West Fjords Benefit from Being Best in Travel 2022

In October, the West Fjords of Iceland were ranked first among the Lonely Planet ’s Best in Travel 2022 Top 10 Regions, and Díana Jóhannsdóttir, division manager at the West Fjords Regional Development Office, tells Morgunblaðið that the outlook for the summer is exceptionally good.

This is how the Lonely Planet describes the region:

“The Westfjords is where Iceland’s dramatic landscapes come to a riveting climax and where mass tourism disappears – only about 10% of Iceland’s visitors ever see the region. Jagged bird cliffs and broad multihued dream beaches flank the south. Rutted dirt roads snake north along jaw-dropping coastal fjords and over immense central mountains, revealing tiny fishing villages embracing traditional ways of life. In the far north, the Hornstrandir hiking reserve crowns the quiet region, and is home to cairn-marked walking paths revealing bird life, Arctic foxes and ocean vistas. The Strandir coast is less visited still, with an end-of-the-line, mystical feel, geothermal springs and minuscule oceanside hamlets.”

“Following the nomination, we noticed an increasing interest of investors,” Díana states, “and it has made it easier for us to spread the word about how unique the West Fjords are.”

She notes that overnight accommodation is needed, and investors are weighing their options in many parts of the region.

Right now, the outlook for tourism this summer is exceptionally good. Bookings are going well, and travel agency representatives believe this will be a good summer for the West Fjords. “They notice a positive development, and the question is whether that is connected to the nomination,” Díana wonders. She expects to see the benefits of the nomination for years to come.