ITRC Research Projects
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Current research projects
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UPLIFT: Unlocking the potential of immersive literary and film tourism in Europe
A two year Erasmus+ project (2024-26) with the objective to promote digital solutions and innovation for the film and literary tourism sector in Europe.
Project managers: Guðrún Þóra Gunnarsdóttir [gudrunthora@rmf.is] and Vera Vilhjálmsdóttir [verav@rmf.is]
Rural Tourist Routes - resident’s attitudes and inclusion
Research on resident’s views and inclusion during the development of tourist roues. The case is the Icelandic Arctic Coast Way with emphasis on two of the routes most rural areas, Vatnsnes and Melrakkaslétta.
Project manager: Þórný Barðadóttir [thorny @ rmf.is]
Drive tourism and rural tourist routes
Research on drive tourism and tourist routes in rural areas. The research is directed at tourist travel on the first branded Icelandic tourist route, the Arctic Coast way, North Iceland. The research focus is on two of its most rural areas, Vatnsnes and Melrakkaslétta.
Project manager: Þórný Barðadóttir [thorny @ rmf.is]
The impact of energy production on tourists' experience - Blanda and Þjórsá areas
A research on the impacts of energy production and related infrastructure on tourists' experience at natural sites. The research areas are at the production sites of Blanda and Þjórsá in Iceland.
Project Managers: Íris Hrund Halldórsdóttir [irish @ rnf.is] and Þórný Barðadóttir [thorny @ rmf.is]
We Lead: Women Leadership in Tourism, Leisure & Hospitality
Erasmus+ project aimed at empowering women in tourism and create an inclusive environment that fosters equity and equality
Project Managers: Guðrún Þóra Gunnarsdóttir [gudrunthora@rmf.is] and Vera Vilhjálmsdóttir [verav@rmf.is]
Cruise Tourism in Grímsey Island: an opportunity for development?
A research on the impact and nature of cruise tourism on Grímsey Island with emphasis placed on sustainability and the opportunities cruise tourism has for destination development.
Ása Marta Sveinsdóttir [asamarta@rmf.is] is managing the project together with Guðrún Þóra Gunnarsdóttir and Þórný Barðadóttir.
Sustainable Arctic Cruise Communities: From Practice to Governance
Research on cruise management in Arctic Cruise Communities. A three year long multinational research project funded by the Norwegian Research Council under the auspices of the Norwegian-Russian research fund.
Project managers in Iceland: Ása Marta Sveinsdóttir [asamarta@rmf.is], Guðrún Þóra Gunnarsdóttir [gudrunthora@rmf.is] and Þórný Barðadóttir [thorny@rmf.is]
Arctic Cruise Tourism: Navigating Nature, Commerce and Culture (ACT)
An international research project with the aim to investigate convergent challenges and impacts of cruise tourism on nature, commerce and culture in areas of visits.
Supervision on behalf of ITRC: Guðrún Þóra Gunnarsdóttir [gudrunthora@rmf.is], Þórný Barðadóttir [thorny@rmf.is] and Ása Marta Sveinsdóttir [asamarta@rmf.is]
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Recent research projects
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The impact of new drill holes in the Hverahlíð and Meitlar area
A project focusing on the possible impact of new drill holes in the Hverahlíð II and Meitlar area on tourism and leisure.
Vera Vilhjálmsdóttir [verav@rmf.is] and Guðrún Þóra Gunnarsdóttir [gudrunthora@rmf.is] manage the project.
Residents' attitudes of tourism in Iceland: A national study 2023
A nation-wide study of residents' attitudes towards tourism and tourists in Iceland. The aim of the survey is to assess the attitudes of Icelanders to tourism and tourists at a specific time, both nationally and by individual regions.
Project Manager: Eyrún Jenný Bjarnadóttir [ejb@rmf.is]
Responsible Island Tourism
A research on responsible island tourism on Grímsey and Hrísey Islands with an aim to create a base for a sustainable destination development plan for both islands.
Ása Marta Sveinsdóttir [asamarta@rmf.is] is managing the project together with Guðrún Þóra Gunnarsdóttir.
Tourism in Þeistareykir
In the summer of 2023, ITRC conducted a study of tourism at a geothermal site of Þeistareykir upon request from Landsvirkjun, the National Power Company of Iceland.
