Tourism industry urges government talks to boost community revenues

The Icelandic Travel Industry Association has urged the government to work with the tourism sector on ways to increase its contribution to society, according to a statement published by mbl.is.

The association said Iceland’s tourism industry had achieved notable results in recent years. It is one of the country’s largest industries, accounts for one-third of Iceland’s export revenues and supports tens of thousands of jobs, it said.

Tourism has also brought activity and diversity across the country, particularly in rural areas, where it has created new opportunities and helped build a wider range of services.

Higher charges reduce benefits

The association said it was proud of the industry’s achievements and wanted to continue building on them. However, increased charges and a lack of predictability reduce the benefits the industry provides to society, weaken its strength, resilience and competitiveness, harm investment in quality and future development, and negatively affect local communities across the country.

It said positive ways to generate the same or higher revenues for the state, municipalities and society as a whole were well known, realistic and effective. Such measures would support the goals of the government’s tourism and employment policies, it said.

“The tourism industry therefore calls on the authorities to work systematically with the sector to increase society’s revenues from it,” the statement said.

The association said a thriving tourism industry that supports diverse development in flourishing communities across the country and generates substantial state revenues was in everyone’s interests.

“We look forward to productive dialogue and cooperation with the authorities on how to create greater value, increased revenues and long-term stability,” it said.