Abstract
This article examines the economic activities of Chinese immigrants in Iceland’s tourism industry in the context of China’s increasing economic influence on Iceland. In the past ten years, tourism has become one of Iceland’s major industries and contributed into Iceland’s economic growth. Chinese tourists rapidly increased in Iceland and occupied the third place among inbound tourists. The service industry for Chinese tourists has generated new demand for workers, proficient in the Chinese language, which eventually triggered the employment of Chinese immigrants in this economic sector. As a consequence, Chinese immigrants have become increasingly engaged in various economic activities by providing services to Chinese tourists. For that purpose, Chinese residents set up travel agencies and got employed as tour guides. At the same time, many local travel agencies began hiring Chinese immigrants. Through various economic activities in the tourism industry, Chinese immigrants have obtained opportunities for upward social mobility. Chinese immigrants have contributed into tourism development in Iceland by actively participating in various economic activities and created new job opportunities in the local labor market which were better than ones of the other tour operators, because they well understand the cultural practices of both China and Iceland. In the context of the tourism development between China and Iceland, the role of Chinese immigrants will be increasing. Therefore, Icelandic society should pay more attention to Chinese immigrants and their potential contribution.
