Iceland's economy is growing. Tourism is up, the standard of living remains high, and unemployment is down to 7%.

Iceland is expecting a bumper year for tourism in 2012, having been recognised as one of the world’s top destinations in several award ceremonies, such as, Sunday Times Travel Magazine, for example, as the winner of the European Adventure Destination as well as a mention in the National Geographic Traveller magazine’s Best of the World 2012 guide.

In December 2011, overnight stays increased by 27% compared with December 2010 and January 2012 brought an increase of 17.5 percent Foreign guests in Iceland between years.

The biggest number of visitors in January came from the UK; a 53.7 percent rise in the number of Britons visiting Iceland in January compared to 2011. The next biggest group were people from the US, as in January, the average temperature in the capital Reykjavik is higher than that in New York. Inspired by Iceland, the Iceland tourism campaign is aimed at Icelanders opening their doors to visiting tourists in order to offer an exclusive glimpse at the Icelandic way of life. Numerous invitations have been sent out to the world online through the Inspired website so that people can plan their trip before travelling to the country. Another reason for the Icelandic tourism industry to be optimistic about 2012 might be that a great number of airlines will offer flights to Iceland this year, in all seasons, some featuring new destinations, the new Icelandair Hotel Reykjavík Marina, featuring 108 rooms, gym, bar and restaurant, will open in April.