IcelandTravelTech is a joint venture between the Icelandic Tourist Board and Iceland Tourism Cluster. It aims to increase focus on digitization in the tourism industry and to provide both travel industry and tech partners with a platform where they can meet, discuss and showcase challenges and solutions.

As from the 31st of May the provision stipulating a compulsory stay in quarantine facilities for people arriving from specific high-risk areas ceases to apply. As from that time, only those who do not have access to adequate facilities to undergo home quarantine are required to stay in a quarantine facility.

Last week, Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir, the Minister of Tourism, announced additional allocations from the Tourist Site Protection Fund, a total amount of ISK 122 million. Additionally, more than ISK 70 million will be spent on infrastructure development and environmental protection at the Fagradalsfjall eruption site, according to proposals from the Minister of Tourism and the Environment and Natural Resources Minister.

The company Hidden Iceland, which received certification from the certification body iCert according to Vakinn's quality and environmental criteria last year, has now done even better and received gold certification in the environmental part of Vakinn, but before that the company had a bronze certification

The definition of criteria for determining whether countries or areas are considered high-risk areas has been revised. In addition to criteria on the incidence rate of infection, a condition will be added regarding the ratio of positive samples which influences whether a region or country is considered a high-risk area or not.

Preparation for establishing destination management organizations in all parts of the country has been underway for some time. Agreements have been signed to establish DMOs in all parts of the country except in the capital area. The Ministry of Tourism, regional associations of municipalities, and the Icelandic Tourist Board are all associates to this agreement. The aim of the agreements is to strengthen the tourism industry's support system and promote the positive progress of the tourism industry throughout the country. The agreements are for three years, with the guiding principle being the future vision of Icelandic tourism until 2030.

A new regulation by the Minister of Health on quarantine and isolation and COVID-19 testing at the Icelandic border will take effect on Tuesday 27 April. The regulation introduces obligation for arriving passengers to stay in a quarantine facility if they come from countries with high infection rate of COVID-19 as defined by the regulation. The Icelandic authorities will regularly issue a list of high-risk countries, which will be updated as needed.

The Government of Iceland has announced temporary border measures to counter the domestic spread of COVID-19. These measures aim to create conditions to allow lifting domestic restrictions as much as possible. The vaccination programme in Iceland is continuing at pace, and as more people become vaccinated, conditions for easing restrictions will become more favourable, both within society and at the border.

Clearer requirements are made for home quarantine, regarding housing and rules of conduct. Those who are unable to stay in a home quarantine that fulfils the requirements will need to stay at a quarantine facility. However, no fee shall be collected for the stay.

The Minister of Justice of Iceland has decided that the previously announced decision to exempt from travel restrictions those who can provide proof of vaccination or prior infection will take effect on 6 April. The change in regulation will allow travellers from non-Schengen countries, who meet the criteria, to travel to Iceland for non-essential reasons.