'Iceland Academy' Launches to Encourage Tourists to Be Informed and Travel Happy

'Iceland Academy' Launches to Encourage Tourists to Be Informed and Travel Happy

REYKJAVIK, Iceland, February 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --



YouTube: https://youtu.be/z8TUcWYDxjk




- Inspired By Iceland [http://www.inspiredbyiceland.com ] launches 'Iceland Academy'
[http://www.inspiredbyiceland.com ], a new tourism campaign aimed at ensuring a happy
and meaningful experience for tourists, whilst raising awareness about how to travel
in a safe and responsible way
- The fun interactive online education tool encourages informed behaviour from visitors
through inspirational, playful yet informative video classes
- 'Iceland Academy' [http://www.inspiredbyiceland.com ] classes range from cultural
primers such as how to eat like an Icelander to avoiding awkwardness in the hot tub,
to more safety conscious issues such as not getting lost up a mountain
- Academy class 'tutors' include selected representatives from the Icelandic Search and
Rescue service, as well as the award-winning National Culinary Team and adventure
sports specialists


Today Inspired By Iceland [http://www.inspiredbyiceland.com ] unveiled 'Iceland
Academy' [http://www.inspiredbyiceland.com ], an exciting new online tool to help visitors
understand the best of Icelandic culture and etiquette, how to stay safe on their travels,
as well as its beautiful nature. A variety of classes are covered by a panel of
charismatic experts and local 'tutors', highlighting the topics that tourists ask for
advice on most, as well as those that they may not think to enquire about. The academy
aims to help tourists be more informed, ensuring a happy and meaningful experience, whilst
raising their awareness about how to travel in a safe and responsible way.



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The online academy, now open via the Inspired By Iceland
[http://www.inspiredbyiceland.com ] website, will see a series of video tutorials released,
offering a fun short course of advice and insider knowledge on a variety of aspects of
Icelandic culture; from explaining hot tub etiquette and local food sustainability, to
glacier safety and explaining why tourists should never mess with the locals' treasured
Icelandic moss.



Inga Hlín Pálsdóttir, Director, Tourism & Creative Industries at Promote Iceland
said: "With Iceland's appeal as a winter destination increasing and with interest from
Europe and North America up by 59% since 2012*, we have a responsibility to not only
inspire but educate those considering a trip to Iceland, as well as encouraging
sustainable travel amongst our visitors. The majority of tourists want to experience
nature, and we know that Icelandic nature must be treated with respect and care. We
believe that if the traveller is better informed of conditions ahead of time, he or she
will get more out of the trip and leave the country happier."



An 'Iceland Academy' [http://www.inspiredbyiceland.com ] panel of eight experienced
and knowledgeable 'tutors' will offer light-hearted yet informative tutorials on a variety
of specialist subjects. Led by 'Head of the Academy' and certified tour guide Stína Bang
who will lead a class in Responsible Travel in Iceland, tutors include Jónas Guethmundsson,
Duty Officer of Icelandic Search and Rescue and head of the SafeTravel project (Staying
Safe in Iceland), Ylfa Helgadóttir, Member of the National Culinary Team (How to Eat Like
an Icelander), Guethmundur Karl Jónsson, Ski Area Manager at Hlíetharfjall (A Guide to
Winter Sports in Iceland), Kamilla Ingibergsdóttir, Personal Assistant for Of Monsters And
Men and former head of PR and marketing for Iceland Airwaves (A Guide to Icelandic
Festivals), Baldur Kristjánsson, Photographer (Capturing the Northern Lights), Guethrún
Bjarnadóttir, Wellness specialist (Therapeutic Iceland) and Sigríethur Margrét
Guethmundsdóttir, Icelandic Saga expert, (A Beginners Guide to Icelandic Sagas).



