The song “Jungle Drum” by Icelandic singer-songwriter Emilíana Torrini will be used in a new video promoting Iceland as a travel destination. It will premiere on the website inspiredbyiceland.com tomorrow.
Emilíana Torrini. Photo by Páll Stefánsson.
Until now, Torrini has refused to use her hit song for advertising purposes, Morgunbladid reports.
The video, which shows people dancing to Torrini’s “Jungle Drum” in various locations, will be used to correct misconceptions about the situation in Iceland caused by the volcanic eruption in Eyjafjallajökull and encourage people to come visit the country.
Icelanders are asked to send the video to friends and family members abroad between 1 and 2 pm tomorrow to help further the marketing initiative.
If they cannot participate at that time, they can send the video later as it will continue to be available on the website in the coming weeks.
“I urge every director of government institutions and companies in the country to give people a chance to send friends, acquaintances and business partners a greeting and invitation to visit Iceland this summer,” Minister of Finance Steingrímur J. Sigfússon told visir.is.
Sigfússon said he had been counting on the profits from the upcoming tourist season, which had looked very promising until the eruption in Eyjafjallajökull disrupted flights and a horse flu caused the cancellation of this year’s Landsmót National Horse Festival.
However, it is important not to lose faith, the minister said, and have the entire nation cooperate on convincing travelers not to postpone their trips to Iceland. “We are betting on the tourist industry because it’s the quickest way to earn money for the nation and it has a bright future.”
The “Jungle Drum” video initiative, called “Thjódin býdur heim” (“The nation invites you home”), was formally launched in Idnó in Reykjavík yesterday at a ceremony attended by representatives of tourism companies, the government, Reykjavík City and the Trade Council.
Click here to read more about the “Inspired by Iceland” campaign and here to read more about Torrini’s “Jungle Drum.”
