Open Jaw :: On The Town ::

With Martha Chapman
11JUN08

Robert Keddy of Icelandair with Else Einarsdóttir of Iceland’s trade council

Brian Robertson, Stephanie Anevich and Cindy Ducasse of Vision 2000 with Palmi Jonsson of Nordic Visitor

Steinunn Gudbjörnsdóttir of Gudmundur Jónasson Travel with Jan Zandboer of Janzan Marketing

Iceland: It’s So Cool It’s Hot

Last night Toronto enjoyed an invasion of the nicest kind: a delegation of 17 travel pros dedicated to promoting the fascinating island nation called Iceland.

As tour operators, travel agents and travel writers mingled with the visitors, there was a palpable buzz in the air in the ballroom of the swank Sutton Place Hotel. And it was not just cocktail chatter: you could see folks were negotiating, talking contracts, doing business.

All of which no doubt assisted by Icelandair’s newest routes, Toronto-Reykjavik and Halifax-Reykjavik. According to the genial Robert Keddy, the carrier’s sales manager for Canada, load factors are running about 80% – not bad for the first few weeks of operation. “Icelanders like new destinations, and love to shop,” said Elsa Einarsdottir of the trade council of Iceland, while Robert pointed out that Canadians have long been intrigued by Iceland, and the airline is happy to serve that pent-up demand – even if it’s for a short stay enroute to Europe.

Two Canadians who are looking forward to their Icelandic sojourn next month are couple-about-town Brian Robertson and Stephanie Anevich of Vision2000. “We plan to tour around in a four wheel drive, visit the Blue Lagoon – and go on an Icelandic bar crawl!” reports Stephanie. And no doubt soak up some of that legendary Icelandic hospitality.