March 2015: 2015 has so far has been a phenomenal year for the number of UK tourists visiting Iceland. There has been a 30 per cent increase in UK visitor numbers between January and February in 2015 (50,936) compared to the same period in 2014 (39,396).

There are now even more reasons to visit Iceland this summer with a number of exciting new openings scheduled to take place.

New Tours

Volcano land tour, Reykjanes

Set-up by three brothers: Rúnar Karlsson, Einar Karlsson and Ingólfur Karlsson – AWOL is a new tour operator which allows visitors to discover unspoiled Icelandic nature. AWOL offers a number of hiking trips across an array of volcanic terrains. There are also a number of tours off the beaten tourist trail which take visitors through Reykjanes Peninsula. The seven kilometre 'volcano land tour' hiking trip starts near the volcanic crater Eldborg close to Mount Trölladyngja. Following a breath-taking ascent, descend down the mountain's south side and journey onto a small hillside, Lambafell. Lasting seven hours, the tour will take hikers through the amazing formation of Lambafellsklofi, a narrow and deep fissure which splits the hillside in half; once complete the trip takes hikers back to Eldborg. Prices for the volcano road trip starts from £90 per person. For more information, please visit: www.awol.is

Fortitude Day Tour, East Iceland

Following the success of television drama, Fortitude, a day tour is now available for visitors who are keen to explore the set where the crime drama was filmed. Set in the beautiful east fjords, in the villages of Eskifjörður and Reyðarfjörður, visitors are guided around the areas with the chance to meet some of the locals who featured in the show. The tour lasts nine hours and prices start from £120 per person and include a local guide and a drive around the set. For more information or to book, please visit: www.meetthelocals.is/fortitude---day-tour.html

Yoga tour in the Westfjords, West Iceland

Combine an exhilarating hike and yoga practices against the breathtaking backdrop of the Westfjords. The new yoga tour, which sets off from Patreksfjörður Tourist Centre, begins with stretching and breathing exercises to increase lung capacity and endurance. The trail will continue with a guided walk from Breiðavík to Lambavatn Lake. Regular pit-stops are made along the way to practise yoga whilst soaking in the spectacular scenery of the Westfjords. Prices start from £80 per person per day and include guidance from a qualified yoga instructor and a refreshment pack. For more information please visit: http://westfjordsadventures.com/tour/yoga-tour/

Snowshoeing in Seyðisfjörður, East Iceland

Snowshoeing has been around for thousands of years, from the early wood-frame to the aluminium-frame models, and has garnered quite a following throughout the world. For those keen on a snowshoeing adventure, there is now a three hour guided tour in the  beautiful town of Seyðisfjörður in East Iceland which gives travellers the chance to spot ptarmigans, snow buntings, fox tracks and reindeer herds. After the tour, gather around a log fire to enjoy some hot cocoa. Prices for the tour start from £45 per person and this includes a pick-up from Seyðisfjörður, snowshoes, walking poles, hot cocoa with rum and a guide. For more information, please visit: www.traveleast.is/en/hiking/snowshoeing-in-seydisfjordur

Fish and eat your catch in the East

Enjoy a three day tour catching local fish in one of Iceland's most picturesque fjords: Seyðisfjörður, a historical and culturally vibrant village. A local fisherman will be on hand to provide fishing tips and to teach visitors how to catch, prepare and cook with the “a la carte” chefs of Hotel Aldan. After hitting the seas, end the day at the remote nature reserve at the mouth of the fjord to relax in the heritage hotel and mountain lodge at Skálanes. Prices start from £850 per person. This includes full board hotel accommodation, guidance, local transport, airport pick up/drop off and all listed activities. For more information, please visit:

http://www.traveleast.is/en/tour-packages/living-with-nature-autumn

Arctic freeriding, North Iceland

Located in Ólafsfjörður and recognised for its specialist snowcat-skiing trips in North Iceland – Artic Freeride takes visitors up Múlakolla Mountain, the main cat-skiing area in northern Iceland and a world class skiing area with many slopes. Reach the peak of Múlakolla at 3,228 feet and enjoy the amazing views of Ólafsfjörður, the Troll Peninsula and Eyjafjörður, before skiing down. Snowcat-skiing takes place between the months of January to May. Prices start from £35 per person for the two-hour trip. For more information, please visit: www.arcticfreeride.com

IceCave, West Iceland

To keep up with the growing popularity of glaciers, IceCave, Europe's largest ice cave is set to be a huge tourist attraction. From June 2015 to October 2015, visitors will be able to experience the 500 metre colossal channel, located on Langjökull glacier. Accessible from the surface of the glacier 1,200 metres above sea level, visitors can travel underground to see the various shades of ancient ice. Visitors can also walk around 300 metres inside and 30 metres below the surface of the glacier. In total 7,000 square metres of ice will be dug out of the glacier and it will feature exhibitions as well as a dining experience. The cave will be open for eight months of the year. For more information, please visit: www.icecave.is.

