"Great opportunities for winter tourism"
"Direct flights to Akureyri, brings travellers to us in an easier way. We receive a very small portion of those travellers coming south, too small indeed. But here, tourists come directly into the area, increasing the likelihood of using services available here," says Arinbjörn Þórarinsson, manager of Greifinn restaurant in Akureyri.
"The effects are primarily that we are seeing more tourists outside the usual season, and naturally, we notice that. When it's quiet. That's when these tourists make a significant impact. Anything extra during that quiet time holds tremendous value," says Arinbjörn.
Endurance is key
"Of course, it's possible to develop tourism services, but it takes time and money. In tourism, the key is endurance, built over many years - decades even. Endurance is numbers one, two, and three. I believe there are significant opportunities in winter tourism, experiencing the country in an entirely different way than in summer. Then, the North is the ideal place to experience a real winter and see the country differently than in summer," says Arinbjörn.
Akureyri is the biggest town outside of Reykjavík and tourism is a big part of life there. Arinbjörn says it has potential for even more of it.
"Akureyri is an immense tourism hub. I've often said it's like a sponge; there can be thousands of tourists without you even noticing. Every weekend during the winter, thousands of guests stay all around. There are many vacation homes almost fully booked every weekend and other accommodations that can host these tourists. Our capacity here is incredibly high, without you noticing, as people say, the negative impacts of tourism. We can handle a lot before you notice it."
Arinbjörn stresses the importance of marketing in different languages to reach everyone.
"We've prepared ourselves for marketing and others; we've had to go through it and direct it to those coming. Now we are receiving both Brits, and there is a flight from Holland and also Switzerland, so we've just been looking at how we can cater to them and introduce ourselves better. Similarly, with social media and others, we need to consider that they are not good with Icelandic. We need to present this in English or the language that suits best."
The importance of sports and supporting them
"We have been very good at supporting, for example, the sports clubs here in the town. It's important to us that residents are well, children and families can take advantage of the facilities, exercises, and sports available. It creates a pleasant life in the town, and then it's better to live in Akureyri. Consequently, we maintain people in the town who are our customers. And last but not least, these sports clubs are incredibly effective in creating events. People follow them in the town, Icelanders who are primarily our customers today. The sports clubs are very active and bring many people to the town whom we then serve," Arinbjörn says.