Project Manager: Guðrún Þóra Gunnarsdóttir [gudrunthora@rmf.is]
What about tourism? Analysis of the role of the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration in the sustainable development of tourism destinations and travel routes in Iceland
The aim of this study is to analyse the role of the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration when it comes to development of destinations and travel routes in Iceland. Additionally, the decision-making and work process in developing new travel routes will be analysed. Ása Marta Sveinsdóttir [asamarta@rmf.is], Eyrún Jenný Bjarnadóttir [ejb@rmf.is] and Guðrún Þóra Gunnarsdóttir [gudrunthora@rmf.is] will manage the project.
Cruise passenger survey - Reykjavík 2023
Cruise passenger survey in Reykjavík sumarið 2023. The survey was conducted by the ITRC for Faxaflóahafnir (Associated Icelandic Ports) on the initiative of the Icelandic Tourist Board.
Lead by Guðrún Þóra Gunnarsdóttir and Þórný Barðadóttir.
T-CRISIS-NAV - Navigating SMEs in the tourism sector through crisis
An Erasmus+ project which is aimed at helping small and medium sized tourism companies to navigate through crisis.
Supervision on behalf of ITRC is in the hands of Guðrún Þóra Gunnarsdóttir [gudrunthora@rmf.is] together with Íris H. Halldórsdóttir [irish@rmf.is].
The impact of Airbnb hosts on Arctic local communities
Nordregio project which aims to study Airbnb hosts and their contribution to the sustainable destination development and community formation in local communities.
Project management: Guðrún Þóra Gunnarsdóttir [gudrunthora@rmf.is]
Tourism 360 - A Circular Tourism Approach in Arctic Destinations
The purpose of this NPA bridging project was to explore the options and support for circular tourism in the Northern Periphery and Arctic.
Project manager for the ITRC: Guðrún Þóra Gunnarsdóttir [gudrunthora@rmf.is]
Mapping the Beaten Track: Modelling spatiotemporal tourism consumption (MBT)
A project on research on cruise passengers visits on land and creation of an international network on tourism research.
Guðrún Þóra Gunnarsdóttir [gudrunthora@rmf.is], Þórný Barðadóttir [thorny@rmf.is] and Ása Marta Sveindóttir [asamarta@rmf.is] lead the Icelandic part of the project.
OUTPACE: Popular Culture and Tourism
A new European collaborative project about the influences of pop culture and the opportunities that can be harnessed around it at tourist destinations.
Project manager in Iceland: Guðrún Þóra Gunnarsdóttir [gudrunthora@rmf.is]
Exploring domestic tourism in the Nordics
The project focuses on the development that took place in domestic tourism in the Nordic countries since the COVID-19 pandemic hit and explores what the development of domestic tourism could be in the future.
Project manager in Iceland: Eyrún Jenný Bjarnadóttir [ejb@rmf.is]
Visitor survey at destinations of Varða – Sites of Merit
A pilot survey among tourists at four destinations of Varða – Sites of Merit, carried out by ITRC for the Ministry of Culture and Business Affairs.
Project manager: Eyrún Jenný Bjarnadóttir [ejb@rmf.is]
Adaptability and resilience in tourism: How to deal with shocks? How to promote perseverance in the industry
A research project carried out for the Icelandic Tourist Board on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on tourism businesses in Iceland.
Project manager: Íris H. Halldórsdóttir [irish@rmf.is]
Akureyri as a winter destination: The impacts on residents
The main objective of the research project is to explore how residents of Akureyri experience their community as a winter destination and gain insight into their ideas regarding the development of winter tourism.
Project managers: Eyrún Jenný Bjarnadóttir [ejb@rmf.is] and Guðrún Þóra Gunnarsdóttir
Questionnaire for visitors at destinations of Varða - Sites of Merit
Project carried out by the ITRC for the Ministry of Industry and Innovation on a survey among tourists at the destinations of Varða/Sites of Merit.
Project manager: Guðrún Þóra Gunnarsdóttir [gudrunthora@rmf.is]
Relocation of the Ring Road through Mýrdalur
Research conducted on behalf of Vegagerðin - The Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration, on the effects of a proposed relocation of the Ring Road (Highway 1) through Mýrdalur, south Iceland.
Project Manager: Guðrún Þóra Gunnarsdóttir [gudrunthora@rmf.is].
Chinese tourists in Iceland
Research project focusing on the Icelandic tourism industry’s experiences of hosting and interacting with Chinese tourists.
