566,000 foreign tourists visited Iceland in 2011, of which almost all visited Reykjavík according to estimates. This represents a 15.8% increase from 2010 and makes 2011 a record year for tourist arrivals. In addition, Reykjavík's harbours welcomed 63,000 cruise ship passengers.
Most visitors came from the United States, followed by the United Kingdom and Germany. The growth in arrivals from the USA between years is phenomenal, at over 50%, making the USA topple the UK’s status as Iceland’s long standing top source market for tourism.
After a few years of stable arrivals numbers, these are impressive results considering the rather dire state of the world economy and the worldwide 4.4% growth in tourism between years as estimated by the UNWTO. Some of the main reasons for this include increased flight supply and the publicity-creating volcanic eruption in Eyjafjallajökull in 2010.
There are plenty of reasons for the Icelandic tourism industry to be optimistic about 2012 as well. A great number of airlines will offer flights to Iceland this year, some featuring new destinations, the new Icelandair Hotel Reykjavík Marina will open in April and the marketing campaign Inspired by Iceland continues with a special focus on boosting tourism during autumn, winter and spring.