One of Iceland's Most Beautiful Places Is Now Closed to Tourists
One of Iceland's biggest tourist attractions has temporarily closed to visitors — and Justin Bieber may be at least partially to blame.
Remember that time Justin Bieber filmed a music video for his song "I'll Show You" in Iceland? Frolicking through the fields of lava rock and moss may have looked really cool on film in 2015, but it's not so great for the actual environment.
The Environmental Agency of Iceland just shared that Fjaðrárgljúfur, a very popular canyon region in the south featured in Bieber's video, will be closed until June to repair damage caused in part by the influx of tourists.
To be fair to Bieber, Fjaðrárgljúfur didn't need to be featured in the young pop star's music video to give everyone a case of wanderlust: It's been a highly visited area for a long time. And though the music video's success (more than 440 million views) has certainly advanced the canyon's popularity, it's not the only reason Fjaðrárgljúfur needs a break.
According to CNN Travel, the canyon was previously shut down in 2018 to repair weather-related damage.
As the snow and ice begins to melt rapidly in the springtime, there's extra wear and tear in the area, given its delicate geology. And keeping an area like this open poses a major safety risk.
With Iceland (and, specifically, the Fjaðrárgljúfur region) being such a hiking hot spot, any deteriorating conditions need to be swiftly addressed. In an interview with CNN Travel, Inga Hlín Pálsdóttir — director of Visit Iceland and Creative Industries at Promote Iceland — shared some insight behind the closure.
"It's just a natural wonder that wasn't meant to be that popular," she said. "We need to build a better infrastructure there so we can invite people all year round. We need paths that can be discovered all year round. It's not only because of nature, it's a safety issue."
Other tourist-heavy attractions and destinations such as the Amalfi Coast, Machu Picchu and even the newly opened Hudson Yards in New York City have resorted to selling tickets or mandating timed entry. And introducing a system like this at Fjaðrárgljúfur would certainly take away from the sense of untamed wilderness that makes Iceland so incredibly special.
Across the island nation, many systems have already been established to help maintain (and protect) popular attractions. Five years ago, for example, parking was free to travelers visiting the famous Seljalandsfoss waterfall. But if you've visited in the past two years, you'll have noticed a mandatory fee for anyone parking in the lot. That money goes straight to maintaining the waterfall, but with the new fee came a kiosk for purchasing parking passes. Shortly after, a food stand followed. Now, there's even a souvenir stand.
When a new system is implemented, it's common for additional infrastructure to follow. But few would argue that it detracts from the remoteness that sells so many people on the destination in the first place. So, will travelers visiting Fjaðrárgljúfur this summer be charged an entry fee, or be forced to walk through a gift shop selling posters of Bieber log-rolling through the canyon? And if we can't be custodians of these stunning landscapes, should we be allowed to visit at all?
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.