The number of tourists that have paid a visit to east Iceland has risen
sharply between last year and this summer, according to tourist offices
in Egilsstaður.
About 50,000 people visited tourist offices in the region this summer; a 30% increase from last year. While the figures cover the summer months of June, July and August, the largest spike was seen in June. Some 15,000 visitors came to tourists offices that month – a 75% increase from June 2008.
The east of Iceland is reknowned for having high temperatures in the summer time, with highs often reaching into the mid-20s °C, as well as being home to Iceland’s largest (and arguably only) forest, Hallormsstaðarskogur, which is about a half an hour from Egilsstaður.