism infrastructure in the Nordic countries 2021
• Premium Statistic Evaluation of the tourism enabling environment in the Nordic countries 2021
• Premium Statistic Evaluation of the tourism policy and conditions in the Nordic countries 2021
• Premium Statistic Evaluation of the tourism demand drivers in the Nordic countries 2021
• Premium Statistic Evaluation of the tourism sustainability in the Nordic countries 2021

Economic impact

• Basic Statistic Total tourism contribution to GDP in Iceland 2019-2021
• Basic Statistic Total tourism contribution to employment in Iceland 2019-2021
• Premium Statistic Contribution of tourism spending to Icelandic GDP 2010-2021, by type
• Premium Statistic Tourism intensity in Iceland 2010-2021
• Premium Statistic Expenditure of Icelandic households on package holidays 2010-2022

International tourism

• Premium Statistic Inbound tourism volume in Iceland 1950-2021
• Premium Statistic International tourism volume in Iceland 2012-2021, by point of entry
• Premium Statistic Overnight visitor arrivals in Iceland 2010-2022
• Premium Statistic Main countries of origin among inbound passengers at Keflavik Airport in Iceland 2022
• Premium Statistic Share of inbound passengers at Keflavik Airport in Iceland 2022, by purpose
• Premium Statistic Average length of stay of overnight visitors in Iceland 2022, by country of origin
• Premium Statistic Inbound cruise ship passengers in Iceland 2010-2022

Domestic tourism

• Premium Statistic Domestic overnight tourism volume in Iceland 2010-2022
• Basic Statistic Overnights by domestic guests in lodgings in Iceland 2010-2022
• Basic Statistic Domestic tourism spending in Iceland 2019-2021
• Premium Statistic Monthly hotel offer in Iceland 2019-2022
• Premium Statistic Hotel offer in Iceland 2022, by region
• Premium Statistic Hotel capacity in Iceland 2022, by region
• Premium Statistic Hotel room occupancy in Iceland 2010-2022
• Premium Statistic Hotel room occupancy in Iceland 2022, by region

Further related statistics

• Premium Statistic Number of inbound visits to the UK 2019-2022, by age group
• Premium Statistic European travelers in Spain 2023, by origin
• Premium Statistic Number of tourist arrivals from the U.S. to Europe 2019-2022, by destination
• Premium Statistic Italy: number of Austrian tourist arrivals in 2015, by region of destination
• Premium Statistic Italy: number of US tourist arrivals in 2015, by month
• Premium Statistic Number of tourist arrivals from Mexico to Europe 2019-2022, by region of destination
• Premium Statistic Italy: number of British tourist arrivals in 2015, by month
• Premium Statistic Italy: number of overnight stays of Austrians in 2015, by region of destination
• Premium Statistic Tourists from the Americas in Spain 2016-2023, by origin
• Basic Statistic Number of tourist arrivals from Argentina to Europe 2019-2022, by destination
• Premium Statistic Number of inbound tourist arrivals in Russia 2014-2022
• Premium Statistic Tourists from Asia in Spain 2016-2023, by origin
• Basic Statistic International tourists arrivals in Slovenia 2010-2022
• Premium Statistic Italy: international tourists´ arrivals in Sardinia 2016, by province
• Premium Statistic Italy: international tourists´ arrivals in Abruzzo 2016, by province
• Premium Statistic Per capita daily expenditure of inbound tourists in Florence 2018-2019, by category
• Premium Statistic Number of outbound travelers Bangladesh 2013-2021
• Premium Statistic Mexico: number of flight arrivals in Cancun 2016-2019, by type of route

Further Content: You might find this interesting as well

• Number of inbound visits to the UK 2019-2022, by age group
• European travelers in Spain 2023, by origin
• Number of tourist arrivals from the U.S. to Europe 2019-2022, by destination
• Italy: number of Austrian tourist arrivals in 2015, by region of destination
• Italy: number of US tourist arrivals in 2015, by month
• Number of tourist arrivals from Mexico to Europe 2019-2022, by region of destination
• Italy: number of British tourist arrivals in 2015, by month
• Italy: number of overnight stays of Austrians in 2015, by region of destination
• Tourists from the Americas in Spain 2016-2023, by origin
• Number of tourist arrivals from Argentina to Europe 2019-2022, by destination
• Number of inbound tourist arrivals in Russia 2014-2022
• Tourists from Asia in Spain 2016-2023, by origin
• International tourists arrivals in Slovenia 2010-2022
• Italy: international tourists´ arrivals in Sardinia 2016, by province
• Italy: international tourists´ arrivals in Abruzzo 2016, by province
• Per capita daily expenditure of inbound tourists in Florence 2018-2019, by category
• Number of outbound travelers Bangladesh 2013-2021
• Mexico: number of flight arrivals in Cancun 2016-2019, by type of route

Tourism in Iceland

Development of the tourism sector in iceland from 1995 to 2021.

