The tourism boom is straining local resources and the capacity of public infrastructure in South Iceland, experts warn. The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service RÚV reports that growing numbers of tourist are for example stretching the capacity of the emergency health care services and paramedics to the breaking point.
Read more: Growing numbers of foreign travelers adding to the strain on hospitals
The emergency room in the hospital in the town of Selfoss in South Iceland cannot handle any further increase in the number of patients doctors tell RÚV. March of this year saw 43% more visits to the emergency room than the same month last year, an increase which is straining the ability of the staff, according to the manager of the emergency room. At the same time the hospital has been facing budget cuts which have made the situation more serious.
The strain on paramedics and first responders in South Iceland is also growing. According to RÚV the number of calls responded to by ambulances in South Iceland has grown by 46% since 2011. Police in South Iceland is similarly stretched to the breaking point.
Read more: The Westfjords: A limitless supply of space and quiet
South Iceland has some of the best known tourist attractions of Iceland, including the black sand beaches around Vík, the “golden circle”, Seljalandsfoss waterfall and Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon. Several foreign celebrities who have visited Iceland have taken to South Iceland, including the Canadian pop star Justin Bieber and the American reality TV star Kim Kardashian and her husband Kanye West. Some foreign visitors have even complained over the number of tourists at several destinations in South Iceland.
However, at the same time as South Iceland is experiencing problems dealing with the growing tourism, other parts of Iceland, including West Iceland and the Westfjords, are being ignored by foreign visitors. If you are looking to experience the best Iceland has to offer, we at Iceland Insider would therefore encourage you to look beyond the most popular destinations!
The tourism boom is straining local resources and the capacity of public infrastructure in South Iceland, experts warn. The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service RÚV reports that growing numbers of tourist are for example stretching the capacity of the emergency health care services and paramedics to the breaking point.
Read more: Growing numbers of foreign travelers adding to the strain on hospitals
The emergency room in the hospital in the town of Selfoss in South Iceland cannot handle any further increase in the number of patients doctors tell RÚV. March of this year saw 43% more visits to the emergency room than the same month last year, an increase which is straining the ability of the staff, according to the manager of the emergency room. At the same time the hospital has been facing budget cuts which have made the situation more serious.
The strain on paramedics and first responders in South Iceland is also growing. According to RÚV the number of calls responded to by ambulances in South Iceland has grown by 46% since 2011. Police in South Iceland is similarly stretched to the breaking point.
Read more: The Westfjords: A limitless supply of space and quiet
South Iceland has some of the best known tourist attractions of Iceland, including the black sand beaches around Vík, the “golden circle”, Seljalandsfoss waterfall and Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon. Several foreign celebrities who have visited Iceland have taken to South Iceland, including the Canadian pop star Justin Bieber and the American reality TV star Kim Kardashian and her husband Kanye West. Some foreign visitors have even complained over the number of tourists at several destinations in South Iceland.
However, at the same time as South Iceland is experiencing problems dealing with the growing tourism, other parts of Iceland, including West Iceland and the Westfjords, are being ignored by foreign visitors. If you are looking to experience the best Iceland has to offer, we at Iceland Insider would therefore encourage you to look beyond the most popular destinations!
