WEF Names Iceland the Newest Friendliest Place on the Planet

The World Economic Forum (WEF) revealed the results of its recent poll on the country that is most welcoming to foreigners. The results are a tad surprising to those who have never been to this isolated, mysterious, rustic, and geographically unstable island. But the fact is, Iceland is the “most welcoming nation” on the planet. Of 140 contenders, this island nation, Iceland is on top of the list. New Zealand is in second place, while Morocco is third. Macedonia is in the fourth place while Austria is in the fifth place.

Tourists are coming

Iceland is sitting squarely on top of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and its land area is increasing a few inches a year as the rift pulls it apart. It is also one of the most isolated countries on the planet. Its active volcanoes sit under glaciers and tons of ice. There are lava fields, geysers and hot springs everywhere. And yet tourists are coming, and the hope is there will be more.

Based on reports, more and more tourists are visiting Iceland with a marked increase since 2000. The count at that time was 300,000. The numbers are consistently going up since then, as 600,000 tourists went to visit. The projection is a million international visitors to the country by 2020.

Keeping their heads up

Iceland suffered from a financial crisis five years ago and is just on its way to recovery. It had to face a huge amount of pressure from various sectors in the international community. Evidently, the financial crisis in 2008 did not do much to decrease the optimism, openness and enthusiasm of Iceland’s citizens. Observers say that Icelanders are very proud of their heritage and that is why they love showing their country off to visitors. Icelanders are seemingly great at selling its country and courting the peoples of other nations to keep coming back.

The current outlook of the citizens of this economically embattled country is much more positive these days. The economy is recovering and Iceland has paid its debts ahead of schedule.

Historically cheerful

A student at a University in Reykjavik confidently claims that the people of Iceland are cheerful because of the way they greet visitors with the best that they can offer. He said that this had something to do with their history and culture. And they want the tourists coming in. A lighthouse operator in Akranes says that he likes to point things out to tourists and he interacts with them, finding out about their lives in their own countries. He says that it’s great that they choose to visit Iceland and he also asks them why they come.

This Icelandic pride will keep tourists coming in. And their pride extends to their culinary offerings of shark and puffin. Icelanders are happy to show off the unique natural offerings of Iceland to the world. And there are also gimmicks here and there, one of which is the stop over policy of the national Icelandic carrier for flights crossing the Atlantic Ocean between continental Europe and the United States.