It’s one of the biggest questions in global tourism: What the hell is happening to tourism from China? It’s a question a lot of us tried to answer throughout 2023 after China reopened – on January 8 – after 3 years of lockdown.
16.12.2023 - 20:29 / skift.com / Dawit Habtemariam
Blue Lagoon Iceland will reopen its geothermal spa and some restaurants to guests on December 17, it said in an statement Friday.
The Blue Lagoon had closed on November 9 due to earthquakes in the area and a predicted volcanic eruption. As of December 16, a volcanic eruption has not occurred and Blue Lagoon’s operators decided to reopen after consulting with local authorities.
There was minimal damage from the earthquakes. “Despite the events of the last few weeks, damage to our buildings and the infrastructure, including encompassing pipelines, electricity, and other key components, was minimal and they remain in excellent condition,” said Helga Árnadóttir, chief operator of sales, operations, and services at Blue Lagoon Iceland.
What will open: Blue Lagoon, Blue Café, Lava Restaurant, the Retreat Spa, Spa Restaurant, and the on-site Blue Lagoon Skincare will be open from 11:00 to 20:00 GMT.
Silica Hotel, Retreat Hotel, and Moss Restaurant will be closed until 7:00 GMT on December 21, 2023.
Restrictions: Roads are only open to buses. Visitors and guests with existing reservations will not be able to drive their own vehicles.
While Blue Lagoon was closed for over a month, other attractions have remained opened. The Golden Circle, the South Coast and the Northern Lights have stayed open.
Tour operators have not cut their trips to Iceland or seen a drop in demand. “[The volcano’s] been a non-starter,” said Jason Susinsiki, vice president of product for Kensington Tours. “Clients are still going.”
It’s one of the biggest questions in global tourism: What the hell is happening to tourism from China? It’s a question a lot of us tried to answer throughout 2023 after China reopened – on January 8 – after 3 years of lockdown.
This series of articles about credit cards, points and miles, and budgeting for travel is brought to you in partnership with The Points Guy.
The Forbes Five-Star Rated Restaurant Welcomes Executive Chef Colin Sato, Who Joins Pastry Chef Jamon Harper to Bring a New Approach to Honolulu’s Contemporary Fine Dining Establishment.
The recent volcanic eruption in Iceland has brought worldwide attention back to the land of fire and ice. It’s the fourth eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula in just three years.
While COVID-19 shuttered many global destinations, Australia's borders remained closed longer than most, for nearly two years. During this time, the country's Blue Mountains, less than two hours northwest of Sydney, also experienced devastating bushfires that destroyed 2.5 million acres of the region's UNESCO-listed National Park. The fires were followed by two years of cataclysmal flooding that wiped out farms, roads, and riverbeds, and killed two successive wine harvests. Until recently, the region felt impenetrable.
“Eigi skal höggva!” (Do not strike!) were the last words of Snorri Sturluson, saga author and chieftain of the Sturlungar clan.
Rail traffic under the English Channel was gradually returning to normal on Thursday after the end of an unexpected walkout by railway workers that had blocked the Channel Tunnel, stranding passengers and causing several hours of travel chaos just days before Christmas.
Hot springs are thermal wonders that promise not only warmth but also breathtaking scenery that captivates the soul, and adds some magic to your feed. From the picturesque landscapes of Iceland to the serene valleys of Japan, here are some of the world’s most beautiful hot springs.
Good morning from Skift. It’s Wednesday, December 20. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.
In this series, Lonely Planet's team of writers and editors answers your travel problems and provides tips and hacks to help you plan a hassle-free trip. This week, Icelandic travel writer Eygló Svala Arnarsdóttir from Reykjavík brings us up-to-date on the volcanic activity in Grindavík and how it could impact travelers.
As Iceland’s volcano erupts, tour operators are using Sky Lagoon as an alternative to Blue Lagoon for group trips.
One question after a volcano erupted in Iceland Monday night was: Will it impact air travel?