6 Things Locals Wish Tourists Wouldn’t Do When In Iceland

Dec 23, 2023

Last Updated on: Feb 13, 2025

News

Icelandic Tourist Board reported over 1.7 million visitors in 2022. The ethereal beauty of Iceland has persistently drawn hoards of tourists to its shores. Unavoidably, these tourists make mistakes and encounter culture crushes.

There are now about six things that collectively irks the people of Iceland.

First, there is the joke about Iceland and Greenland. Actually we have all heard the joke. It stems from the fact that Greenland is covered in ice and Iceland is lush green.

Then there is the northern lights that tourists look for during the summers. Icelanders are tired of tourists not doing their research before planning their trip. The midnight sun that occurs between May and August is also a matter of confusion among tourists.

European culture, especially Iceland does not appreciate tipping in restaurants, finding it borderline offensive in certain parts. Saying no to tipping on the part of the service-providers also results in arguments.

Anna Ragna, born and raised in Iceland moved to the US in 2015. She tells Business Insider, “A lot of times there would be tips on the table for the waitress and they say, ‘We can’t take it,’ and then it’ll end up turning into an argument, and that’s something that happened quite often.”

Iceland is renowned for its pristine beauty and the natives hate when tourists littter. Ragna says, it “enrages us as a people.”

There is also the issue of tampering with the delicate Icelandic moss. This slow-growing green layer is able to adapt to the harshest climates but it can be very fragile when tread  upon. It grows incredibly slowly and it can take up a hundred years just to grow a simple patch.”

Tourists also ignore signs in different hazardous areas. For example, an Icelandic Coast Guard helicopter rescued an  “exhausted, cold and shocked” hiker who got too close to a volcanic eruption near Grindavík on December 19. Authorities warned tourists to “think four times.”

Davíð Geir Jónasson who is the owner of Icelandic tour company called Vik Expeditions says he has seen this happen too many times throughout his 15-year long service. He says, “In Iceland, a warning sign is put up because someone has died or multiple people have died. It’s not just because something might happen.”

Read Also:

Share on Social Media

Abdul Aziz Mondol is a professional blogger who is having a colossal interest in writing blogs and other jones of calligraphies. In terms of his professional commitments, he loves to share content related to business, finance, technology, and the gaming niche.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

title-img Related

READ MORE November Trips

November Trips In 2023: From London To The World

BY  Abdul Aziz Nov 9, 2023

There are quite a few exciting events that you can plan for a quick holiday away in November 2023. We are enlisting some of them so you can check them out according to your convenience. Here are some exciting events that you can explore for a quick getaway in November 2023. Check out the Christmas Light Trails, where the palaces and gardens are within walking distance of London City, and winter light trails are open, especially in this month. You can also witness the Shining Lights of Service, a neon commission by artist Chila Kumari Singh Burman MBE, outside the Royal Pavilion in Brighton. It is set to be held on 11 November-28 January (East Sussex). It explores its role as a hospital for wounded Indian soldiers during the First World War. If you are a fan of wine and cheese, the Hitchin Wine and Food Festival is a must-attend event where you can try a selection of wines and champagnes chosen by local vintners, paired with cheeses from a specially curated cheeseboard. You can access this event on 11 November (Hertfordshire). For movie buffs, the Brighton Film Festival showcases feature and short films from around the world, along with preview screenings, director Q&A sessions, and more. It will be held on 10-19 November (East Sussex). Rochester Cathedral hosts a Jazz and Blues Festival over four days, featuring musical greats like Billy Childish and the Chatham Singers, the James Taylor Quartet, and the Nigel Price Organ Trio. Check out our guide to the town for other things to see and do and places to eat and drink while you're in Rochester. Catch the show on 15-18 November (Kent). These are only a few of the events. If you are interested, check out the tickets for the events, if needed, so you don’t miss out on the holiday fun. Read Also: Excited For Christmas? Leicester Square’s Glittering Christmas Market Is Returning To London From Nov 8 Singaporean Expert Says Vietnam Tourism Needs Better Destination Management: Report The Best Hotels In Mexico City For A Frida Kahlo Pilgrimage

