From secluded island adventures to cellphone detox holidays: New ideas in Icelandic tourism awarded

The ITICE conference in Harpa hosted a Pitch Event for the newly launched Startup Tourism business accelerator last night. Nine pitches were made ranging from food trips around West Iceland to an exhilerating equestrian race across Iceland. 

Startup Tourism is a mentorship-driven business accelerator for Icelandic companies in the tourism sector. 10 companies are selected to take part in a 10 week program in Reykjavík where they receive guidance, assistance, a workspace and benefits.

Iceland Monitor supported the startups by giving awards to the three winners. The award consisted of an advertising package on Iceland Monitor worth ISK 300,000, a Reykjavik Mountain View helicopter trip for two from Helo Helicopter Service, and a six-month online subscription to Morgunblaðið.

The pitches last night were as follows: 

Bergrisi – Guðlaugur Magnússon
A software solution for self-service amenities on Icelandic tourist and camping sites.

Book Iceland – Örlygur Hnefill Örlygsson
A booking platform specifically designed for smaller accommodation providers.

Food Tours  – Ólöf Ingólfsdóttir
Culinary trips around West Iceland with a focus on the local produce and environment.

The Icelandic Horsegames – Aníta Margrét Aradóttir
A unique, demanding equestrian race for the advanced rider based on similar experiences with the wild horses of Mongolia.

Arctic Trip – Halla Ingólfsdóttir
Tours to the remote island of Grímsey which lies on the Arctic circle.

Iceland Health & Travel  – Aldís Arna Tryggvadóttir
Comprehensive health tourism based in Hvanneyri, South Iceland,  where people are encouraged to turn off their cellphones.

Traustholtshólmi – Hákon Kjalar Hjördísarson
Self-sustainable accommodation on a secluded island in an Icelandic river.

Huliðsheimar – Ólöf Magnúsdóttir
Augmented reality used to bring Icelandic folklore to life in a Reykjavik museum.

Happyworld – Róbert Bragason
Trips centred around gliding and kiting sports in Iceland.

The winner for Best Pitch was Aníta Margrét Aradóttir for her pitch about a horse race across Iceland, the award for Most Passionate Pitch went to Aldís Arna Tryggvadóttir for health tourism in Hvanneyri and Best Story went to Traustholtshólmi, self-sustainable tourism in a secluded island.

Judges in the competition were Robert C. Barber, US Ambassador to Iceland, Viktoría Sveinsdottir, Founder and CEO, Iceland Tourism Investment Conference & Exhibition, Ásberg Jónsson, Founder and Chairman, Nordic Visitor, Hrönn Greipsdóttir, Investment Manager Arev for Eldey TLH hf. and Gústaf Gústafsson, Head of Sales, Marketing and Product Development at North Sailing.

Oddur Sturluson, project manager at Startup Tourism in Iceland.