(2 Aug 2013)
AP Television
Grindavik, Iceland - 30 May 2013
1. Wide of men applying skin cream in Blue Lagoon.
2. Close of man applying cream.
3. Wide of Blue Lagoon.
4. Wide of older woman climbing into Blue Lagoon
5. Close of older woman swimming in lagoon.
6. Wide of Blue Lagoon.
7. Wide of two men laying on their backs in the water.
8. Wide of Blue Lagoon.
9. Wide of people in water.
10. Wide of entrance to Blue Lagoon.
11. Mid of Blue Lagoon sign
12. SOUNDBITE (English), Magnea Gudmundsdottir, Blue Lagoon director of communications:
"We see an increase in the number of visitors who are maybe from the destinations that we have direct flights to. And then the summer is our busier season, but the winter and colder seasons - these are also catching on as Iceland is becoming a more popular destination all year around."
13. Wide of restricted part of Blue Lagoon without any bathers.
14. Mid of rock and water.
15. Wide of people walking through the lagoon.
16. Mid of rock in lagoon.
17. Wide of people walking through lagoon.
18. Wide of lagoon and rocks.
19. SOUNDBITE (English), Magnea Gudmundsdottir, Blue Lagoon director of communications:
"It is completely unique. It is, according to National Geographic, it is one of the 25 wonders of the world. And, water with these components has not been found anywhere else."
20. POV shot of walking and diving into Blue Lagoon using waterproof camera.
21. Wide of people swimming in Blue Lagoon.
22. Wide of man climbing into water.
23. SOUNDBITE (English) Magnea Gudmundsdottir, Blue Lagoon director of communications
"Nature is taking care of it. We take regular sampling of the water. We also have something called a Blue Flag which is granted to clean beaches and marinas and we had that for more than 10 years now. And we are allowed to flag it year around. And, because of the composition of the water there is no need for artificial cleansers like chlorine."
24. POV shot of wading through lagoon using waterproof camera.
25. Mid of woman drinking beer with others in the lagoon.
26. Wide of people swimming by lagoon bar.
27. Mid of bartender pouring beer.
28. Mid of two women drinking beer while bathing.
27. Mid of two men in bathing in the lagoon.
28. Wide of Blue Lagoon.
LEADIN
With double-digit increases in tourism over the last few years, Iceland's arguably most famous tourist attraction is getting record levels of visitors.
In 2012, over five hundred and eight five thousand people visited the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa located in the lava fields of Grindavik.
STORYLINE:
The Blue Lagoon is arguably one of the most famous tourist sites in Iceland, a country not devoid of breathtaking scenery, dramatic waterfalls and fire-breathing volcanoes.
When the Icelandic Tourism office asked international guests what the most memorable part of their visit to Iceland was, around 35 percent of winter guests and 19 percent of summer ones said the Blue Lagoon, far ahead of natural landscapes, hot springs and the world famous northern lights.
And with international tourism increasing in Iceland each year, the Blue Lagoon is reaching record numbers of visitors.
In 2012, over five hundred and eighty five thousand people visited the Lagoon, a record number and a 27 percent increase compared to the previous year.
This for a country with a population of just over three hundred and twenty thousand people.
The draw is easy to understand.
The blue waters maintain a natural temperature of about 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 F) all year round.
The Blue Lagoon may look like a natural wonder, but it is entirely manmade.
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