Revenues from tourism

All data for Iceland in detail

International tourism, number of arrivals - Iceland

Selected Countries and Economies

All countries and economies.

• Privacy Notice
• Access to Information

This site uses cookies to optimize functionality and give you the best possible experience. If you continue to navigate this website beyond this page, cookies will be placed on your browser. To learn more about cookies, click here.

Javascript is disabled.

Your current browser configuration is not compatible with this site.

June 2022: Iceland’s busiest tourist month in nearly three years

More tourists visited Iceland in June than in any single month since autumn 2019. The tourism industry is regaining its pre-pandemic ranking as Iceland’s #1 export sector. The outlook is for around 1.6 million tourist arrivals in 2022 as a whole.

Foreign nationals’ departures via Keflavík Airport topped 176,000 in June, according to recently published figures from the Icelandic Tourist Board. This made June the busiest month in terms of visitor numbers since September 2019, a scant half-year before the COVID-19 pandemic struck worldwide, laying waste to tourism in Iceland and elsewhere. A comparison of June data over the past decade shows that this year’s tourist arrivals came to 90% of the June 2019 total, making last month the fifth-strongest June since the tourism boom started.

In terms of nationality, the composition of the group of tourists visiting Iceland has changed markedly since the pandemic struck. Visitors from the US have comprised a somewhat larger share of tourists in the past two years than they generally did during the years beforehand. This June, Americans accounted for just over 30% of all arrivals, far outnumbering other nationalities. Next in line were visitors from Germany (12%), France (6%), the UK (6%), Poland (4%), and Italy (4%), while visitors from the Nordic countries accounted for a combined 10% of arrivals.

In comparison, Americans accounted for just over 23% of visitors in 2019, and Germans accounted for just under 7%, while British and Chinese visitors accounted for just over 13% and 7%, respectively. There have been few Chinese tourists in Iceland since the onset of the pandemic, as the Chinese authorities have maintained tight restrictions on travel to and from the country. In H1/2022, only 1.5% of tourists visiting Iceland came from China. It should be noted, though, that Icelandic Tourist Board data include visitors from Hong Kong and Taiwan with those from mainland China.

Americans appear to spend more in Iceland than many other groups do, so the proportional increase in tourists from the US is good news for revenues in the sector. According to a newly published report from the Icelandic Centre for Retail Studies, foreign tourists’ June 2022 payment card turnover in Iceland was the highest ever recorded in the month of June. Turnover came to just over ISK 28bn, some 38.5% of it from Americans. The recent appreciation of the US dollar versus other major currencies has boosted Americans’ purchasing power abroad, including in Iceland. In 2022 to date, the USD has strengthened by just over 6% versus the ISK, whereas the euro has fallen by nearly 6% and the pound sterling by nearly 7%.

Tourism back in first place

More than 391,000 tourists came to Iceland via Keflavík Airport in Q2/2022, making it the busiest quarter since Q4/2019. Obviously, increased tourist traffic brings stronger foreign exchange revenues with it. According to data from Statistics Iceland (SI), export revenues from travel and passenger transport by air totalled ISK 107bn in Q3/2021, and 370,000 tourists visited the country during the quarter. Furthermore, newly published numbers from the Centre for Retail Studies show that foreign tourists’ card turnover in Iceland came to just under ISK 62bn in Q2/2022, as compared with ISK 66bn in Q3/2021.

Based on these figures, it is reasonably safe to assume that tourism-generated export revenues in Q2/2022 were probably on a par with those in Q3/2021, as the number of tourists visiting the country was noticeably higher. In other sectors, export revenues from fishing and aquaculture totalled nearly ISK 101bn in Q2/2022, and revenues from aluminium exports came to ISK 104bn. According to all of this, tourism is rapidly regaining its former position as Iceland’s leading export sector. In fact, we expect it to pull ahead of fishing and aluminium in terms of revenue generation as soon as Q3.

Tourist numbers set to rise in the near future

In our most recent macroeconomic forecast , published in May, we projected that 1.5-1.6 million tourists would visit Iceland in 2022 – about the same number as in the mid-2010s, if our forecast materialises. We expect tourist numbers to rise to 1.9 million in 2023 and 2.1 million in 2024.

For this year, the May and June totals were somewhat above our projections, and the outlook for the latter half of the summer is also better than we had anticipated. As a result, we consider it likely that this year’s total will be close to 1.6 million, although as before, it is uncertain how quickly numbers will rise thereafter.

The slower increase further ahead is due in part to a higher real exchange rate, which will make Iceland more expensive in comparison with other destinations, and the prospect of weaker growth in global demand, which we expect to dampen consumers’ appetite and capacity for travel on both sides of the Atlantic. The global economic outlook has actually dimmed somewhat since we published our forecast, although fortunately, there is little or no sign as yet of reduced appetite for travel to Iceland.

