March 2010 has seen more tourists than have likely ever been in Iceland during this month, and the year itself already shows an increase in visitors from the year previous.
The Icelandic Tourist Board reports that about 26,000 tourists have come to Iceland in March alone, which they estimate is probably more tourists than have ever visited Iceland in March. It is at the very least 2,000 more tourists than came to Iceland March 2009.
In addition, the first three months of 2010 saw 65,000 visitors from overseas, which is already a 5% increase from the year previous.
Few European countries are seeing the same rise in tourism that Iceland is, although the other Scandinavian countries are seeing boosts in visitors of their own.
The Tourist Board also reports that Icelanders themselves are travelling abroad more this year, with a 14% increase from the first three months of 2009.
Likely culprits for this surge in tourism are the weakened currency, and the volcano currently spewing out tonnes of picturesque lava. Icelanders around the country pray it continues to spew lava into the summer, when tourism typically reaches peak levels.