Reykjavík Grapevine - 08.04.2016, Síða 4

I recently returned to Iceland after a
year’s absence. In the past I did some
consulting with the Gymnastics Fed-
eration and some of the gymnastics
clubs (Grótta Fimleikadeild in Selt-
jarnarnes and Fylkir fimleikahús
Norðlingaholt).
I have loved every minute in Ice-
land and truthfully may try to move
there if TRUMP is elected here!
This last trip there were so many
tourists! It was actually hard for me to
practice my limited Icelandic. Walk-
ing down Laugavegur I rarely heard
any Icelandic. In Kaffitár I may have
been at the only Icelandic speaking ta-
ble. (Truthfully only three people spoke
Icelandic—I struggled to keep up.)
All this tourism must be great for
the economy but puts a huge strain on
the beautiful natural resources. This
trip for me was mostly a holiday. I
had a small meeting at Fylkir. I had a
friend with me and I was anxious to
show him around. I was ashamed to
be American when I saw how some
other tourists treated the land.
I believe that Iceland should im-
pose a small fee to visitors. Much like
is done through much of the Carib-
bean. $20-$40 US or equivalent per
visitor would add a good amount of
cash to pay for infrastructure, park
attendants (to keep people on paths
and from doing other stupid things),
etc. This fee would not be so much as
to keep anyone from visiting.
Just wanted to voice my opinion on
a country and landscape I love.
– Tony Retrosi
Thanks for your concern, Tony. Ice-
landers are just as guilty as tourists of
the mistreatment of nature. For years,
Icelanders tossed rocks and soap into
Geysir to set it off. Monetizing nature
sounds like a good revenue stream, but
when have people respected some-
thing they’ve paid for? Have you ever
rented a car?
– The Grapevine

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The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 4 — 2016
4
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