In the recent past, travellers visiting Iceland have tended to stay longer than they generally did during the years before the pandemic. We think it quite likely that in the coming term, average revenues per tourist will be somewhat above the average of the past decade. This suggests that tourism will soon regain its position as Iceland’s leading export sector, and in our opinion, the rapid growth within the sector will play a major role in the flip we expect to see in the current account from deficit to surplus.

Jón Bjarki Bentsson

Chief economist

Related articles

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

Almost Two Million Tourists in 2019

mbl.is/Eggert Jóhannesson

Almost two million tourists visited Iceland in 2019 via Keflavík International Airport, or 14.2 percent fewer than the previous year, according to the website of the Iceland Tourist Board . Proportionally, the greatest reduction in tourist numbers from the previous year was in May (23.6 percent) and September (20.7 percent), while the reduction was much smaller during the winter months.

Despite the drop in tourist numbers since 2018, 2019 was the year when the third greatest number of visitors came to Iceland since data on tourist numbers were first collected.

About 71 percent of the tourists who visited Iceland last year came from ten countries. Most of the tourists came from the US, followed by those from the UK, China, Germany and France. Compared to 2018, the number of US visitors decreased the most, or by about a third, followed by those from Canada, whose numbers dropped by 20 percent and tourists from the UK, who were 12 percent fewer last year than in 2018. 

Foreign tourists spent on average 6.6 days in the country in 2019, or about as long a time as the previous year. On average, tourists stayed the longest in August and July (8.4 and 8.0 days, respectively), and the shortest in January and February (4.5 and 5.1 days, respectively). The tourists among the ten largest groups of nationalities who stayed the longest in the country were from Germany, France, Spain and Italy.

A high NPS (Net Promoter Score) indicates how pleased tourists are with their stay. That score was 80 out of 100 in 2019.

Warn people to go walking to the eruption

Neither seen before in this country nor anywhere else

Dacia Duster is no longer in the lava field

The crater's wall has risen since yesterday

Planning for a safe route for visitors at the eruption site

"A clear case of vandalism"

"I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous"

Win a trip to Iceland

News | 2.3 Million Tourists to Visit Iceland in 2023, Model Predicts

2.3 Million Tourists to Visit Iceland in 2023, Model Predicts

• Ragnar Tómas
• October 21, 2022
• News , Tourism

A predictive model expects 1.7 million tourists to visit Iceland through Keflavík Airport this year. The model expects this number to increase by 600,000 in 2023.

Predictive models

Dr. Gunnar Haraldsson, founder and CEO of the economic consultancy firm Intellecon , has led the development of a statistical model employed, among other things, to forecast tourist visits to Iceland. The project began in the fall of 2020.

Yesterday, Gunnar addressed the audience at a meeting hosted by the Icelandic Tourist Board. In his lecture, he introduced the model and some of its predictions, among them – that 1.7 million tourists would visit Iceland in 2022.

Speaking to RÚV , Gunnar stated that the model predicted 600,000 more tourists to visit Iceland in 2023: “Next year, we predict that number to increase to 2.3 million. All of this comes with caveats since there are a number of uncertainties that can impact the model.”

Alongside forecasting visits, Gunnar Haraldsson and his team also predict revenue and overnight stays. “We’re looking into credit-card turnover. The model predicts that tourists will spend ca. ISK 250 billion ($1.7 billion / €1.8 billion) this year and ISK 330 billion ($2.3 billion / €2.3 billion) next year. And so you can say that tourists spend a considerable amount on products and services in Iceland. Our numbers are predicated on data from local credit card companies,” Gunnar told RÚV.

Gunnar added that winter tourism was picking up steam, with some indications that seasonal fluctuations are gradually evening out. Overnight stays in 2022 are predicted to reach 4.5 million but will rise to 5.5 million next year. The model further predicts that 3.5 million tourists will visit Iceland in the year 2030. As noted in the press release by the Icelandic Tourist Board, this would mean a 50% increase from 2018, which was a record year for tourist visits to Iceland .

Sign up for our weekly newsletter

Get news from Iceland, photos, and in-depth stories delivered to your inbox every week!

Subscribe to Iceland Review

In-depth stories and high-quality photography showcasing life in Iceland!

Share article

Recommended Posts

Lava Has Breached Defensive Wall

Björk Encourages Icelanders to Fight Fishing Bill

Man Walks 100 Kilometres for Suicide Prevention

Keeping Geese Away from Runway a Challenging Job

Cynthia Nixon Joins Icelandic Student Protest

• Public Urged to Stay Away from Eruption
• Japanese Ski Jumper Targets World Record in Akureyri
• Large Earthquake Hints at Bárðarbunga Unrest
• Charges Dropped Against Footballer Gylfi Þór Sigurðsson
• Suspected Manslaughter in South Iceland
• Is the Blue Lagoon in Iceland open after the eruption?

To provide the best experiences, we and our partners use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us and our partners to process personal data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site and show (non-) personalized ads. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.

