The aim of a trip to Iceland is to discover and enjoy the country’s unique landscape, which could only be created through the interaction of nature, weather conditions and its isolated location in the North Atlantic. Due to the climate, most plants in Iceland grow very slowly and are sensitive to human influence.
These days, the media reports about the growing influence of tourism on Iceland, which has brought some changes in infrastructure and dealing with guests. Find out what Iceland ProTravel and you can do to make your trip more sustainable.
Preserve Iceland’s Unique Natural Landscapes
A lot has happened on the island in the past years. Numerous companies in Iceland have integrated sustainability into their processes and demonstrate this through eco-certification according to Vakinn (www.vakinn.is/en) or ISO 14001 standard.
Our car rental partner Europcar is the first Icelandic car rental company with ISO 14001 certification and very committed in terms of sustainability. For example, consistent waste management and the purchase of vehicles that are as economical as possible are among the principles of their environmentally conscious actions.
Vakinn Eco-Certified Partners
We already work with a number of certified accommodations and leisure providers. These meet certain ethical, professional, safety and environmental standards. A selection of our partners who already hold the Vakinn environmental certificate can be found here:
- Elding - Whale Watching
- Friðheimar - Public Greenhouse with Restaurant
- Reykjavik Excursions - Tour Operator
- Arctic Adventures - Tour Operator
- Grand Hotel Reykjavik
- Fosshotels (including Rauðará, Barón)
Our Tips for Sustainable Travel in Iceland
Learn how you can also contribute to more sustainable tourism during your trip:
• Only drive on the marked roads and never off track (this is officially prohibited!).
• Please do not leave any garbage or other objects in nature.
• Use the provided parking spaces, campsites, and sanitary facilities. Wild camping, in particular, has been severely punished for several years now.
• Stay on marked hiking trails or beaten tracks. Some plants, such as the Icelandic moss, take years to decades to recover from a single footprint.
• Bring a water bottle and enjoy the fresh glacier tap water instead of buying disposable plastic bottles. In restaurants, you also get tap water for free.
• Try local products, such as dairy products made in Iceland, instead of consuming expensive imported goods.
• Support Iceland's economy by supporting local businesses. These ensure long-term local employment and contribute to the maintenance of infrastructure through their tax payments. At handpickediceland.is you will find selected restaurants, cultural venues, and accommodations.
• In order to make your journey to Iceland more eco-friendly, we also recommend that you compensate for the CO2 emissions of your flight with Atmosfair: www.atmosfair.de/en.
The Icelandic Pledge
You can also officially contribute to more eco-friendly travel in Iceland by following the recommendations of the Icelandic Tourist Board, a great initiative that includes behavioral tips for visitors.
Take the Icelandic Pledge: inspiredbyiceland.com/icelandicpledge.
We work together with you and our partners to make tourism in Iceland even more "greener".
The entire team of Iceland ProTravel is grateful for your help!