Reykjavik, Iceland – In the heart of Reykjavik, where the winds carry ancient tales and the northern lights dance in ageless beauty, a profound silence fell as the world faced the COVID-19 pandemic. For tour guides at Your Friend In Reykjavik, accustomed to the joy and wonder of sharing Iceland’s rich heritage with travellers, this silence was more than a mere absence of tourists; it was a void filled with uncertainty and introspection.
Valur Heiðar Sævarsson, a proud tour guide and the driving force behind Your Friend In Reykjavik, recounts the quiet days when the streets lay deserted, and the usual buzz of tourism abruptly ended—months of hesitation and doubt shadowed the idea of transitioning to virtual tours, uncharted territory for Valur and his team.
The turning point came when Valur contracted COVID-19 and found himself isolated in a quarantine hotel, far from the comfort of home and the warmth of his family. Through the stark reality of his confinement, with only a window to the outside world and the poignant visits from his two young sons, Valur’s perspective shifted. In the isolation of his quarantine in October, longing to reunite with his family by Christmas, Valur’s resolve strengthened. “What do I have to lose?” he pondered, and thus, a new venture was born.
Valur launched a Facebook event titled “Christmas in Iceland – Online Walking Tour of Reykjavik,” with determination and creativity, inviting the global community to experience a festive journey through the city’s Christmas-lit streets. The event promised tales of the 13 Icelandic Yule lads, the fearsome Troll Grýla, and the ferocious Christmas Cat, creating a family-friendly virtual celebration of Icelandic Christmas traditions.
The response was nothing short of extraordinary. Over 100,000 people tuned in to the live tour, transforming a simple idea into a global phenomenon. This interactive live stream allowed viewers to not only witness the beauty of Reykjavik but also engage with Valur in real time, asking questions and sharing in the joy of Icelandic folklore.
This pioneering virtual tour began a series of successful online events, fostering a vibrant global community passionate about Iceland. The virtual platform that emerged during the pandemic became a cornerstone for Your Friend In Reykjavik, leading to a resurgence in physical tours post-pandemic. The connections forged in those isolated times translated into real-life explorations, with many virtual participants eventually walking the streets they had seen on screen.
As Valur prepares for the fifth annual Christmas livestream this December, he reflects on the journey from silence to success. “Guiding through a pandemic taught us that sometimes, the most incredible journeys begin with a single click,” he muses. The innovative approach sustained the business through challenging times and enriched it, creating lasting bonds with a global audience.
This story is a part of the 100 Stories from Iceland.
For more information, contact Valur Heiðar Sævarsson, CEO & Founder
Your Friend In Reykjavik
T: +354 655 4040 | M: +354 617 7883
yfir@yourfriendinreykjavik.com
www.yourfriendinreykjavik.com
About Your Friend In Reykjavik: Your Friend In Reykjavik is dedicated to providing exceptional tours led by expert local guides, most of whom are graduates of Iceland’s prestigious tour guide school. Our mission is to offer unforgettable city walking tours, blending rich cultural insights with personal touches, ensuring every visitor has a remarkable experience in Iceland. Join us and let’s explore Reykjavik together!
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