Click below to consent to the above or make granular choices. Your choices will be applied to this site only. You can change your settings at any time, including withdrawing your consent, by using the toggles on the Cookie Policy, or by clicking on the manage consent button at the bottom of the screen.

Advertisement

Supported by

Iceland Tourism Prepares for a Comeback

The country hopes that when people book their first post-pandemic flights overseas, Iceland will be the top choice. It also aims to learn from the recent past, when tourist numbers soared.

• Share full article

By Paige McClanahan

In a normal October, the Radisson BLU Saga Hotel in Reykjavik would be buzzing with tourists hoping for a glimpse of the Northern Lights, business travelers in town for trade fairs, honeymooners gearing up for a tour of Iceland’s waterfalls and geothermal spas. This year, of course, things are very different.

“It’s surreal,” said Ingibjorg Olafsdottir, the hotel’s general manager. “It’s completely quiet.”

Since March, even with government support, Ms. Olafsdottir’s staff has shrunk from 140 to just 16. The hotel, which has more than 200 rooms, normally has an occupancy rate of above 75 percent, but it fell to 11 percent in September.

“It’s been emotional,” Ms. Olafsdottir said, adding that, even after cutting down to bare-bones operations, the hotel continues to rack up debt. “But the thing is, I think everybody is in the same boat here.”

Tourism is undergoing an unprecedented downturn all over the world, but several factors make Iceland particularly vulnerable to the industry’s crash: geographic isolation, a small domestic population, strict border measures and an economy that — after an extraordinary, decade-long tourism boom — had come to depend heavily on foreign tourists. A recent surge in coronavirus cases has added to Iceland’s challenges.

But while visitor numbers are low, Iceland is positioning itself for a major tourism rebound after the pandemic. The government is investing more than $12 million in tourism infrastructure, while improving roads and harbors across the country. To keep the tourism industry afloat in the short term, the government is also investing more than $9 million in a program that distributes free travel vouchers to Icelandic citizens and residents. A marketing campaign targeting domestic tourists was rolled out in the late spring; an international version will be unveiled as soon as travel restrictions are lifted.

The government hopes that when people go to book their first post-pandemic flights overseas, Iceland will be at the top of their list.

The tourism boom

A lack of tourists was the last thing that Icelanders were worrying about in 2018, when the country welcomed a record-breaking 2.3 million visitors — more than six times Iceland’s population.

It was the height of a tourism boom that most observers trace to 2008, when a steep drop in the value of the Icelandic krona — which was linked to the economic crisis that hit the country that year — suddenly made Iceland much more affordable to outsiders. Then in April 2010, the cloud of ash from the eruption of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano forced the temporary closure of a large swath of European airspace — and put Iceland into headlines around the world. The government had rolled out the “Inspired by Iceland” marketing campaign just a few weeks after the eruption hit the news, and what started as a travel nuisance turned into a giant publicity boon.

Tourism took off. Visitor numbers rose from 459,000 in 2010 to more than 2.3 million in 2018. Economically, tourism came to account for 8.6 percent of gross domestic product and 39 percent of the country’s total export revenue. Roughly 30,000 people — nearly 16 percent of Iceland’s work force — were employed in the tourism industry in 2018.

Signs of tourism’s impact began cropping up in Reykjavik: Dunkin’ Donuts appeared in 2015 (all locations have since closed); a Hard Rock Cafe opened the following year; H&M arrived in 2017. In the countryside, sites that had once welcomed a handful of visitors were full of tour groups. Many tourists were seen parking their camper vans illegally , while others were caught defecating wherever they pleased .

“In a typical summer, you would see camper vans parked just about anywhere,” said Jenna Gottlieb, the author of the Moon Iceland travel guide and an American who has lived in Iceland since 2012. “That gets a lot of backlash from people because there aren’t toilets in a parking lot or wherever people are parking. It’s seen as so disrespectful.”

In 2015, a Justin Bieber music video transformed an obscure corner of the Icelandic countryside into a must-see spot for the Instagram crowd. The site — Fjadrargljufur canyon, which had little infrastructure in place when the video was filmed — was soon inundated with tourists. Iceland’s environmental agency later closed the site to visitors in the springtime, when the thawing earth is especially vulnerable to damage.

A survey of tourists in the summer of 2016 found that at all but two destinations — the popular Gullfoss waterfall and Geysir Geothermal Area — a majority of visitors weren’t bothered by the size of the crowds. Most Icelanders also remained positive about tourism. Indeed, the industry’s rise brought locals many benefits: a broader range of jobs and restaurants, more affordable flights to other parts of the world. Plus, many of them actually enjoyed having visitors. Unlike other European tourist hot spots like Venice and Barcelona, Iceland has no active anti-tourism movement.

Icelanders “are just warmhearted people who like to have visitors,” said Anna Dora Saethorsdottir, a professor of tourism at the University of Iceland. “We are proud of our culture, we are proud of our nature. When you’re proud of something, you also love showing it. Most Icelanders are very positive toward tourism.”

