As of January 15th, 2024, Keflavík International Airport (KEF) has stated that they are gearing up to host a whopping 8.5 million passengers this year, making it one of their busiest years ever. Yep, you heard it right, this little volcanic island is becoming more of a hotspot than ever before!

I know 8.5 million sounds like a lot, because it is, but I will put that into context during this episode because there much more to the story.

So, what’s the scoop? Well, compared to last year, we’re looking at a 9.6% jump in visitors. This is both during the bustling summer months and the magical, aurora-filled winters, which usually have less people.

This year, a record-breaking 2.38 million international visitors are expected to actually visit Iceland, edging past the previous record set back in 2018. The growth isn’t just in the summer; winter tourism is getting a big boost too, with a 13.4% increase in visitors braving the cold for some icy adventures.

But it’s not just about sightseeing. With more people passing through, about 30% are just here for a quick layover. Still, every visit counts, and it’s a great chance for folks to get a taste of Iceland, even if it’s just a glimpse from the airport.

When the airport reports numbers like 8.5 million passengers, they are counting departures, arrivals, and transfers. For 2024, the number of departures is estimated to be about 2.98 mil, arrivals are about 2.99 mil, and transfers are about 2.5 mil. After rounding up, you have 8.5 million passengers.

Guðmundur Daði Rúnarsson, the guy steering the ship at KEF, is all in on this uptick, especially the winter warriors coming to enjoy Iceland in its frosty glory. It’s great for business and even better for showing off our year-round appeal.

And to make sure everyone’s visit is smooth and enjoyable, KEF’s been on a bit of a building spree. Last year saw new spaces for check-ins and luggage, plus a shiny new taxiway to keep things moving smoothly. And there’s more on the horizon, with a new wing set to open later this year, packing in more gates and even more spots for shopping and dining.

Now, you might wonder how KEF figures all this out. It’s all about keeping a keen eye on travel trends, checking out airline schedules, and crunching numbers to predict how many folks will be coming through.

And with all these visitors, there’s going to be a buzz around the new ETIAS system kicking off in May 2025. The ETIAS is The European Travel Information and Authorisation System.

It’s a new travel requirement for a lot of international visitors, so with Iceland’s popularity soaring, the ETIAS applications are expected to go through the roof, especially with those extra winter visitors.

The increase in visitors, especially during the summer, means that booking your accommodations, and vehicle rental as soon as possible will ensure that you have the places you want to stay and car you want to drive handled. The demand for those are very high. I highly recommend booking at least 5 months before you arrive in summer but 6-8 is better.

If you plan to explore Iceland on your own when you visit, I highly recommend using Go Car Rental Iceland. They are a local Icelandic car rental company that has great customer service, a large variety of cars and very competitive prices. Use my code Iceland10 to save 10% off the entire cost of your rental car.

I personally use them for when I go on adventures, and I’m so glad to hear that many of my listeners and subscribers are also having a great experience with them. I mentioned in a previous episode that one of my listeners switched to Go Car Rental Iceland from one of the internationally known rental car companies here and she saved $400! That was for a rental during the summer when prices can sometimes double due to demand.

Go Campers

If you plan to use a campervan, use my code Iceland7 to save 7% and get two free duvets with your GO Campers van rental. Also, I have a great episode coming up soon about how to choose the right camper van for your travels in Iceland, so keep an eye out for that.

This surge in tourism isn’t just great for postcard sales; it’s making Iceland an even more appealing spot for folks thinking about a longer stay. With its stunning scenery and top-notch quality of life, who wouldn’t want to stick around? Plus, with new policies making it easier for students and remote workers to set up shop here, Iceland’s not just a vacation spot – it’s becoming a place to call home.

As KEF gears up for this tourist boom, it’s clear that Iceland’s allure is only getting stronger. With the airport expanding and improving, it’s ready to welcome people from around the world – and maybe convince a few to stay a little longer. Here’s to a bustling, vibrant Iceland, ready to enchant even more visitors in 2024!

December 2024 is the month with the largest % increase that is forecasted for tourists at 21.4% and October has the least amount of % increase forecasted, which is -.9%.

Spá – forecast

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