Businesswoman Carol Glover believes the Isle of Man could learn a lot looking at what is happening in Iceland.

She said one of her visions and hopes for the future of the island was that it had one day overtaken Iceland as the most attractive place in Europe to live, work and be active.

She told the Topical Talks roundtable: ‘Every young person wants to go to Iceland.’

Gary Lamb asked: ‘What is it about Iceland then. I’m not clear why?’

John Coleman said: ‘It is very expensive and very cold too.’

But Mrs Glover said: ‘It’s massively funky and friendly and it has an unbelievable image.

‘It has got a really progressive 42-year-old prime minister. The industry, innovation and tourism minister is a woman of 31 who has had a mega corporate and legal career.’

She said the country had had a crisis but was then re-built out of necessity, and is now viewed as ‘now a most attractive place’.

‘I always cite it as the place for the Isle of Man to emulate,’ she said.

She added: ‘I want the Isle of Man to be like Iceland.

Basil Bielich said: ‘There’s a lot of work to be done if you want to be cool.’

Gary Lamb said Iceland was probably popular because it was becoming more of a stop-off point for travellers flying to America.

Mrs Glover also spoke highly of Seattle and Portland in the USA – all are places that younger people choose to live and work in.

Dr Allinson said the government was looking at ways to encourage young business people here.