But still, concerns started to mount. Foreign experts and many Icelanders worried about the pressure that all of those tourists were putting on the country’s fragile natural landscape. “Overtourism” appeared in a travel story about Iceland in 2016, and use of the term began to spread .

Of course, it wasn’t to last. In 2017, the Icelandic krona strengthened, making the country more expensive. In March 2019, WOW Air, an Icelandic low-cost airline, collapsed . Tourist numbers that year declined by about 14 percent, to just under 2 million. And then came 2020.

‘Everyone is crying’

The summer started off fairly well. Coronavirus numbers in Iceland were low and travel within Europe’s Schengen Area, of which Iceland is a member, began opening up. Travelers to Iceland could choose either to undergo a virus test on arrival or self-quarantine for 14 days. At the same time, the government rolled out a campaign to promote tourism among the island’s roughly 366,000 inhabitants, offering tourism vouchers worth 5,000 krona (about $36) to every Icelandic resident over the age of 18.

The summer was “pretty good, considering everything,” said Bjarnheidur Hallsdottir, the chair of the board of the Icelandic Travel Industry Association and the chief executive of two tourism companies. “And then suddenly out of nowhere, the government decided to change the rules at the borders. Since then, everyone is crying.”

Under the new rules, which took effect on Aug. 19 and are still in place, arriving passengers may choose either to submit to two screening tests for the virus, separated by five days’ self-quarantine, or to skip border screening and self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival.

“Given the uptick in infections worldwide and the widespread effect that a small infection can have on the functioning of our society, the Government has decided to strengthen our border-screening measures to further limit the number of infections entering the country,” Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir said when the rules were announced.

When the new measures took effect, Ms. Hallsdottir said, tourist numbers plunged. And while virus cases remained low for most of the summer, the country has registered a wave of new infections since the middle of September, even with the new measures in force. Many of the recent cases have been linked to a pair of French tourists who tested positive for the virus when they arrived in the country, but then failed to isolate, Iceland’s Visir.is news outlet reported . On Oct. 5, the government ordered bars, nightclubs and gyms to close, and banned most gatherings of more than 20 people.

As in most parts of the world, the tumult of the last several months has triggered a surge in unemployment in Iceland. Between March and August of this year, about 8,000 people — roughly 4 percent of the country’s labor force — were laid off, according to Iceland’s Directorate of Labour; most of those layoffs were in the tourism industry. Iceland’s unemployment rate reached 8.5 percent in August, compared to just 2.5 percent two years earlier. The agency predicted a rise in job losses in September and October.

Ms. Hallsdottir says that tourism operators are now looking to the government to help them cover running costs, or to pay the wages of a few personnel who can keep the companies afloat.

“If no one answers the phone or answers the emails, there will be no tourism next year,” she said.

Investing for the future

After the 2008 banking crisis, Iceland’s tourism boom helped to propel the country into an impressive economic rebound. But while the rapid growth in foreign arrivals created jobs and revenue, it also outpaced the government’s ability to build the infrastructure that was needed to manage so many new visitors. Now, with tourist numbers low, the government has a chance to catch up.

This year, the Icelandic government is investing roughly 1.7 billion Icelandic krona (about $12.3 million) in infrastructure at both public and private tourist spots across the country, said Skarphedinn Berg Steinarsson, director general of the Icelandic Tourist Board. Roughly 1 billion krona has been set aside for infrastructure at national parks, protected areas and large public tourist sites, while 700 million krona is going into the country’s Tourist Site Protection Fund. The investments were already being planned last year, but the government increased the funding after the pandemic hit. Further investments will support harbor and road improvements throughout the country.

The improvements at tourist sites have two goals, Mr. Steinarsson said in an interview, “allowing them to receive bigger numbers — creating parking spaces, walking paths, etc. — but also preserving the nature to make sure that the sites will not be worn down when we get the visitors back.”

The largest grants from the Tourist Site Protection Fund are supporting the construction of a viewing platform on Bolafjall Mountain in the Westfjords, he said, as well as infrastructure at Studlagil Canyon , where a viewing platform is being installed as well as new walkways, toilets and information signs. These improvements are meant to keep tourists safe (the Bolafjall site features a steep cliff), while also protecting the landscape from environmental damage and improving the overall visitor experience.

The Studlagil Canyon is an example of a phenomenon that is not uncommon in Iceland: a site that was created not by the hosts, but by the visitors. The canyon — which features dramatic basalt-column cliffs lining the banks of a glacial-fed river — was “discovered” as an attractive destination only recently, Mr. Steinarsson said, after the river’s flow was made much calmer following the construction of a nearby hydroelectric plant.

“This is one of those sites that are created on social media,” Mr. Steinarsson said. “But there’s no infrastructure there, no parking sites, no toilets. What happens when you start allowing 100,000 or 500,000 visitors? Everything gets torn down because nothing is designed to accommodate that.”

