Iceland gay pride 2006
Iceland, named by the U.N. last year as one of the world’s best places to live, has seen its economy collapse in recent days and its currency become essentially worthless. Gay locals tell Travelgaygent.com that their tiny country is suddenly a very tough place to live — but, ironically, one of the best places in Europe for a visit.
“For tourists it is like paradise, if they bring their own currency to the country,” says Gunnar Halldorsson, who runs House of Spirits, a small inn he owns with his partner, Andres. Just a few weeks ago, Reykjavik, Iceland’s charming capital, was one of the most expensive cities in the world. “Now it is probably the cheapest one in Europe,” Halldorsson says.
Reykjavik
A hotel room priced at 10,000 Icelandic Kronar (ISK) used to cost $147 in U.S. dollars, but the kronar’s plunge means the same room now runs just $91 for American travelers. “People just have to remember to buy ISK not in their own country, but in Iceland only,” Halldorsson says. “All the banks are very happy to buy all foreign currencies, as we’ve got a serious lack of foreign money. All credit cards are accepted in all shops and companies.”
Jon Sigurdsson, owner of the gay-friendly Hotel Phoenix, says Iceland’s tourist infrastructure is operating normally, and travelers will likely find an even warmer-than-usual welcome from the locals.
“People are both angry and some upset because of those circumstances we are put in, but after hitting the bottom there is only one way to go and that is up,” he says. “We welcome every tourist to our beautiful country and they will for sure feel welcome and will be taken good care of, and of course we would love to have as many as possible to come over.”
With the charm of a quaint fishing village and the liberal social outlook of modern Scandinavia, Reykjavik has become a favorite destination for European gays and lesbians in recent years. The Gay Iceland website has tips on restaurants, clubs, hotels, shopping, and activities, and Icelandair is promoting special airfares and packages.
If you have clients looking for something different, convenient, and affordable, Iceland may be the just the recommedation that will get them going.
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:: Future Gringo :: » News of Interest 101808 // April 8, 2009 at 4:03 pm
[...] I’ve alway thought thought of Iceland as being the most expensive place on earth, however some recent economic calamities, (sounds familiar,) have brought the rates down. [...]