Overtourism in Iceland

It may seem as though Iceland has been on the traveller's radar for decades, but in fact this island nation has only become a hotspot for tourists comparatively recently. In 2010, Iceland received fewer than half a million tourists, but according to the Icelandic Tourist Board, almost 2.2 million people came in 2017, an increase of half a million in a single year. Tourist numbers are predicted to grow to 2.5 million in 2018, according to Iceland Monitor. It's a huge number, and all the more shocking when you discover that the population of Iceland is only 334,252. That means the total number of visitors in 2017 was more than six times the number of people living there.

Another cause of Iceland’s overtourism is its accessibility for independent travellers – just book an Airbnb, bag a cheap flight, hire a car and you’re off – but one of the easiest ways to swerve the issue of overtourism and travel responsibly is to join an organised tour. Tours take you off the beaten path, avoiding tourism honey pots and revealing a quiet, unspoiled side of the island. Small group tours bring environmental benefits, too. You’ll travel in a single vehicle, rather than contributing to the hire cars on the roads, and can travel safely during off peak seasons, when an experienced local driver can confidently navigate tricky road and weather conditions. Small group holidays also open up the chance to hike, cycle, snowshoe and cruise by small ship, with an expert guide leading you, experiencing the island in a way that many independent travellers never do. This style of travel maximises the positive impacts of your visit and minimises the negative ones. It also benefits you, as you enjoy Iceland at its best, experiencing its unique beauty without the crowds.

You can read more about the benefits of choosing a tour to Iceland here.

Overtourism’s affects are far reaching. While Iceland’s tourism key players were busy marketing the country to dig them out of the economic depression, little thought was given to the country’s infrastructure. Now, Iceland’s roads are deteriorating under the volume of tour buses and hire cars that use them each day.

Facilities at key attractions are struggling to cope, too. The Iceland Monitor reported in 2015 that tourists were defecating and urinating outside at major sites, because public toilets were overcrowded and poorly maintained. Interestingly, it also reported that local people feel this links back to Iceland’s open door policy on tourism. It’s been marketed as a country where you don’t have to pay for anything – including the toilets. Consequently, at the main café at Gullfoss, where a fee is charged to use the toilets, some tourists refuse and go outside. This in turn makes it harder for the café to find funds to maintain the already overused facilities, and cleanliness standards drop, so all tourists suffer.