Now the government is working with the owners of the land to build pathways, parking spaces and toilets. The goal, Mr. Steinarsson said, is to ensure that visitors can enjoy the site “without spoiling anything.”

The kind of infrastructure being installed at Studlagil is already in place at most of Iceland’s more established destinations, particularly in the Golden Circle — an area not far from Reykjavik that includes some of the country’s most famous tourist destinations: Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir Geothermal Area and Thingvellir National Park , among other spots. While the infrastructure in those areas is already fairly good, Mr. Steinarsson said, any areas that are particularly fragile will need continual upkeep — and funding — to protect against damage from visitors.

Plenty of Icelanders would have seen these places over the last several months, and enjoyed them with smaller crowds than usual. A marketing campaign encouraging Icelanders to explore their country was rolled out in the late spring (“ Island — komdu med! ” or “Iceland — come join us!”), while the government’s travel voucher campaign helped to jump-start demand for hotels, restaurants and attractions. So far, Icelanders have used more than $1.2 million worth of their free travel vouchers, which are valid through the end of the year. The most popular spots have been FlyOver Iceland, an attraction in Reykjavik; Islandshotel, a hotel chain; and Blue Lagoon, the geothermal spa near the country’s biggest airport.

“It was a success,” said Mr. Steinarsson of the efforts to encourage domestic tourism. “Icelanders really enjoyed their country during the summertime. And that’s what counts.”

Looking ahead

What will Icelandic tourism look like after travel restrictions are finally lifted? Several people interviewed expressed the hope that future tourists would make longer visits and take the time to explore less popular corners of the country.

“If you get off the beaten path a little bit — and you don’t even have to go that far — you can get more of a remote feeling, a more private version of Iceland,” said Ms. Gottlieb, the travel guide author.

It’s a kind of travel that seems in line with how consumer attitudes have shifted during the pandemic, said Peter Jordan, head of strategy and research at Toposophy, a destination marketing and management agency. People are looking for “open spaces, fresh air, nature, walking routes, cycling trails, outdoor activities, and perhaps a much slower form of travel,” he said in an interview. By those measures, Iceland — which has the lowest population density in Europe — scores very well indeed.

Even Ms. Olafsdottir, the hotel manager, was optimistic about the country’s prospects for post-pandemic tourism.

“The population is so small and the country is so big,” she said. “For Iceland, that’s a huge opportunity.”

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation.

This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to collect information about how you interact with our website and allow us to remember you. We use this information in order to improve and customize your browsing experience and for analytics and metrics about our visitors both on this website and other media. To find out more about the cookies we use, see our Cookies Policy .

If you decline, your information won’t be tracked when you visit this website. A single cookie will be used in your browser to remember your preference not to be tracked.

Iceland Visitor Arrivals

• Iceland Visitor Arrivals recorded 488,000 person in Dec 2020, compared with 2,202,000 person in the previous year
• Iceland Visitor Arrivals data is updated yearly, available from Dec 1995 to Dec 2020
• The data reached an all-time high of 2,488,000 person in Dec 2018 and a record low of 211,000 person in Dec 1995

View Iceland's Visitor Arrivals from 1995 to 2020 in the chart:

What was Iceland's Visitor Arrivals in 2020?

Iceland Visitor Arrivals recorded 488,000 person in Dec 2020, compared with 2,202,000 person in the previous year See the table below for more data.

Visitor Arrivals by Country Comparison

Buy selected data, accurate macro & micro economic data you can trust.

Explore the most complete set of 6.6 million time series covering more than 200 economies, 20 industries and 18 macroeconomic sectors.

Iceland Key Series

More indicators for iceland, request a demo of ceic.

CEIC’s economic databases cover over 200 global markets. Our Platform offers the most reliable macroeconomic data and advanced analytical tools.

Explore our Data

Business Sectors

Environment

Inhabitants.

• Municipalities and urban nuclei
• Internal migration
• External migration
• Marriages and divorces

Births and deaths

• Population projections
• Census - Overview
• Census 1981
• Census 2011
• Census 2021
• Elections overview
• General elections
• Local government elections
• Presedential elections

Labour market

• Labour force survey
• Labour force – register data
• Job vacancies

Wages and income

Social affairs.

