Tourism in numbers

• Ísafjörður stands as the premier destination for cruise ship tourism in the region, with 184 visits welcoming a total of 143,119 guests and crew. Its leading position showcases significant investment opportunities in enhancing tourism infrastructure and services.

• Patreksfjörður is on the rise, having hosted 19 cruise ship visits with 4,050 guests. This growth indicates a ripe environment for investments in the hospitality sector and tourist attractions, spotlighting its potential as an expanding market.

• Alternative harbours (Suðureyri, Flateyri, Bolungarvík, and Djúpavík): These locations represent valuable alternatives for smaller-scale cruise ships, such as expedition vessels, offering investors a chance to tap into niche markets within the tourism sector. Their appeal lies in providing a wide array of destination options across the region, catering to diverse visitor interests and enhancing the overall attractiveness of the area for cruise tourism.

Icelandic Tourist Board (Ferðamálastofa) conducts a survey asking a sample of departing tourists at Keflavík National Airport about their travel behaviour.

Westfjords most popular as preferred region to visit in Iceland for tourist who want to return to Iceland

• Popularity of the Westfjords: The Westfjords and the North region stand out as the most popular destinations for visitors preparing for their return. 60% of respondents say they want to revisit these two regions on their next visit.
• Other regions: for comparison, the regions that come next in popularity are the South region with 48.9% and the East region with 45.4%, with other regions decreasing in popularity.
• 2023 survey findings:
  • Remarkably, 22% of all tourists visiting Iceland during the summer opted for the Westfjords, with 13% staying within the region, highlighting its significant impact on Iceland's tourism landscape.