The global economic downturn has brought international attention to Iceland like it has never experienced before; but a new study has shown that its reputation as a travel destination only continues to get better, despite some of the bad press.

The survey was carried out during February on respondents from the countries: Denmark, Germany and the UK. It asked them about their opinions of Iceland as a travel destination. The results show that interest in visiting the country has actually increased since the global banking crisis hit last autumn. The survey focused on respondents’ impressions of the destination and not on the fact that visiting Iceland now costs less than in previous years.

The outcome of the research was presented at a conference in Reykjavik last week given by the Trade Council of Iceland, the Public Relations Society of Iceland and the Iceland Tourist board, among others.

Iceland’s image hasn’t been hurt by the economic difficulties because, as the old saying goes, any publicity is good publicity. Despite the negative content of a lot of the news, Iceland is very topical at the moment – an opportunity the country needs to seize and direct to its own advantage, Eye for Image’s David Hoskin said.

Icelandair, the biggest airline in Iceland, is busy using the new publicity advertising Iceland as a tourist destination, with good results.

Bookings with Icelandair so far this year, and on into the summer high season, are much better than expected already. Tourists are being attracted to Iceland not only by the stunning scenery, the world-class angling, the elves and the puffins: it goes almost without saying that the weakness of the Icelandic krona is also a major reason to visit Iceland at the moment.

The biggest impression 55 percent of the Britons surveyed thought of Iceland was its fabulous nature. Many in the UK leg of the survey also characterised the Icelandic people as charming and kind.

German respondents largely seemed to agree as well, declaring the Icelanders to be comfortable and hospitable to be around. Respondents in Germany also associate Iceland with beautiful houses and a good standard of living.

Denmark, on the other hand, regards Iceland as a small country which ‘knows how to get by’.

For more information on travel to Iceland, go to www.icelandair.com

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