• Social protection expenditure
• Municipal social services
• Social insurances
• Pension beneficiaries
• Women and men

Quality of life

• Household finances
• Liabilities and assets
• Household expenditure
• Material deprivation
• Economy and health
• Health interview survey
• Lifestyle and health
• Education - overview
• Pre-primary schools
• Compulsory school
• Upper secondary schools
• Universities
• Lifelong learning
• Educational attainment
• Sound recordings
• Religious organisations
• Associations
• Economic measures
• Enterprises
• Structural business statistics
• Insolvencies
• Labour cost
• Accommodation
• Short term indicators in tourism
• Travel survey
• Tourism satellite accounts
• Export of marine products
• Landings of foreign vessels
• Fish products, price indices
• Financial accounts of fisheries
• Fishing vessels
• Aquaculture

Agriculture

• Live stock and field crops
• Fertilizers
• Farm structure survey
• Financial accounts of agriculture
• Building cost index
• Constructions
• Manufacturing

Science and technology

• Community innovation
• ICT usage in enterprises
• ICT usage by individuals
• Telecommunication
• Consumer price index
• Producer price index

External trade

• Trade in goods
• Trade in services
• Trade in goods and services

Public finance

• General government
• Central government
• Local government
• Social security funds
• Social protection
• Educational expenditure
• Health expenditure

Employment and labour productivity

• Labour productivity
• Economic forecast

National accounts

• Gross domestic product
• Consumption expenditure
• Gross fixed capital formation
• Production approach
• Sector accounts
• Financial accounts
• Short term indicators
• Pension entitlements

Land and air

• Air quality

Air emissions

• Greenhouse gas emissions from Iceland (NIR)
• Greenhouse gas emissions from the economy (AEA)
• Emission of air pollutants (LRTAP)

Material flow

• Waste statistics
• Water consumption and water treatment
• Material flow accounts (MFA)

Green economy

• Environmental taxes
• Energy prices
• Production and consumption
• Energy flow accounts (PEFA)
• Public transportation

Statistics Iceland collects monthly data from accommodation establishments. The monthly reports specify the number of visitors, overnight stays and occupied rooms as well as supplying data on the accommodation available at each establishment. Statistics are broken down by region, type of accommodation and nationality of visitors.

Tourism short-term indicators in April 18. APRIL 2024

2.5% decrease in overnight stays in February 27. MARCH 2024

Tourism short-term indicators in March 21. MARCH 2024

13% decrease in overnight stays in January from last year 29. FEBRUARY 2024

Tourism short-term indicators in February 15. FEBRUARY 2024

Methods and classification

• The New Compilation of the Tourism Satellite Account in Iceland for 2009-2013
• Publications
• Tourist accommodation 2015 5. APRIL 2016
• Tourist accommodation 2014 30. MARCH 2015
• Tourist accommodation 2013 16. APRIL 2014
• Tourist accommodation 2012 12. APRIL 2013
• Tourist accommodation 2011 20. APRIL 2012
• Accommodation, guests and overnight stays
• Tourism Satellite Account
• Statistics / Population
• Talnaefni / Population / Population projections
• Talnaefni / Population / Family
• Talnaefni / Population / Elections
• Talnaefni / Population / Inhabitants
• Talnaefni / Population / Births and deaths
• Talnaefni / Population / Migration
• Talnaefni / Population / Census
• Statistics / Society
• Talnaefni / Society / Labour market
• Talnaefni / Society / Education
• Talnaefni / Society / Quality of life
• Talnaefni / Society / Culture
• Talnaefni / Society / Justice
• Talnaefni / Society / Wages and income
• Talnaefni / Society / Health
• Talnaefni / Society / Media
• Talnaefni / Society / Social affairs
• Statistics / Business Sectors
• Talnaefni / Business Sectors / Enterprises
• Talnaefni / Business Sectors / Fisheries
• Talnaefni / Business Sectors / Agriculture
• Talnaefni / Business Sectors / Science and technology
• Talnaefni / Business Sectors / Tourism
• Talnaefni / Business Sectors / Industry
• Statistics / Economy
• Talnaefni / Economy / Prices
• Talnaefni / Economy / Public finance
• Talnaefni / Economy / Employment and labour productivity
• Talnaefni / Economy / National accounts
• Talnaefni / Economy / External trade
• Talnaefni / Economy / Economic forecast
• Statistics / Environment
• Talnaefni / Environment / Land and air
• Talnaefni / Environment / Material flow
• Talnaefni / Environment / Energy
• Talnaefni / Environment / Transport
• Talnaefni / Environment / Air emissions
• Talnaefni / Environment / Green economy
• About Statistics Iceland
• Laws and regulations
• Rules for handling confidential data
• Act on the Consumer Price Index
• Act on the Wage Index
• Cooperation with users
• International cooperation
• Statistics Iceland policies
• Quality and security policy
• Revision policy
• Environmental and climate policy
• Privacy policy
• Communication policy
• Tailored statistics
• Data for scientific research
• Experimental statistics
• Foreign trade in goods - ex
• Deaths - ex
• Consumption of foreign tourists - ex
• Insolvencies and activity of companies - ex
• Overnight stays in hotels – ex
• First time owners - ex
• Young people in Iceland 2005-2018 - ex
• AEA from Iceland - ex
• Fuel sales - ex
• Impact of Covid-19 on cultural industries – ex
• Educational mismatch rate - ex
• Taxable payments - ex
• Economic measures in response to Covid-19 - ex
• Household work-tt
• Skills supply and demand - ex
• Food flow through Iceland's economy- ex
• Public grants in the cultural and creative industries
• News Archive
• Advance release calendar
• News subscription
• Rules on statistical releases
• Learning statistics
• Statistical database
• Methods, quality and classifications
• Classifications
• Methodological papers
• International guidelines and definitions
• Journal and conference papers
• Older publications
• Icelandic Historical Statistics
• Iceland in figures 2018
• Statistical Yearbook of Iceland 2015

