Your Questions Answered

As the first tour operator in the world to offer a whale watching holiday in Iceland’s northern town of Husavik back in 1993, we have consistently offered similar holidays throughout our history, with Iceland now considered one of the top whale watching destinations in the world. Proof of the growth in Iceland’s whale tourism comes directly from the Icelandic Whale Watching Association (icewhale.is) who have confirmed that by the end of 2006, almost 90,000 people would have taken part in whale watching activities in Iceland. This compares to just 2,200 in 1995.

As a key contributor in the campaign to establish Iceland as the whale watching destination in Europe, if not the world, Discover the World have set out our views in this statement. If you have any questions or concerns on this issue then please feel free to post them here for us to answer so other interested members of the public may see them too.

Discover the World
20 October 2006

Comments

[Alexis Thornely]

For anyone travelling to Iceland and going whale watching, you may well be wondering whether you will encounter a whaling vessel undertaking its task. Historically, whaling and whale watching activities are mutually exclusive, taking place away from eachother. This experience means that the likelihood that you will encounter any activity of this nature whilst enjoying the stunning wildlfe and landscapes of Iceland is very small.

If you have any other comments or questions then please feel free to post them. Kind regards, Alexis - Discover the World.

[Kristrún Konráðsdóttir]

“Seatours, like all the other whale watching companies in Iceland, strongly oppose the recent decision to resume commercial whaling in Iceland. Seatours has lobbied against whaling and will continue to do so until the whaling is stopped. We believe that the whaling is unnecessary and could have serious impacts on tourism as well as other products exported from Iceland. Even though the whaling takes place away from the whale watching areas it damages Iceland’s image as a nature destination.”

Kristrún Konráðsdóttir

Marketing manager of Seatours - a whale watching company in the west of Iceland (www.seatours.is)

[sharon and dave taylor]

We married in Iceland in 2005 on Langjokull glacier organised for us by Discover the world. Our main reason for choosing Iceland was because we wanted to see a Blue or Fin whale. We had a wonderful holiday organised and helped by discover the world staff especially Sigga!
How heartbroken we are theirfore that Iceland have resumed commercial whaling. We had told all our friends to go and visit Iceland to see the whales as well as the wonderful scenery but how can we do that now?

[Georgina Hancock]

Thank you for your touching comment, we’re delighted that you so enjoyed your wedding in Iceland. We understand your predicament and we too strongly disagree with the Icelandic government’s decision. However at this time, it is even more important to visit Iceland and show those who wish to resume commercial whaling why the conservation of whales is important to the country's economy, through whale watching. We will continue to oppose whaling, in public and in consultations with the Icelandic government. We hope that you can see the logic in not isolating this beautiful country at this sensitive time.

[Derek Rees]

I have an interest in whale watching, birding and volcanos. Each year I travel with my family to Hawaii to see the migration of breeding humpbacks in the marine conservation area off Maui. I would dearly love to see such natural phenomenon closer to home, and more often at that. While accepting that the actions of the Icelandic government are not condoned by all inhabitants, and that the whale watching industry could pull in so much more overseas income than that raised by the killing, I can not sanction travelling to a country that allows the slaughter to happen. Please do put my views forward to those with the power to change things in the hope that your case is strengthened.
What a pity governmental action has made Iceland a no-go area.

[Andrew]

Hi there,

I work for Greenpeace, and the best way for people to help is to sign the Icelandic Pledge.

This pledge simply says you would be willing to visit Iceland, but only AFTER they stop whaling.

Over 70,000 people have signed this pledge. It is a great way to support Icelandic voices against whaling...

http://oceans.greenpeace.org/en/stop-icelandic-whaling

[mr.s.morritt]

hi would just like to say i was against booking a holiday to iceland because of the whaling that had been introduced.as you do not support it and it has been suspended we have gone ahead and booked a holiday with you.i dont know if we will get whale watching but if we do i hope not to see any whaling.i know there are reasons for it but it is something i would not support.keep up the good work.