Iceland Invites Travellers to Outhorse Their Emails and Gallop-vant Around its Country

Today, Iceland is saying nay to work emails while on holiday as it launches its world-first OutHorse Your Email service, encouraging travellers to switch off and take an uninterrupted trip, letting the hooves do the talking. 

A recent global study by Visit Iceland found that two fifths (41%) of people globally check their work emails between one and four times a day when on holiday, while one in 10 (14%) review them five-six times every day. To encourage workers to disconnect and experience the country’s breathtaking surroundings distraction free, Iceland is launching its OutHorse Your Email service, a world-first email response system which sees its unique breed of horses take centre stage.

Due to the pandemic, over the last few years many workers have transitioned to remote working, finding that the lines between their work and personal lives have become blurred. The research by Visit Iceland revealed that three fifths (59%) of people globally now feel as if their boss, colleagues and clients expect them to reply when on holiday, while less than half (44%) of workers actually feel rested after their trip. A further one in 10 (15%) have even cancelled or postponed their holiday plans altogether due to work. That’s why Iceland is outhorsing workers’ emails to its horses, asking them to trot out replies, so they don’t have to.

Using a large keyboard mat, Iceland’s OutHorse Your Email service sees the gaited horses walk, trot, canter, tölt and pace their way across the fields as they take on the role of out of office. From þþnjifai=’.,,lmbmbnbbhgycdrgzw/’pfæ ndaiFVxhðut7r7r7djsmfdsm to þnjifai\’/.p,oii9unnbhvggyvgjhbjm,kfæ,.iklp–jpomohu o/’k;,i,mumnf, travellers can request to get their very own emails written by Icelandic horses, so that they can go gallop-vanting around the country undisturbed.

And with much of the world ready to explore again after two years of restrictions, a third (33%) of people believe that since the pandemic taking a holiday has become even more important, while two fifths (41%) admit they feel more prepared and ready to tackle work once they have properly relaxed. When asked about their ideal trip, almost half (44%) are interested in exploring different locations and two fifths (43%) want to visit places that allow them time to have headspace.

Sigríður Dögg Guðmundsdóttir, head of Visit Iceland said: “When visitors travel to Iceland we want them to fully experience everything our nation has to offer, from breath taking surroundings to endless landscapes and friendly faces. Our OutHorse Your Email service lets them do just that, taking away the pressure of feeling as if they have to be always on and instead allowing them to be present throughout their trip. With our world-first service we hope to encourage people to disconnect and take a well-deserved, uninterrupted break”.

Jelena Ohm, project manager of Horses of Iceland said: “Our talented horses took naturally to the OutHorse Your Email service, tölting and galloping their way across the fields and creating a range of unique emails that will help holidaymakers enjoy their trip without any interruptions. From curiosity, intelligence and independence, our horses are special for many reasons, and so now we can add email responders too”. 

So, don’t be foal-ish, enjoy a distraction free trip to Iceland and remember, if you do receive work emails while on holiday, Iceland’s horses have you covered. 

Go to the Iceland OutHorse Your Email website to find out more: here, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.