ETC Iceland 2025 – Meeting Schedule

Explore the agenda of sessions and topics for the November 18-21 event in Reykjavík.


Note that the program is subject to change

Tuesday,
November 18


Arrivals




18:00-19:30        Welcome drink at Iceland Parliament Hotel.

Wednesday, november 19*


Board & General meetings


Venue: Blue Lagoon

* Please pack your sneakers and bathing suit

Dagskrá – Dagur 1
08:00 - 09:00
Bus transfer to the Blue Lagoon for the Board of Directors
09:30 - 11:00
ETC Board of Directors #118
10:00 - 11:00
Bus transfer to Blue Lagoon for other participants
11:00 - 11:30
Coffee break
11:30 - 13:00
GM Statutory Obligations - ETC Full Members
13:00 - 14:00
Lunch & family picture
14:15 - 16:30
GM Open discussion incl. Associate members
16:30 - 18:00
A dip in the Blue Lagoon / Visit to Grindavík
18:30 - 22:00
Casual dinner - Ægir Brugghús,
Address: Strandgata 90, 220 Hafnarfjörður

Thursday, november 20


Industry Forum

Tourism and Communities:
Building Bridges Amid Unbalanced Growth


Venue:
Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre - Norðurljós Hall


Dagskrá – Dagur 2
10:00 - 10:30
Opening Remarks
  Moderator: Rajan Datar, BBC Travel
  Minister of Industries: Hanna Katrín Friðriksson
10:30 - 10:50
Resident Sentiment Trends in Europe
  Olivier Henry-Biabaud, TCI Research / MMGY Global
10:55 - 11:40
Oxford-Style Debate: “Tourism Growth Does More Good Than Harm”
  Moderator: Rajan Datar, BBC Travel
  Speakers: Gunnar Þór Jóhannesson, Yvonne Nassar,
  Marina Ferfolja, Andrew van der Feltz
11:45 - 12:10
Fireside Chat: Tourism and Communities in Iceland
  Moderator: Rajan Datar, BBC Travel
  Guest: Arnar Már Ólafsson, Icelandic Tourist Board
12:15 - 13:45
Networking Lunch
14:00 - 14:35
Fireside Chat: Shifting Narratives – Aligning Media, Communities, and Industry
  Moderator: Rajan Datar, BBC Travel
  Guest: Doug Lansky, Travel Writer & Author
14:40 - 15:00
Listening, Funding, Showcasing: Austria’s Balanced Tourism Approach
  Katrin Erben, Austrian National Tourist Board
15:00 - 15:20
Networking Coffee break
15:30 - 15:45
Visit Finland – Selected Routes for Mindful Travellers
  Kristiina Hietasaari, Visit Finland
15:45 - 16:00
Measuring Tourism’s Impact on Citizen Wellbeing
  Jeremie Feinblatt, Resonance
16:05 - 16:15
Signing of the Declaration of Commitment
16:15 - 16:30
Closing Remarks
18:00 - 23:00
Gala dinner – NASA, Independence Hall,
 Address: Thorvaldsenstraeti 2-6
 (next to Iceland Parliament Hotel)

Friday, November 21


Departures

Comfortable Stays Close to the Venue

Rooms for ETC Iceland 2025 are available at the official event hotels. To reserve your accommodation, please visit our dedicated booking page. Early booking is recommended to ensure availability.

Accommodation & Booking

Effortless travel to your meeting destination

Collective transfers will be arranged for the meeting at the Blue Lagoon on November 19th.


The three hotels listed on our accommodation page are all within convenient walking distance of the Harpa Conference Centre, where the meeting on 20 November will take place.

Getting to the Hotel and Venue

Leisure Activities and Local Attractions for ETC Iceland 2025 Attendees


In Reykjavík, visitors can enjoy a diverse selection of activities — from guided city tours and soothing geothermal spas to unforgettable excursions to nearby natural wonders. This combination ensures a perfect balance of cultural discovery and relaxation. Below are a few examples of what awaits you.