Tourism in the Faroe Islands

Vágar Airport terminal

Tourism in the Faroe Islands is a growing industry. The official tourist board is Visit Faroe Islands, which is overseen and organized by the Ministry of Environment, Industry and Trade.

Tourism in the islands accounted for 1.4% of the total GDP in 2015.[1] Tourism is much smaller than other industries like fishing, which has dominated the Faroese economy.[2]

History

Fishing has been the primary sector of the Faroese economy for much of the past decades. Fishing accounts for around 90 to 95 percent of exports.[3] However, the economy has begun to diversify.

In 2013, Visit Faroe Islands saw their marketing funds double.[4] In 2014, a new terminal was opened in Vágar Airport, in part due to the tourism increase.[5] Vágar Airport saw the number of passengers increase by 43 percent in the ten years prior to the opening of the new terminal, with expectations of more than 250,000 passengers in 2014. Because of this, the airport hoped that other airline operators would get involved and take advantage of the high amount of traffic between the Faroes and Europe.[5][4]

Visit Faroe Islands started a campaign called "Closed for Maintenance, Open for Voluntourism" which saw a crew of applicants travel to the Faroe Islands and work with locals to preserve ten locations across the islands, as well as create and maintain hiking paths and set up signposting. The first crew traveled to the islands in April 2019.[6]

In 2018 Guide to Faroe Islands was established, it is a collaboration of organizers of travels, excursions, car rental etc. in the Faroe Islands.[7]

In late 2019, it was announced that Atlantic Airways was preparing to launch non-stop flights to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City.[8]

Hilton opened a hotel in the Faroes in late 2020, becoming the first global hotel chain in the islands.[9][10]

Impact

A study published in the Consortium Journal of Hospitality and Tourism found that over 45% of Faroese respondents believe tourism brings more benefits than problems to the country. The study also found that 95% of respondents would like to see more tourists in their communities.[11]

Recognition

The Faroe Islands have been featured in international media, with companies like The Guardian, Lonely Planet, The Sunday Times, and The Financial Times recommending the islands in 2019.[12]

In 2007, National Geographic Traveler ranked the Faroe Islands 1st out of 111 island communities around the world.[13]

Statistics

Overnight stays statistics, since 2013.[14] These statistics include overnight stays by people from the Faroe Islands.

Overnight stays 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013
Total Decrease 108,653 Increase 197,886 Increase 185,360 Increase 176,798 Increase 161,224 Increase 151,751 Increase 139,250 132,265
Hotel/hostel and guest-house Decrease 94,940 Increase 166,452 Increase 153,113 Increase 144,626 Increase 128,731 Increase 118,885 Increase 105,468 100,173
Bed and breakfast Decrease 365 Decrease 2,120 Decrease 2,447 Decrease 2,539 Decrease 2,633 Increase 3,438 Increase 2,064 1,919
House/apartment Decrease 7,869 Decrease 13,233 Decrease 16,782 Decrease 17,650 Decrease 17,851 Decrease 22,446 Decrease 25,216 27,313
Camping Decrease 5,479 Increase 16,081 Increase 13,018 Decrease 11,983 Decrease 12,009 Increase 14,937 Increase 6,502 2,860

References

  1. ^ Annual Report 2016 (PDF) (Report). Visit Faroe Islands. p. 10. Retrieved 7 February 2021. The incoming tourism has increased in relation to total GDP, from 1.2% in 2011 to 1.4% in 2015.
  2. ^ "Economy of the Faroe Islands - Visit Faroe Islands". visitfaroeislands.com. Visit Faroe Islands. n.d. Retrieved 9 February 2021. The fishing industry, which is distinctly diversified and constantly developing, has been the main source of income for the Faroe Islands since 1920. It has played to play a major part in the economy and continues to do so today
  3. ^ "Foreign Trade - The Government". government.fo. Government of the Faroe Islands. n.d. Retrieved 23 March 2021. Fish and fish products account for between 90 and 95 percent of the total export value, and around 20 percent of the GDP and 15 percent of the labor force are employed by the fishing industry.
  4. ^ a b Turner, Charlotte (24 February 2014). "Vagar Airport and Atlantic Airways new duty free venture". TR Business. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  5. ^ a b "SUCCESSFUL OPENING OF THE NEW TERMINAL ON THE FAROE ISLANDS". fae.fo (Vágar Airport). 20 June 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  6. ^ "CLOSED FOR MAINTENANCE, OPEN FOR VOLUNTOURISM". visitfaroeislands.com. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  7. ^ "Nýggjur pallur til ferðafólk: Kunnu bíleggja túrar og aðrar upplivingar". Dagur.fo. Portalurin. 28 June 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  8. ^ Leigh, Gabriel (27 November 2019). "Faroe Islands Tourism Boom: Nonstop New York Flights Coming Soon". Forbes. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  9. ^ Brandler, Hannah (3 November 2020). "Hilton opens first hotel in Faroe Islands". Business Traveller. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  10. ^ "Hilton Opens Doors to a Destination Less Travelled with Debut of Hilton Garden Inn Faroe Islands". Hilton Newsroom. 27 October 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  11. ^ Joensen, Joan; Agrusa, Jerome; Lema, Joseph; Tanner, John; Guidry, Brandi (2013). Jackson, Faye Hall (ed.). "Residents' Perception of the Faroe Islands as a Vacation Destination" (PDF). The Consortium Journal of Hospitality and Tourism. 18 (1): 18. ISSN 1535-0568. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  12. ^ "Faroe Islands named top travel destination in 2019". faroeislands.fo. n.d. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  13. ^ "Tourism Industry in the Faroe Islands". faroeislands.fo. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  14. ^ "Overnight stays (annually)". Hagstova/Statistics Faroe Islands. Retrieved 7 February 2021..