Record number at tourist centre
A record number of visitors to the Tourist Information Centre in Reykjavík, totalling 69,000 in July. At the TIC, tourists receive impartial information about nationwide travel opportunities, culture, leisure activities and services.
69,000 tourists visited the Tourist Information Centre in Reykjavik (UMFR) on Aðalstræti in July, the highest number in a single month since its establishment in 1987. The highest number of visitors in one day was on 30 July, with 2,700 people. The biggest increase was in January, when 661 more tourists visited the centre than in the same month last year.
The Tourist Information Centre is the place in Reykjavík where most foreign tourists make a stop and many subsequently decide how best to spend their visit to Iceland. Tourists receive impartial information there about travel opportunities, culture, leisure activities and services nationwide. The UMFR also plays an important role when it comes to tourist safety, ensuring that the latest information is always available to tourists. The Centre has had a successful partnership with Safe Travel, which is run by Landsbjörg.
Reykjavík loves
The Tourist Information Centre plays a major role in the collaboration between municipalities in the capital region under the banner of Reykjavik loves. The aim of the collaboration is to introduce new areas to tourists and reduce pressure on sensitive locations in the city. By spreading visitors out, the region's leisure activities and services are utilised as a whole. The role of the UMFR is also to make it easier for tourism stakeholders to promote their products and services to tourists. The Centre has been in partnership with Iceland Travel Assistance – ITA since 2005 for the booking and sale of tours and activities. The Visitor Information Centre is run by the Capital Region Tourist Board with funding from the City of Reykjavík and the Icelandic Tourist Board, and employs 30 people. The UMFR is open every day of the year from 8 am to 8 pm, except for Christmas Day. The UMFR has been located at Aðalstræti 2 since 2003, but this autumn its operations will move to Reykjavík City Hall.
About the Capital Region Authority
The Capital Region Authority handles projects related to general tourism in Reykjavík, the operation of the Tourist Information Centre (UMFR), and the marketing of the capital region under the brand name Reykjavík loves. It also runs one of the country's largest travel websites, visitreykjavik.is, where information on activities and services in the city can be found. Reykjavíkurborg is also responsible for the planning and execution of various key events on behalf of the City of Reykjavík, such as the Winter Lights Festival, Culture Night, the Children's Culture Festival, the lighting of the Peace Tower, and December in Reykjavík.