Tourism and Geothermal Energy in Iceland

Abstract

Tourism’s share of foreign exchange earnings in Iceland has grown from 26.4% to 42.0% between 2013-2017 according to measurements on the export of goods and services. Every year the Icelandic Tourist Board releases a report about the status of tourism and makes a survey to compare main activities. One of the results for last year that the report highlighted was that in winter, as in the summer, tourists were particularly interested in activities related to nature, health and well-being. Swimming was the activity that most tourists paid for during winter and summer. Bathing in natural pools has been a part of human history for centuries. Swimming pools and spa might be a modern-day invention, but relaxing and enjoying the numerous health benefits of bathing in thermal baths is an Icelandic tradition dating back to the country’s settlement some 1100 years ago. Tourist attraction and destinations that have evolved around geothermal energy and heat are spread around the country. They are often located in municipalities where fishing industry is or has been a dominant lifeline of the community. The increased tourism and development of destination such as geothermal pools and spas can now give small municipalities and community’s a greater variety in jobs and derived jobs around these destinations. Other forms of geothermal utilization also attract numerous visitors, with more and more visitors interested in the nation’s clean energy production and various use of this energy form. Visitor centers located within the proximity of renewable energy production sites constantly grow in popularity and small businesses based on using geothermal energy flourish. A family-run geothermally heated greenhouse has evolved from mainly growing tomatoes in 2010 to be a popular stop for tourist interested in sustainable food production and now includes guided tours, a restaurant with tomato base cuisine and small shop.