One
of the fastest growing sectors of the travel industry
today is health-related tourism, or Wellness. Physical
training and a healthy diet have long been an important
part of daily life in Western living. We know that
we can prevent various illnesses such as cancer, diabetes
and heart and respiratory ailments by exercising and
eating healthy food. Experts have demonstrated that
a proper diet can reduce the likelihood of contracting
cancer by about 30%.
The health spa industry has become a major sector
of business. Health spas offer various services, such
as body building, exercise classes, meditation and
massage, along with a variety of baths. Other services
often included are beauty treatments, for example
facials, pedicures and hair styling. The number of
people who visit health spas, exercise regularly and
focus on eating healthy food is growing steadily.
Changing world
Despite rapid progress in today’s world, we
face new dangers, new challenges. Modern lifestyles
create various problems such as stress, obesity and
inactivity. Most live in steadily expanding cities
and traveling to and from work takes longer than ever
before. Growing numbers of people take work home and
sit at computer screens instead of relaxing or spending
time with family. We have less and less time, eat
fast foods and travel around in cars. This new lifestyle
is nothing less than dangerous. The increase in car
use and the spread of urban areas result in greater
pollution, in particular air pollution, which is certainly
harmful to our health. Major cities are becoming targets
for terrorists, and the increasing consumption of
illegal substances leads to growing crime rates.
Nature - the great doctor
Native Americans call nature “the great doctor.”
We all know that there is no better place to relax
and get re-energized than in the great outdoors. Peace
and tranquility is necessary for us all, and there
are probably few places anywhere as ideal to relax
while nourishing body and soul than in Iceland, one
of the most sparsely populated countries in the world.
It is a land still being formed, with nature characterized
by the constant struggle and conflict between fire,
ice and water.
An island along the upper reaches of the North Atlantic,
Iceland has virtually no pollution: the air is fresh
and the water crystal clean. The country’s major
resources are rich fishing grounds off the coast,
powerful waterfalls utilized to generate electricity
and enormous quantities of geothermal water and steam.
Thermal energy is used to heat homes and businesses
and to generate electricity, and has a multitude of
uses in agriculture, industry and in the health and
fitness sectors. Because thermal heat is so widely
used, there is all but no air pollution in Iceland,
and has sometimes been affectionately called “white
oil.”
SPA
Iceland
This issue of Good Morning Iceland has only one theme,
SPA Iceland. One of the world’s major experts
in the field of spa treatments and medicine is Dr.
István Fluck from Hungary. Dr. Fluck, who has
often visited Iceland, has said that the entire country
is itself one big SPA. Thermal pools and baths are
found throughout Iceland. Bathing in these outdoor
thermal paradises is extremely healthy: the baths
reduce stress, have many positive affects on muscles,
joints, the heart and respiratory system. Icelandic
nature is very accessible, so it’s an easy matter
indeed to hike in beautiful, untouched landscapes.
The Icelandic horse has drawn considerable attention
worldwide for its riding abilities, and for having
five different gaits, including tölt. It is truly
a wonderful experience riding on horseback in Icelandic
nature, an experience that will most certainly never
be forgotten. Iceland also has some of the world’s
most beautiful and best salmon fishing rivers, in
addition to innumerable lakes that beckon anglers.
Deep-sea fishing off the coast is another popular
pastime, as is ocean kayaking. Golf has been rapidly
growing in popularity over the past few years, and
today there are a surprisingly large number of courses
in relation to the size of the population. During
summer, it is possible to play golf around the clock,
thanks to the Midnight Sun which in mid-summer never
sets.
The nation
Traveling around Iceland is pleasantly leisurable.
Americans have always been very welcome in Iceland,
and most Icelanders speak English. Reykjavík,
the capital, has sometimes been called “the
biggest little capital in the world.” It has
a diverse cultural life, which includes an excellent
symphony orchestra, an opera and museums and galleries.
The city also features a colorful nightlife, and a
wide variety of shopping options including current
fashions from around the world.
Reykjavík is a Spa City with a broad selection
of health spas to fit most needs. The city also boasts
excellent restaurants featuring natural Icelandic
ingredients, ingredients that are naturally clean
and free of pesticides and livestock diseases. And
then there is the coffeehouse culture: places of all
sizes and decors. Finally, since Reykjavík
is a small city it is very easy to navigate by foot.
If you are interested in nourishing body and soul,
enjoy peace and tranquility, and relax in an unusually
beautiful environment, then you should think seriously
about visiting Iceland.
Einar Gustavsson
Director, Icelandic Tourist Board
in New York
