Last week, Akureyri became a gathering point for the North when the 40th Vestnorden Travel Mart filled both the Sports Hall and Hof Cultural and Conference Center with energy and collaboration
Arnheiður Jóhannsdóttir, managing director of Visit North Iceland, writes:
“Last week, Akureyri became a gathering point for the North when the 40th Vestnorden Travel Mart filled both the Sports Hall and Hof Cultural and Conference Center with energy and collaboration. The spirit of professionalism, innovation, and progress was evident everywhere — in the tours before and after the event, in the meetings at the tables, and in the warm encounters on the familiarization trips hosted by tourism companies across the region.
Participants left with more than just business opportunities. They carried with them a deeper sense of North Iceland — its people, its landscapes, and the unique way of life that shapes our tourism. Stronger relationships were forged, and new ideas took root.
We extend heartfelt gratitude to NATA for choosing Akureyri and North Iceland as the home of Vestnorden 2025. Hosting such an event strengthens the whole region, and the town of Akureyri deserves special thanks for its warm welcome, generous support, and seamless organization.
This year, more than 550 participants gathered to share their tourism services, discover new ones, and plan journeys to Iceland, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands. Among them were 160 international travel agency representatives. Over 30 companies from North Iceland stepped forward, showing the strength, creativity, and cooperation that define tourism in this part of the country.
The dedicated team at Visit North Iceland played a key role in preparing and running Vestnorden, working closely with Business Iceland to ensure everything moved smoothly and challenges were met with clarity and resolve. Your commitment and ambition shone through every step of the way, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.”