Sea-kayaking, Reykjanes Peninsula

Iceland is known for its amazing landscape and the best way to experience the beauty of the country is by getting into a sea kayak. Located only 30 minutes from Reykjavik city centre, Reykjanes Seakayak is a new sea-kayaking company situated in the peninsula of Reykjanes. The guided tours take place in the bay of Reykjanes, with the tour starting from Þórustaðir, Vatnsleysuströnd to the Gerðistangi lighthouse and back. The tours start from 1 May to 30 September and prices for a guided tour start at £50 per person for a two hour trip. The trips are conducted for groups of two to eight people for a total of two hours. For more information, please visit: seakayak.is/

New hotel openings

Siglo Hotel, North Iceland

Opening its doors in the beginning of June is the Siglo Hotel in the serene village of Siglufjord, north Iceland. Built into the fisherman's marina, all rooms at Siglo Hotel have a wonderful view of the beautiful surrounding mountains. Siglufjord was once dubbed the herring capital of the world; since then the northernmost town of Iceland has been considered one of the country's most historic places. The hotel boasts 68 rooms, and three restaurants providing customers with a culinary experience created by Icelandic chefs. For more information, please visit: www.siglohotel.is  

 Hótel Kjarnaskógur, North Iceland

South of Akureyri is Iceland's most visited forest, Kjarnaskogur. The area spans approximately 600 hectares with more than one million trees of many species planted within the last 50 years. Boasting a seven kilometre trail, a vast network of backcountry trails and a ten kilometre designated mountain bike trail – it is an attractive wooded area with a variety of recreational activities. The new hotel will be located in the woods and opens in June 2015. Boasting 38 rooms, its main focus will be on health and wellness. www.northiceland.is/en/other/place/kjarnaskogur-woods

 Apotek, Reykjavik

Opened in January 2015, this four star boutique hotel, Apotek, boasts 45 contemporary rooms and is located in downtown Reykjavik. The hotel was once a central pharmacy and is a well-known historic landmark in the city. Prices start from £195 per person, per night for a standard double room. For more information, please visit: www.keahotels.is/apotek-hotel  

Hotel Lava Grindavík, Reykjanes

Opening on 1 June 2015, Hotel Lava is the new hotel opening in the charming Grindavík village on the South West coast of Iceland. Grindavík is a small fishing village surrounded by beautiful lava fields in a busy fishing harbour. Approximately 20km from the Keflavik International Airport, the hotel will offer 36 double and family rooms. Prices start at £90 for a double room. For more information, please visit: www.hotellava.is 

Puffin Hotel, East Iceland

Located in the heart of the East Fjords in a charming little town called Eskifjordur, is the Puffin Hotel. Due to open in May 2015, the hotel boasts views across the fjord and the majestic "Holmatindur" mountain peaks. The hotel boasts 16 double rooms which all have a flat­screen TV, black­out curtains, ensuite bathroom and free WiFi. Boat excursions are available to the islands of Reydarfjordur are available from the hotel. For more information, please visit: http://puffinhotel.is/index_en.php

Hotel Husafell, West Iceland

Located in Borgarfjordur, west Iceland, Hotel Husafell is an hour and a half drive from Reykjavik and opens in summer 2015. Located close to the Ice Cave, glaciers, lava caves and the Hraunfossar waterfalls – the hotel is the ideal location for those looking to explore Iceland's great outdoors. The hotel boasts 36 rooms in total with a mixture of standard and deluxe, all beautifully decorated with paintings from Husafell's own world-renowned artist, Pall Gudmundssson. Prices start at £225 per person per night for a deluxe (double) room. For more information, please visit: www.hotelhusafell.com

Mengi Kjarnholt, South Iceland  

Opening on May 1 2015, Mengi Kjarnholt is a small hotel located in in the heart of the Icelandic countryside. The hotel boasts ten rooms and is situated in Biskupstungur in the south of Iceland, circa 100km from Reykjavik. Magnificent views of the Icelandic highlands, Kerlingafjöll, Bláfell Mountains, Biskupstungura and the river Tungufljót can be enjoyed. The hotel has one single room, seven double rooms and two family rooms that can accommodate up to four people. All the rooms have been recently renovated in a classy vintage style with Icelandic modern art. Mengi Kjarnholt is the sister hotel to the original, Kjarnholt, which is a beautiful 1950's old farm house renovated in a rustic manner. Prices for a double room start at £140 per double room. For more information, please visit: www.mengi-kjarnholt.com

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Promote Iceland

Visit Iceland is a part of Promote Iceland. Promote Iceland is a public-private partnership established to improve the competitiveness of Icelandic companies in foreign markets and to stimulate economic growth through increased export and tourism. www.visiticeland.com

For more information, please contact Jenny Groutage, Verity Ramsay and Asha Sudha at The Brighter Group on 0207 326 9880 or email visiticeland@brightergroup.com