Iceland popular among tourists thanks to exchange rate

Increasing numbers of people are booking cheap ferries to Iceland thanks to the weakening krona.

This is the suggestion of the Icelandic Tourist Board (ITB), which said the favourable exchange rate is bringing "worldwide attention" to the island country.

"Tourists are spending almost double the amount in Icelandic krona than they did in previous years because they know they are getting better value for money," explained Sigga Groa Thorarinsdottir, the ITB's UK and Ireland marketing manager.

Ms Thorarinsdottir also said that the trend for avoiding eurozone countries is likely to continue going into next year, which spells good news for Iceland's tourism industry.

Cheap ferries to Iceland are offered by Smyril Line, which operates routes to Seydisfjordur from Hanstholm and Esbjerg in Denmark.

The country's capital, Reykjavik, is home to more than half the island's population and is famed for its mix of contemporary architecture and classic buildings.

According to Islandbanki, the average tourist spends ISK170,000 (£834) during their visit to Iceland.

Written by Mark Robinson