“Just eat whale meat on vacation”: the appeal to Italian tourists in Iceland

In Iceland, a campaign aimed at travelers and travelers from all over the world started, with a clear message: avoid consuming whale meat during the holidays. To promote the “For the Love of Iceland” initiative are Humane World for Animals and the local organization Hvalavinir Whale Friends, who invite tourists to choose authentic and respectful experiences of nature, such as Whale Watching excursions at a safe distance.

Every year, in fact, over 2.3 million tourists visit the island, and they are the main consumers of whale meat. On the contrary, less than 2% of the Icelanders’ door to the table. This shows that it is not a local tradition, but rather a tourist proposal built artfully and often presented as a “national specialty”.

Among the most present Italian tourists

The Italians represent about 90,000 arrivals per year and are the seventh group of visitors more numerous in Iceland. Precisely for this reason, the campaign also has a strong impact in Italy, inviting our compatriots to subscribe to the commitment #Fortheloveoficeland, a symbolic but concrete gesture to support the protection of whales.

The initiative cards can be found in the hotel, tourist offices or download online. Just sign the commitment, take a photo during a respectful excursion and share it on social media with official hashtags to actively participate.

A recent and controversial tradition

Contrary to what you think, the whale hunting in Iceland has no ancient roots. The first whale company was born only in 1948. Today the island is, together with Norway and Japan, one of the few countries that still maintains this practice. From 2025 to 2029 licenses were authorized for the killing of over 2,000 specimens, including common whales, especially threatened globally.

Many relationships have highlighted prolonged suffering for animals, in contrast to the same Icelandic laws on animal welfare. For this reason, Icelandic associations and citizens argue that the true culture of the country is not linked to hunting, but to respect and protection of marine fauna.

Responsible tourism and sustainable future

Promoting organizations remind that live whales have an invaluable value, both for the ecosystem and for the tourist economy. Tender excursions, boat trips and photographic tours offer unforgettable emotions without harming animals.

The message is simple: traveling to Iceland means immersing yourself in unique landscapes and meeting the extraordinary Nordic biodiversity. Italian tourists can make the difference by choosing sustainable experiences and helping to protect the giants of the sea.

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