ECO-PRENEURING

Blue Lagoon’s mission is to create
energy for life through forces of nature.

JOINT MARKETING PROGRAM FOR TOURISM & BUSINESS

Iceland Naturally is a joint marketing program among tourism and business interests developed to increase demand for Icelandic products including frozen seafood, bottled water, agriculture and tourism, in North America. The program combines efforts of the New York offices of the Icelandic Tourist Board and the Icelandic Foreign Service OBS (Overseas Business Services) with eight leading companies: Icelandic USA, Icelandair, Icelandic Agriculture, Iceland Spring Natural Water, 66North, Blue Lagoon, Leifur Eiriksson Air Terminal, Glitnir and Reyka Vodka. The Iceland Naturally brand represents the essence of Iceland: its purity and unspoiled natural environment.

Iceland Naturally promotes the purity products from Iceland and encourages travel to this Ohio-sized island country of 300,000 people. Iceland is one of the richest and most technologically advanced countries in the world.

The marketing venture includes advertising in leading travel and lifestyle publications, a website, bi-monthly e-mail newsletters, sweepstakes and other promotions. The Iceland Naturally website is rich with links to many different Icelandic organizations, providing visitors with an online window to the land, the people and the culture.

Outdoor enthusiasts and adventure travelers are among the many audiences targeted by the marketing effort of Iceland Naturally. With unspoiled natural wonders, including spectacular glaciers and steaming geysers, the country is a magnet for those with a passion for the outdoors. The Iceland Naturally campaign promotes recreational activities such as mountain biking, hiking, fishing and horseback riding.
Those who register will also receive information about Icelandic events taking place in North America and Iceland. The information obtained through your registration will not be sold or distributed in any way to a third party. For more info, visit www.icelandnaturally.com to learn more about the visionary and innovative people of Iceland.

Our Eco-Preneuring column seeks to highlight ecologically aware companies that are changing the world with their forward-looking products and services. On a recent trip to Iceland we visited the visionary and innovative Blue Lagoon. The spa, medical treatment center and the line of natural skin care products, are all parts of this eco-friendly enterprise that blends science and nature in perfect harmony. Blue Lagoon, a member of IcelandNaturally.com, is yet another demonstration of Iceland’s ingenuity.

The Blue Lagoon was founded in 1992. The company specializes in the development of products and services based on Blue Lagoon geothermal seawater active ingredients or proximity to the geothermal seawater and its raw natural surroundings. The company owns and operates Blue Lagoon. Blue Lagoon is world renowned for its treatment of psoriasis. The company also markets a successful line of Blue Lagoon skin care products.

This amazing place is one of Iceland’s most well-known and popular attractions. Many guests represent visitors from all over the globe, from nearby Northern Europe to Thailand and the United States.

Guests energize in a natural geothermal seawater known for healing power and active ingredients, minerals, silica and algae. The lagoon holds six million liters of water, all of which is renewed in 40 hours. In addition to relaxing in the lagoon, guests have access to steambaths and sauna. In-water massage and spa treatments are also available. In 2005, the readers of Conde Nast Traveler voted Blue Lagoon as the Best Medical and Thermal Spa.

The Blue Lagoon geothermal seawater is part of an eco-cycle where science and nature work in harmony with Iceland’s extreme environment to bring us geothermal seawater, a natural, replenishable source. This mineral-rich geothermal seawater originates 2000 meters beneath the ground, where it’s heated by the earth’s natural forces. As it travels upwards through porous lava, a blend of sea and fresh water undergoes mineral exchange.

Near the surface, concentration occurs, due to vaporization, evaporation and finally, sedimentation. The Blue Lagoon’s operation is based on the properties of the geothermal seawater, the closed eco-cycle to which it belongs, and represents an exceptional relationship between nature and science.

Sufferers of psoriasis visit Blue Lagoon to experience the medicinal benefits of the geothermal waters. The Icelandic Ministry of Health has recognized Blue Lagoon psoriasis treatment, and the Icelandic Social Insurance reimburses the treatment cost for Icelandic patients.

The incredible Blue Lagoon is located in a unique setting and surrounded by a lava field formed in 1226. When building the facilities it was important to protect the environment and have the architecture blend with the natural surroundings.

The head designer of the facilities is Sigriour Sigborsdottir, VA Arkitektar (www.va.is). The wood used to build the facilities is Jatoba from Brazil. The lava wall of the building is made of 64,000 lava bricks and took five months to build. The facilities accommodate changing and shower rooms, a restaurant, a conference room and offices.

For info on Blue Lagoon products, services, research and the Energy Program for Everyday Skin Care, visit www.bluelagoon.com