October 2024 marked another milestone for Iceland’s tourism sector, as 213,000 foreign travelers departed from Keflavík Airport, according to the Icelandic Tourist Board. This figure represents an increase of 10,000 departures compared to the same month last year, showcasing Iceland’s continued allure as a global travel destination.

Americans Lead the Pack in October Departures

Travelers from the United States made up the largest share of foreign departures, accounting for 24.5% (approximately 52,000) of the total. This is consistent with figures from October 2023, solidifying the U.S. as Iceland’s top tourist market.

British citizens ranked second with 24,000 departures (11.4% of the total), though this marks a 14.2% decline from the same period last year. German travelers took third place with 17,000 departures, making up 8.1% of the total—a remarkable 79.3% increase compared to October 2023.

Other notable contributors include Chinese travelers in fourth place at 4.8%, followed by French citizens at 4.4%. Together, the top 10 nationalities accounted for 70.4% of total foreign departures in October.

Nationalities by Departure Numbers

Here’s a breakdown of the largest foreign traveler groups in October 2024:

• United States: 52,163 (24.5%)
• United Kingdom: 24,268 (11.4%)
• Germany: 17,246 (8.1%)
• China: 10,265 (4.8%)
• France: 9,403 (4.4%)
• Poland: 9,066 (4.3%)
• Italy: 8,381 (3.6%)
• Spain: 6,461 (3.0%)
• Netherlands: 6,278 (2.9%)
• Canada: 6,225 (2.9%)

Departures Continue to Grow in 2024

The period from January to October 2024 saw a total of two million foreign traveler departures from Iceland—a 4.9% increase compared to the same timeframe in 2023. These numbers reflect 96.5% of departures recorded during Iceland’s peak tourism year in 2018, indicating a near full recovery for the sector.

Icelanders’ Travel Trends

In October, approximately 55,000 Icelanders traveled abroad, a slight 3.3% decrease compared to October 2023. However, year-to-date departures by Icelandic residents total 519,000 trips, a marginal 0.3% increase from the same period last year.

A Bright Future for Icelandic Tourism

As foreign departures continue to rise, Iceland’s tourism industry demonstrates resilience and adaptability. With travelers from across the globe eager to experience the country’s unique landscapes and culture, Iceland remains a top choice for adventure-seekers and nature enthusiasts alike. These growing figures also underscore the importance of sustainable tourism practices to preserve Iceland’s pristine environment for future generations.

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