The President of Iceland, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson has invited tourists to
enjoy pancakes at his home in an effort to make tourists feel welcome
in Iceland. Grimsson, will be joined by other officials including the
Mayor of Reykjavik and the Minister for Tourism, who will also be
inviting people into their homes.
This initiative is a part of a new tourism campaign, aimed at
encouraging tourists to visit Iceland during the off-season. It is a
continuation of the award-winning Inspired by Iceland campaign that
turned around the country’s tourism industry following the eruption of
Eyjafjallajokull in 2010.
Katrin Juliusdottir, Iceland’s Minister of Tourism, said “We want
visitors to our country to become Icelanders, to ‘be Icelandic’. The ash
cloud caused by the Eyjafjallajokull eruption last year made us think
really hard about what coming to Iceland meant.”
Juliusdottir continued, “We realised it is about the passion that our
citizens have for our country and that they want to tell the world how
beautiful it is and what an amazing experience it can be. Those thinking
of visiting Iceland and wanting a real adventure will love what our
people have to offer as they share their lives with them.”
Icelanders have answered the call, and invitations are streaming in to
www.inspiredbyiceland.com where Icelanders volunteer to open their doors
to welcome visitors with open arms.
