It is obvious that Páll is a very passionate person and loves his country. I am sure he only wants the best for Iceland. However, the tone in his column (January 15) leads me to believe he has a lot of animosity for tourists who come to Iceland. He has almost made me feel bad for having visited Iceland in the past and for planning on coming again this year. 
 
Yes, you have to protect nature and yes, there are limits as to how many people can be accommodated by a small country. But at the same time Iceland needs the money that tourism brings. I’m sure there is a balance there somewhere that can be achieved without making someone feel unwelcome.
 
Over the years Páll has written many times about his travels all over the world. Why is it okay for him to visit other countries but not for others to visit his country? How would he feel if a journalist in another country that he loved and visited wrote a similar article?
 
I live in a very touristy part of Canada. Occasionally I get annoyed with the crowds but I don’t ever wish that there were no tourists. I love that people want to visit Canada and see all the beauty that lies within our borders... and if Páll should visit Canada sometime in the future we would welcome him with open arms.
 
John Kingma, Canada

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Balancing Act

I have been to Canada many times, in all provinces except New Brunswick and Nunavut. Great country, or shall we call it a continent as Canada is larger than Australia.

I like tourists visiting Planet Iceland. My concern is how much is too much, how many people can come here and enjoy the nature at its best.

We need to think before it is too late. So tourists who come here will not be disappointed; Iceland is not that big.

Canada is 100 times larger than Iceland.

PS