Employment in the tourism industry in Iceland was 32,365 in May 2025, or 1% increase from May 2024. In the 12-month period from June 2024 to May 2025, an average of 31,437 individuals worked in the tourism industry compared with 31,706 in the previous 12-month period.
Turnover according to VAT reports in Icelandic tourism sectors was 138.8 billion ISK in March to April 2025, an increase of almost 7% from the previous year. Change in the 12-month period from May 2024 to April 2025 is a 5% increase compared with the same period the previous year.
Overnight stays in hotels in May 2025 were 430,841 compared with 487,649 in May the year before. More information about overnight stays can be found on Statistics Iceland‘s website under the category Tourism.
In June, there were 305,682 departures of passengers from Keflavik airport compared with 277,672 in June 2024. Departures of passengers with foreign citizenship were 233,867 (+10%) compared with 212,391 a year earlier.
This release includes updated statistics on turnover by VAT reports, overnight stays and register based employment. Also updated are statistics on rental cars from the Icelandic Transport Authority, traffic statistics from the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration, passengers count by nationality from the Icelandic Tourist Board and passengers’ statistics through Keflavik Airport along with traffic statistics published by ISAVIA.
Statistics
Short term indicators in tourism
Overnight stays
External trade in services
Labour force – register data