Visit Iceland, the official tourism information site for the country, has launched a new video through its Iceland Academy online “training course,” which aims to teach tourists the essentials of Iceland and help them get the most of their visit.

The latest humourous video – which teaches visitors about Iceland’s hot tub etiquette – begins with a man who introduces himself as Gudmundur, “head of spa etiquette.” Gudmundur – straight-faced and clad in a tweed jacket, yellow knit cap and bow tie – stands next to a naked man in a shower, who proceeds to demonstrate how to properly get clean in the shower before a visit to an Icelandic hot tub.



“We take hygiene very seriously, and everyone is required to take a shower before entering the pool area,” says Gudmundur.

He then proceeds to point out the key areas to wash – head, armpits, crotch and toes – which his “model” demonstrates, to the tune of the children’s song, “Head, shoulders, knees and toes.”

The video has been garnering a lot of attention on social media, and had been viewed by more than 76,000 people on YouTube at last count.

"With Iceland's appeal as a winter destination increasing and with interest from Europe and North America up by 59 per cent since 2012, we have a responsibility to not only inspire but educate those considering a trip to Iceland, as well as encouraging sustainable travel amongst our visitors,” said Inga Hlín Pálsdóttir, Director, Tourism & Creative Industries at Promote Iceland.

“We believe that if the traveller is better informed of conditions ahead of time, he or she will get more out of the trip and leave the country happier."

This is not the only video for Iceland Academy; other topics include ‘Responsible Traveling in Iceland,’ ‘How to Eat Like an Icelander’ and ‘A Guide to Winter Sports in Iceland.’ Those who watch four videos will ‘graduate’ from Iceland Academy, and have a chance to win a trip to the country.