'Iceland Academy's' [http://www.inspiredbyiceland.com ] classes are open to everyone
via the Inspired By Iceland [http://www.inspiredbyiceland.com ] website and social media
channels (Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/inspiredbyiceland ], Twitter
[https://twitter.com/icelandinspired ] and Instagram
[https://www.instagram.com/inspiredbyiceland ]). Viewers are invited to attend each class
and encouraged to complete each term, after which they will receive a special badge. Once
they have collected all available badges, viewers will have the chance to win a 'field
trip' to Iceland to test out their new skills. Just like a real school, the 'Iceland
Academy' [http://www.inspiredbyiceland.com ] timetable will run on a seasonal basis with
new classes launched each term:



- How to Avoid Hot Tub Awkwardness



Iceland is well known for its hot tub culture, but do you know the right customs and
etiquette of the locals' favourite pastime? This class has this covered, even if the
correct etiquette is not to be!



- Responsible Travelling In Iceland



One of the golden rules for travelling in Iceland is to respect Mother Nature and take
care of your environment. Head Teacher Stína will show you how to be the most responsible
traveller with this class.



- How To Eat Like An Icelander



Discover the secrets behind Iceland being one of the longest living nations on earth.
Hint, it starts with the stomach! Award winning chef Ylfa tells you about Iceland's finest
cuisine and shows you that you really are what you eat.



- Staying Safe In Iceland



Iceland is beautiful but it can also be a difficult place to travel around. Fear not,
Jónas from Icelandic Search and Rescue is here to give you a lesson on staying safe in
Iceland. Take the class to equip yourself for your next adventure.



- A Guide to Winter Sports in Iceland



The Icelandic winter has a lot to offer the active explorer, from snowboarding and
skiing to diving between tectonic plates. Allow Ski Area Manager Guethmundur to take you
on an adrenaline filled tour of all the activities on offer:



- Pack Warm and Stay Happy



The Icelandic weather changes very quickly. Be guided in this class on what to wear
and what not to wear to stay warm and happy in Iceland.



- Driving in Iceland



Driving in Iceland can take not only skill but awareness of the conditions that might
be just around the corner. Let our tutor Jónas fill you in on how to be best prepared when
travelling on four wheels.



- Therapeutic Iceland



Wellness expert Guethrún teaches you all about wellness in Iceland, from the
geothermal pools which are part of everyday life to the world famous Blue Lagoon.



- A Guide to Icelandic Festivals



What kind of festival goer are you? From Reykjavik's Design March to Iceland Airwaves
to the horse round ups that are the very heart of Icelandic farm life, let tutor Kamilla
guide you to your dream festival experience.



- How to Travel Further in Iceland



Iceland is a small island that is well serviced by a popular ring road and domestic
flights to the seven regions of the country. Learn with this class just how easy it is to
explore all corners of the most beautiful land on earth.  



- Capturing the Northern Lights



The Northern Lights are a bucket list favourite but how to capture them on camera is
an art that takes some practicing! Tutor Baldur will advise his students in this class on
the best times, best places and best way to capture that perfect Northern Light photo.



- A Beginner's Guide to Icelandic Sagas



The Icelandic Sagas are a series of historical tales that cause wonderment and inspire
awe amongst the locals even today. Find out more about the basics of the Sagas and what
makes them so important to Icelanders, young and old.



To enrol in spring term at 'Iceland Academy' visit
http://www.inspiredbyiceland.com.



*(Source: Statistics Iceland) 



Notes to Editors 



Inspired By Iceland 



Inspired by Iceland is a public-private partnership between the Icelandic government,
the Icelandic Travel Industry Association, Landsbankinn, Icelandair and other leading
companies in Icelandic tourism. Promote Iceland is the developer and the executive body of
the campaign.




 
For more information please visit: 
Inspired By Iceland http://www.inspiredbyiceland.com 
#IcelandAcademy 
#Icelandsecret 
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/inspiredbyiceland 
Twitter - @icelandinspired [https://twitter.com/icelandinspired ] 
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/inspiredbyiceland 
Instagram - Inspiredbyiceland [https://www.instagram.com/inspiredbyiceland ] 


 


To plan your trip visit http://www.visiticeland.com/plan-your-trip  



Promote Iceland http://www.promoteiceland.is



For media enquiries please contact Laura Hind at The Brooklyn Brothers on
+44-2072926200 or email Iceland@thebrooklynbrothers.com






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Inspired by Iceland


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