About Iceland

Visa information, geography of iceland, general information, the northern lights, volcanic eruptions, sustainable travel, iceland academy, plan your trip, how to get there, accommodation, things to do, map your journey, getting around, visitor numbers, carbon footprint, destinations, the regions, scenic routes, national parks, trip suggestions, towns & villages, inspiration, food and beverages, lbgt+ travel, escape the ordinary.

Read handpicked articles to get you inspired by Iceland

Somebody Feed Phil Foodtrail in Iceland

Looking for those places where Phil ate? Here are the stops he made while in Iceland.

Planning a trip to Iceland

Swimming pool culture in Iceland

Reykjavík Weekend Getaway

Iceland travel advice - from one tourist to another

LGBT+ Travel in Iceland

Volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula

16 places of Character and Charm to eat for Every Corner of Iceland

How to Get to Iceland

It’s snow outside: Winter activities for beginners and pros 

Minibreak North Iceland

Reykjavík on the Rocks - Five geosites in the Capital Region

Nature's Alchemy: Exploring Iceland's geosites

Iceland for lovebirds

How to capture the Northern lights with a smartphone

6 Unforgettable riding tours in Iceland

The Reykjavík Triangle of Hot Resorts

Volcanoes of Iceland

What to wear in Iceland

New destinations in 2024

Mapping the best places for food and drink in Reykjavik

How to practice your hobby in Iceland

A day-trip from Reykjavík: Discover the Whale Fjord

Key Locations for Viking History in Iceland

Iceland's Three UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Incredible travel experiences money can indeed buy

Around Iceland in 14 days

Sustainability travel tips

Dalvík and Around: Ride Fjords and Moutains In Every Season

Safe travel in Iceland

Arctic Coast Way

The Diamond Circle

Vatnajökull National Park

Famous film sights in Iceland

VOLCANIC ACTIVITY ON THE REYKJANES PENINSULA

Since 2021, the Reykjanes Peninsula has witnessed a surge in seismic activity, including several volcanic eruptions. Despite this, Iceland has remained a safe and open destination for travelers. For a detailed look into the recent volcanic activities and their safety implications, the Icelandic Meteorological Office offers insights through this informative video.

Embark on the journey of a lifetime in Iceland!

With our new interactive map feature, you can easily plan every step of your adventure. From cozy accommodations to unforgettable activities, the possibilities are endless. Dream big, plan smart, and chart your path with our personalized itinerary feature. Make the most of every moment in Iceland!

Take the Icelandic Pledge

Are you visiting Iceland? Be a responsible tourist and take the Icelandic pledge. Encourage your friends to do the same!

Looking for things to do?

Regions of Iceland

Iceland is typically divided into 7 different geographical regions. Each region differs slightly in respect to culture and landscapes, but are uniquely Icelandic. Find your favorite part of Iceland.

Iceland is a popular travel destination. Sometimes, certain places can be busier than others. Skip the hectic tourist traffic at the most popular destinations and plan your trip to make the most of your time in Iceland. Use our tourist counter to see peak visitor times and plan accordingly. 

Appreciate our towns & villages

Did you know that there are over 100 towns and villages to explore throughout Iceland? We encourage you to stop and look into these charming, beautiful, and often quirky places. History, art, nature, local cuisine, and year-round swimming pools abound. You might be surprised at what you find!

Sign up for our mailing list

Stay connected and find out what is happening in Iceland.

Ferðamálastofa Icelandic Tourist Board

Tourist numbers in march, iceland is a safe place to visit.

• Icelandic Tourism Dashboard All the latest numbers and statistics in tourism
• Do you offer trips or tours? Then you might need a license from us
• Accessible Tourism Improve accessibility in tourism for disabled people
• Numbers of foreign visitors See the numbers

News headlines

International visitors to Iceland 2023 - Survey results

173 thousand departures of foreign travelers in March

Volcanic eruption 16th of March in Reykjanes

Beware of pickpockets!

156 thousand departures of foreign travelers in February

Update on Travel Safety in Iceland in Light of Recent Volcanic Activitys

131 thousand departures of foreign passengers in January

Volcanic eruption in Reykjanes

Grants and travel support from NATA - Greenland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands

Blue Lagoon Iceland received the 2024 Responsible Tourism Incentive Award

News from iceland, icelandic tourism dashboard.

Find all the latest data from Tourism in Iceland right here, in the Tourism Dashboard. 

The Tourist Site Protection Fund

The fund supports the development and protection of tourist destinations and tourist routes owned both by private entities and municipalities.