In spite of many cancellations of bookings and negative media coverage of the impact the volcanic eruption in Eyjafjallajökull had on air travel in the spring, representatives of the tourist industry in Iceland believe the eruption’s long-term effect on tourism was rather positive than negative.
The eruption in Eyjafjallajökull. Photo by Páll Stefánsson.
Erna Hauksdóttir, managing director of the Icelandic Travel Industry Association (SAF), told Morgunbladid that at first it appeared as if the number of foreign visitors would drop by ten to 20 percent because of the eruption.
“Cancellations were pouring in and there were no new bookings,” Hauksdóttir said. “Then the government and marketing agents joined forces and launched the campaign Inspired by Iceland. Now it looks as if the recession this year will be one to two percent compared to last year.”
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