Project manager: Vera Vilhjálmsdóttir [verav@rmf.is]
Residents’ attitudes towards tourists and tourism in the time of COVID-19
A case study of residents’ attitudes towards tourists and tourism in the time of COVID-19. The case study takes place in four communities in Iceland: 101 Reykjavík (city centre), Ísafjörður, Skútustaðahreppur and Höfn in Hornafjörður.
Project manager: Eyrún Jenný Bjarnadóttir [ejb@rmf.is]
Working conditions of foreign citizens employed in tourism related jobs in Iceland
A research project aimed at gaining an overview of what can be done better in the work environment of foreign workers in tourism.
Project management: Iris Hrund Halldórsdóttir, specialist at RMF [irish@rmf.is] and Magnfríður Júlíusdóttir Lecturer in Human Geography, University of Iceland
Survey on travel behaviour and expenditure
Regional survey on foreign tourists' regional travel behaviour and expenditure in four Icelandic destinations: Akureyri, Borgarnes, Höfn and Mývatnssveit.
Project manager: Þórný Barðadóttir [thorny@rmf.is]
Residents' attitudes of tourism in Iceland: A national study 2019
A national study focusing on residents' attitudes of tourist in Iceland.
Project manager: Eyrún Jenný Bjarnadóttir - ejb[at]hi.is.
Market research for Visit North Iceland
A research project conducted for Visit North Iceland that focused on various aspects relating to the marketing of North Iceland and the target markets that visit the area.
Project manager: Elísabet Ögn Jóhannsdóttir [elisabetogn @ unak.is]
Cruise Passenger survey 2019
Cruise passenger survey 2019 conducted among passengers upon departure at the piers on Húsavík and Siglufjörður ports, Northern Iceland.
Project manager: Þórný Barðadóttir [thorny @ rmf.is]
Tourism impact in Icelandic communities
Research focusing on the social sustainability of tourism in Iceland on both national level and in small communities in 2018. Reykjanesbær, Húsavík, Stykkishólmur and Egilsstaðir.
Project management: Eyrún Jenný Bjarnadóttir [ejb @ rmf.is]
Cultural tourism in North Iceland
A research project focusing on what draws tourists to visit history related museums in North Iceland and their experiences in these places.
Project manager: Vera Vilhjálmsdóttir [verav @ rmf.is]
Cruise Passenger Survey 2018
Cruise passenger survey 2018, conducted amongst passengers upon departure from the Port of Akureyri, Northern Iceland.
Project manager: Þórný Barðadóttir [thorny @ rmf.is]
On-land service of Cruise ships
An interview research amongst local and nationwide stakeholders of the Icelandic on-shore cruise service.
Project manager: Þórný Barðadóttir [thorny @ rmf.is]
Suðurnesjalína - Assessing the impact of a new powerline on tourism
This project aims to assess the impact of a new powerline in Reykjanes on tourism and leisure in the area.
Project managers: Vera Vilhjálmsdóttir ITRC [verav @ rmf.is] and Hjalti Jóhannesson RHA [hjalti@unak.is]
Post-trip survey amongst AEY-KEF passengers
A post-trip survey conducted amongst passengers on connecting flights between Akureyri Airport and Keflavik International Airport.
Project manager: Eyrún Jenný Bjarnadóttir [ebj @ rmf.is]
Residents' attidudes of tourism in Iceland: National study
A national study focusing on residents' attitudes of touris in Iceland.
Project management: Eyrún Jenný Bjarnadóttir [ejb@rmf.is]
Tourism and Energy Projects
ITRC has been involved in several research projects examining the impacts of power plants and related infrastructure on nature based tourism.
Contact person: Auður H. Ingólfsdóttir [audur @ unak.is]
Ecomonic effects of tourism in Þingeyjarsýslur
A study exploring the availability of regional statistical data on the tourism industry in Iceland.
Project manager: Lilja Berglind Rögnvaldsdóttir [liljab @ hi.is].
Distribution of tourists around Iceland
The main idea of the project is based on counting vehicles arriving at main tourist destinations in Iceland and computing the number of tourists arriving at the destinations from the number of vehicles.
Contact person: Gyða Þórhallsdóttir [gth85@hi.is]
MICE industry research
A pilot-study with the aim of reviewing MICE industry research
Project manager: Vera Vilhjálmsdóttir [verav @ rmf.is]
Slow Adventures in Northern Territories - SAINT
A joint project between SMEs and Universities in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Ireland and Scotland on increased awareness of SME's on how to capitalize on the business opportunities in guided ‘slow adventure’ experiences.