Employment in the tourism industries in Iceland was 34,411 in September 2023, an increase of 7% compared with September 2022. In the 12-month period from October 2022 to September 2023, an average of 31,601 individuals worked in the tourism industry compared with 27,459 in the previous 12-month period.
Turnover according to VAT reports in Icelandic tourism sectors was just under 229 billion ISK in July to August 2023, which is an increase of 15% from the previous year.
Overnight stays in hotels in September 2023 were 520,872 compared with 491,800 in September the year before. The number of overnight stays by Icelanders were 85,305 (-8%) and the number of overnight stays by foreign guests were 435,567 (9%).
In October, there were 260,912 departures of passengers from Keflavik airport compared with 230,323, in October 2022. Departures of passengers with foreign citizenship were 204,966 compared with 158,787 a year earlier.
This release includes updated statistics on turnover by VAT reports, overnight stays and register based employment. Also updated are statistics on rental cars from the Icelandic Transport Authority, traffic statistics from the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration, passengers count by nationality from the Icelandic Tourist Board and passengers’ statistics through Keflavik Airport along with traffic statistics published by ISAVIA.
Statistics
Short term indicators in tourism
Passengers through Keflavik airport
Average daily traffic count on major roads
External trade in services