Iceland Launches Guðmundur 2.0 as it Upgrades the World's First Human Search Engine

REYKJAVIK, Iceland, September 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

  https://youtu.be/1g35x1I_l84

• Inspired By Iceland unveils Guðmundur 2.0, a suite of exciting new features following success of Ask Guðmundur, the world's first human search engine service
• Upgrade will include real-time Guðmundur Hangouts, a series of unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences in Iceland this winter
• Unforgettable experiences include a breathtaking night under the stars camping out on one of Iceland's stunning glaciers and a gastronomical voyage of paradise exploring Reykjavik's award winning food scene
• Further upgrades including Guðmundur Maps and Guðmundur Mobile to launch this month

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150909/264815 )


     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150909/264816 )


     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150909/264817 )

Inspired By Iceland has announced the addition of a host of exciting new features to its unique internet service with a difference, Ask Guðmundur, the world's first human search engine.

Launched today, Guðmundur 2.0, the latest chapter from Inspired by Iceland's year round tourism campaign, will see features including Guðmundur Hangouts, a series of one off, awe-inspiring, real time experiences added to its decidedly Icelandic and truly personable search engine service.

The seven bespoke, once-in-a-lifetime experiences will offer people the exclusive opportunity to hangout with one of Iceland's special Guðmundur regional representatives, first introduced earlier this year as part of the Ask Guðmundurcampaign.  Each will give them a real life, behind the scenes authentic view of the seven regions of Iceland.  The Hangouts, which will take place between the 25th September and the 31st November, will give tourists an insiders view of Iceland through a variety of incredible food, photography, adventure,  culture, film, winter and sustainability based experiences.

Adventurous travellers can enter for their chance to secure a place at one of the seven exclusive events from today, via the Inspired By Iceland website.

Inga Hlín Pálsdóttir, Director, Tourism & Creative Industries at Promote Iceland said, "When we launched Ask Guðmundur, it was decidedly Icelandic and a truly personable service. It was so well received the world over that we decided to upgrade the service. Everyone knows Google Hangouts. And everyone likes to hang out. But it's a lot more fun to hang out in person. 'With Guðmundur Hangouts you get to actually hang out with our Guðmundurs and see Iceland through their eyes."

Along with its new Hangout feature, Guðmundur will also receive a maps upgrade. Guðmundur Maps will provide an online tool for tourists featuring secret places and tips from Icelanders and other visitors from all over the world, as well as new videos and photo content collated from the #AskGuðmundur campaign.

In addition, later this month, Inspired by Iceland will trial its new Guðmundur Mobile feature with a live digital billboard featuring one of the seven regional Guðmundurs, who will answer questions live on the streets of Paris.  

Notes to Editors  

Ask Guðmundur  

In April, Inspired By Iceland launched a unique internet service with a difference; Ask Guðmundur, the world's first human search engine. The service, which aimed to educate tourists about the diversity of Iceland in all seasons and the variety of activities and experiences across the country, invited people from all over the world to ask questions about Iceland via Inspired By Iceland's social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook and YouTube) #AskGuðmundur #IcelandSecret.  Over 1000 questions were asked with answers given via short videos,  tweets and photographs.   The decidedly Icelandic and truly personable service was fronted by representatives from each of Iceland's seven regions who offered their insider knowledge to the world. Each representative shared the name Guðmundur or Guðmunda, currently one of the most popular forenames in the country with over 4,000 men and women claiming it as their own.

Inspired By Iceland  

Inspired by Iceland is a public private partnership between the between the Icelandic government, City of Reykjavik, the Icelandic Travel Industry Association, Landsbankinn, Icelandair and other leading companies in Icelandic tourism. Promote Iceland is the developer and the executive body of the campaign.

For more information please visit:   

Inspired By Iceland http://www.inspiredbyiceland.com

#AskGuðmundur

#Icelandsecret

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/inspiredbyiceland   

Twitter - @icelandinspired  

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/inspiredbyiceland  

Instagram - Inspiredbyiceland  

To plan your trip visit http://www.inspiredbyiceland.com/planyourstay/  

For more secrets and information about the secret tour and its people and places please visithttp://www.inspiredbyiceland.com/blog

Promote Iceland http://www.promoteiceland.is

For media enquiries please contact Laura Hind at The Brooklyn Brothers on +44-2072926200 or email [email protected]

SOURCE Inspired By Iceland