Departures of foreign passengers via Keflavík Airport were 101,000 in March.
Last week’s highlights
Departures of foreign passengers via Keflavík Airport were 101,000 in March. This is 13% fewer than March 2016, but 2016 is the year that is closest to 2022 in terms of the number of foreign tourists. Overnight stays by foreigners were 15% lower than in March 2016 yet the turnover of foreign payment cards in Iceland was only 3.5% lower (at a fixed exchange rate) in March this year than in March 2016.
Domestic payment card turnover increased by 12% in real terms between years in March, of which turnover in retail outlets abroad increased by 110% and turnover in retail outlets in Iceland by 0.4%. The turnover of foreign payment cards in Iceland was seven times higher in March than in March 2021.
The week ahead
On Tuesday, Registers Iceland will release the capital area housing price index for February.