A popular holiday destination wants to boost tourism again despite the corona pandemic - but initially only with travelers who can leave a lot of money behind.
The tourism industry * has suffered enormously since the beginning of the corona pandemic.
And countries in particular, whose income comes primarily from this branch of the economy, have to get creative in order to make safe - and also profitable - travel possible.
Iceland came up with something very special.
Entry despite Corona: Iceland tourists have to earn a lot of money
Before the pandemic, income from tourism made up 42 percent of the Icelandic economy, according to the online portal Skift.
Now the Land of Fire and Ice is offering
foreign nationals
who work remotely for a company or who are self-employed a long-term
visa
that allows them to
stay in Iceland
for
up to six months
.
In order to be approved for the extended stay, the person concerned must “provide evidence of an employment relationship with a foreign company (or proof of self-employment in which they have a permanent residence) and meet the income and health insurance requirements,” it says on the website “ Work in Iceland ”.
And the income requirements are enormous - according to Bloomberg, the people concerned have to
earn
one million Icelandic kronor
a month (the equivalent of around 6,200 euros a month).
This results in an
annual salary of around 74,500 euros
.
Also interesting
: this holiday country will probably only allow tourists again in a year - with one exception.
Corona times in Iceland: why are only high-earning tourists allowed?
"I think it's about
attracting high-income
professionals from Silicon Valley or San Francisco
so that they can spend their money here instead of there," said the Icelandic politician Asta Gudrun Helgadottir about the new regulations.
The measure seems to be tailored precisely to this target group.
Even if guests aren't strictly tourists, there is hope that they will boost the economy by
taking advantage of unused Airbnbs, filling empty restaurants, and exploring the great outdoors on weekends
.
According to the Bloomberg report, locals also assume that this measure should generate income
without attracting large crowds
- and without burdening the health system.
There is currently a
14-day quarantine
requirement when entering Iceland
, which can be shortened by a negative corona test upon arrival.
However, this has to be paid for yourself and costs around 58 euros.
(fk) * Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editorial network.
Also read
: This island is only allowed to visit those who have already had the corona virus.
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