Today we visited Skogafoss which is a massive waterfall. It was a beautiful sight but crowded with people. I really noticed how much Iceland relies on tourism as a huge part of their economy. Our tour guide said that tourism is their number one industry in Iceland. This makes sense, Iceland is a bucket list destination for millions of people, and rightfully so. This country is uniquely beautiful, and I have seen countless breathtaking sights in only four days.
But all this tourism can quickly have a negative effect on this environment that attracts so many people. People leaving designated trails can not only be dangerous but destroys wildlife that has been growing undisturbed for who knows how long. Some people try to take things from sacred sights or touch wildlife that should not be messed with. All these things are reasons why tourists should be aware and informed before going to a new country. We need to practice sustainable tourism. Leave with everything you came with, even trash leaves with you. When I go camping to hiking in the Appalachia’s, we have a saying: “leave no trace”. This implies many things: leaving no trash, not destroying nature, leaving natural landscapes the way you find it. It is sosososo important to preserve the landscapes for not only the continuation of Iceland’s tourism income, but preserve this beauty for generations who come to experience.
Swanson School of Engineering 