Iceland Travel, the country’s premiere Cruise Ground Operator, is taking the “selfie" photo sharing phenomenon to an otherworldly level this summer, combining the island’s unique nature, colorful folklore and a traveler’s playful sense of discovery in what shall forever be known as the #ElfieSelfie.
The creative hashtag is the brainchild of Liz Gammon, Manager of Shore Excursions and Cruise Services at Iceland Travel who explains, “Iceland’s undeniably photogenic environment of glaciers, waterfalls, and steaming geysers is perfectly matched by its distinctive folklore tales of supernatural beings.” Gammon continues, “Bizarre lava formations were explained in folktales as trolls who turned to stone from being caught in the daylight. Along with quirky museums, outdoor statues and tiny elf houses, I think travelers are going to love locating and sharing these sites throughout Iceland’s ports with the #ElfieSelfie.”
Recently Ms. Gammon consulted with local elf experts while developing a cruise industry event and is mindful of respecting the traditional beliefs of folkloric beings known as "hidden people" that have been passed through generations since Viking times. Says Gammon, “We’re not making fun of the elves and don’t recommend visitors do either. These normally harmless creatures are known to become quite vengeful if disrespected.”
The Summer of #ElfieSelfie
While the publishers of Oxford Dictionaries named “selfie” the word of the year and it is the digital fad no one seems able to resist, Gammon says the timing of #ElfieSelfie feels right. “Beginning this summer, travelers to Iceland are encouraged to post photos on Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag #ElfieSelfie for the opportunity to be posted across Iceland Travel’s social media networks.” Gammon finishes by stating, “We’re not expecting anyone to capture a selfie with an actual Icelandic elf, but if they do it’s considered extraordinarily lucky!”