A local TV presenter, Lára Ómarsdóttir, and the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service RÚV have come under heavy criticism after Lára revealed a hidden pearl of the Southern Central Highlands on her TV Show Ferðastiklur on Sunday night. Many fear that by showing photographs of the place or mentioning its existence Lára and RÚV have endangered it, since the fragile vegetation in the area would not survive large groups of hikers, let alone throngs of visitors which can be expected if the place became a mass-tourism destination.
The local newspaper Stundin reports on the intense debate which has erupted among Icelandic tour-guides, conservationists and nature lovers over the TV show: On the one hand are those who believe fragile natural pearls, like the headwaters of the river Rauðufossakvíslar, should be kept secret. On the other are those who believe it is impossible to keep all natural pearls secret, and that Icelandic nature should not only be there for a select few to enjoy.
Árni Tryggvason, tour guide, who posted the above picture of the place in question to the Facebook group Bakland ferðaþjónustunnar, which is dedicated to conversations about the tourism industry in Iceland, pointed out that many of the most spectacular places in Iceland are located in areas which are too fragile to survive heavy traffic, raising the question whether there were not areas which should either be closed off, requiring special permits to visit, or whether tour guides should not band together to ensure that they were not trampled down by throngs of visitors.
Others have pointed out that the place in question is far from any road, requiring a hour long hike, which should hopefully reduce the danger of destruction.
We at Iceland Insider would like to stress that visitors show the utmost care when travelling in Icelandic nature. Don't venture off the path, don't litter, and be mindful that the vegetation is extremely fragile: Wounds in the vegetation and landscape, caused by careless hikers and travellers can take decades to heal!
A local TV presenter, Lára Ómarsdóttir, and the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service RÚV have come under heavy criticism after Lára revealed a hidden pearl of the Southern Central Highlands on her TV Show Ferðastiklur on Sunday night. Many fear that by showing photographs of the place or mentioning its existence Lára and RÚV have endangered it, since the fragile vegetation in the area would not survive large groups of hikers, let alone throngs of visitors which can be expected if the place became a mass-tourism destination.
The local newspaper Stundin reports on the intense debate which has erupted among Icelandic tour-guides, conservationists and nature lovers over the TV show: On the one hand are those who believe fragile natural pearls, like the headwaters of the river Rauðufossakvíslar, should be kept secret. On the other are those who believe it is impossible to keep all natural pearls secret, and that Icelandic nature should not only be there for a select few to enjoy.
Árni Tryggvason, tour guide, who posted the above picture of the place in question to the Facebook group Bakland ferðaþjónustunnar, which is dedicated to conversations about the tourism industry in Iceland, pointed out that many of the most spectacular places in Iceland are located in areas which are too fragile to survive heavy traffic, raising the question whether there were not areas which should either be closed off, requiring special permits to visit, or whether tour guides should not band together to ensure that they were not trampled down by throngs of visitors.
Others have pointed out that the place in question is far from any road, requiring a hour long hike, which should hopefully reduce the danger of destruction.
We at Iceland Insider would like to stress that visitors show the utmost care when travelling in Icelandic nature. Don't venture off the path, don't litter, and be mindful that the vegetation is extremely fragile: Wounds in the vegetation and landscape, caused by careless hikers and travellers can take decades to heal!
