Visit Iceland's Space Billboard Encourages Space Tourists to Trip Closer to Home

Today, Mission Iceland takes off as Iceland blasts its first ever space billboard encouraging space tourists to consider Iceland as a viable alternative, and soak up incredible earthbound wonders without the need to launch themselves into the stratosphere. As space tourism continues to rocket with galactic travellers attempting (and to date, failing) to take off, Iceland has a message to share to all budding space tourists: Iceland. Better Than Space.

A global study by Visit Iceland found two fifths of the planet’s population (39%) believes that Iceland offers scenery better than they ever imagine experiencing in space. So, Iceland is publicly inviting all aspiring space tourists to visit the country instead for a fraction of the cost and carbon footprint; with unlimited oxygen, fresh food and maybe even a geothermal spa or two.

It has also been revealed that six out of ten people globally believe that the landscape of Mars will have red rocks (60%), volcanoes (21%) and black sand (15%) – all of which can be found in Iceland, so by visiting the Nordic country, you can save yourself the 638-million-kilometre round-trip journey to Mars, too. 

As people across the globe (im)patiently wait to take a trip outer space, Iceland has taken that one small step ahead of them by launching a space billboard* into the stratosphere. The space billboard itself might be small, but its message is big; take part in terrestrial travel and discover breath taking surroundings and endless landscapes that are out of this world… but actually in this world. 

And with such beauty right here on our very own planet, many believe the focus should be on helping our planet instead of space travel. When asked about their opinions on space travel, half the globe (56%) believe space tourism is not as important as investing in our own planet, while over one in eight say space travel is a waste of natural resources and money.

Sigríður Dögg Guðmundsdóttir, head of Visit Iceland said, “Our message is simple: you don’t need to leave earth to have an experience that is out of this world. There are otherworldly adventures to be found right here in Iceland, where you can enjoy the same lunar landscapes that NASA astronauts used as a training ground before the inaugural spacewalk. 

We know there is likely frustration amongst aspiring space travellers who have had their trips delayed and don’t yet know when they will make it to outer space. That is why we are encouraging them to take a trip much closer to home instead and for a fraction of the price, and the carbon footprint.

By targeting this specific audience and launching a billboard into space, we hope to encourage people to consider the big picture and see that the real value in travel is in the interactions you create with other people, and that, you know, unlimited oxygen supplies should really factor into your decision”.

On the concept behind the piece, SS+K's executive creative director, Stevie Archer said, "To work on a continuous journey with Visit Iceland has been an incredible experience. Their appreciation for humour allowed us to hone our satirical muscle in various ways for each specific campaign. We get to rib current culture, by poking fun at Space tourism, and having a point of view on current trends happening in the world opens up our creativity in so many ways."

Lenny Stern, co-founder and partner co-chairman, M&C Saatchi US, "Iceland is an exciting partner for us because it gives us the perfect opportunity to produce research backed information in a very clever and unexpected way. Mission Iceland is another extension of their singular send up of today's current events."

So, before lift-off, take T-Minus 10 to consider a detour somewhere a little closer to home, yet altogether out of this world. Because Iceland is a lot like space, but better.