READ MORE Wheeling's Holiday Celebrations

Wheeling’s Holiday Celebrations Bring In Millions Of Dollars For The Local Economy From Tourists 

BY  Abdul Aziz Nov 16, 2023

Christmas lights, parades, and football bring a lot of people to Wheeling and Ohio County during this magical time of year, which also helps to boost the local economy. "The holiday season in Wheeling in Ohio County is perhaps the premiere time of the year," said Frank O’Brien, director, of Visit Wheeling. The Festival of Lights in Oglebay is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors. Along with hundreds of people attending the city's Winter on the Plaza event, thousands will congregate around Wheeling's Fantasy in Lights Parade. When you have several hundred thousand people spending time in your community, they spend anywhere between $3 to $5 million while they’re here, and sometimes, it's even more than that," O’Brien said. Many more will also swarm Wheeling Island Stadium for the Super Six High School Championship games. Large crowds are drawn to Wheeling's downtown by an increase in events and performances at WesBanco Arena and the capital theatre. Numerous people will be dining out, lodging in hotels, and making purchases from neighborhood merchants. And even though the city is lined with substantial construction, many people are still traveling there and managing to make ends meet. "We have been able to actually track some of that,” O’Brien said. “I'm not going to say that the roads are not a problem -- and the sidewalks being torn up is a problem -- but we are finding that people are still coming, primarily to the events at the arena and Capital Theatre." According to O'Brien, tourism generates about $800 million in revenue for the Northern Panhandle annually. Moreover, it's reasonable to anticipate making close to $10 million in the county just this season. "It's a crucial time for tourism in our area, and I think we do it better than anybody else," O’Brien said. As the holidays draw near, there will be plenty of opportunities to spread cheer and wealth. Learn More About: November Trips In 2023: From London To The World Zanzibar Or Oman: Which Do The Hungarian Tourists Like?

READ MORE Skift Global Forum East 2023 Takes Off in Dubai

Future of Travel, Skift Global Forum East 2023, Takes Off in Dubai!

BY  Ankita Dec 11, 2023

Get ready for the much-anticipated SGFE (Skift Global Forum East). It is the ultimate travel conference by Skift. This year, it joins forces with the annual summit of Dubai Tourism organized by the DET (the Department of Economy and Tourism). Save the dates – December 12-14, 2023, at the luxurious Atlantis The Royal. Forget about the things to do in Dubai. This three-part extravaganza includes the Skift Global Forum East, a MENA extension of the renowned Skift Global Forum. Brace yourself for deep dives into the future of travel, exploring innovations in marketing, strategy, and technology. Meanwhile, DET's bi-annual 'City Briefing' is the pulse of industry stakeholders coming together to share ideas and strategies. The Dubai Tourism Summit, born during last year's Skift Global Forum East, is a world-class thought leadership program for networking among industry stakeholders. The 'City Briefing' event gathers DET’s aviation, travel, hospitality, and retail partners to discuss the latest industry developments. Expect a powerhouse lineup at Skift Global Forum East 2023, featuring CEOs, thought leaders, and innovators from Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, Global Hotel Alliance, Dubai Airports, Emirates, Google, Accor, Emaar Hospitality Group, and more. Dive into discussions covering the future of travel, challenges of air capacity, post-pandemic trends for Chinese travelers, destination marketing through filmmaking, and the role of AI in shaping travel's future – with a focus on the dynamic Middle East region. Be part of conversations on global consumer shifts, building destination capacity, demographic trends, sustainability, and macroeconomic impacts on the industry. The Forum starts with a dazzling opening night reception at Cloud 22, Atlantis The Royal, on December 12, 2023 – an opportunity for networking and connecting with industry leaders. Ready to join the conversation? Register for detailed event information at https://live.skift.com/skift-global-forum-east-2023, the official Skift Global Forum East 2023 site. Don't miss this chance to be at the forefront of the travel industry's future. Read Also: Crime Rate In Florida Trending Down While California Skyrockets: Report Thailand Becomes Most Preferred Destination For Tourists: Agoda Reports