Iceland Is a Magnet for Tourists. Its First Lady Has Some Advice for Them.

, I began visiting 25 years in the past, and in these days I might meet individuals who would say, “What, do you imply Eire?” And now all people says, “Oh, I’m going there,” or “My neighbor’s going,” or “I wish to go.” It’s way more in folks’s consciousness.

Proper after the volcanic eruption in 2010, there was the launch of the “Impressed by Iceland” marketing campaign to advertise tourism. I learn that over 1 / 4 of the Icelandic grownup inhabitants participated in that.

Nicely, all people was supposed to inform all their buddies to return to Iceland. I did that for positive, and quite a lot of different folks did, too. There have been some genius campaigns, and quite a lot of them have essential underlying messages about sustainability, just like the Icelandic pledge, a dedication to accountable journey that anybody can take on-line. I believe that vacationers wish to study in regards to the international locations we’re visiting and what we are able to do to present again, however typically we don’t know methods to entry that data. And the Icelandic pledge is an efficient means of reminding folks to be variety to nature and be sure to have a journey plan in case one thing occurs.

I used to be struck by one merchandise within the pledge that mentioned, “I’ll take pictures to die for, with out dying for them.” I suppose folks overlook themselves typically?

Right here we now have sizzling springs with actually sizzling water; we now have energetic volcanoes; we now have sneaker waves on seashores; we now have robust winds. We one way or the other suppose that we’re invincible once we’re on trip, however we nonetheless have to make use of our widespread sense.

You write in your e book that the most effective methods for guests to get to know Icelanders is to hang around in a sizzling tub at a geothermal pool. Why is that?

They are saying if you wish to meet a Brit, go to a pub; if you wish to meet a French particular person, go to a restaurant. And positively right here in Iceland, you go to a swimming pool, as a result of that’s the place you possibly can meet folks — morning, afternoon or night. And I like to recommend that guests strive totally different swimming pools, as a result of all of them have their very own character and character and you’ll meet several types of folks. They’re clear and inexpensive, and it’s one thing that each one the locals do.

In studying your e book, I received the sense that the Icelandic group is more and more various, however nonetheless very close-knit.

On the weekend, I had to purchase a bra — which, you already know, it’s such a enjoyable expertise. I used to be speaking to the lady who labored on the retailer, and the lady within the altering room subsequent to me says, “I do know that voice.” And it was our chief medical officer — just like the Anthony Fauci of Iceland. And we have been simply laughing that solely in Iceland can we run into one another in an undergarment retailer. After which I bumped into her once more within the grocery retailer the following day. And also you simply suppose: It is a small nation.