Icelandic Minister of Industry and Commerce Ragnheiður Elín Árnadóttir voiced her disappointment today with the decision by private landowners to go ahead with the introduction of an entrance fee to Geysir. As reported yesterday, the fee will be introduced next month.
Ragnheiður highlighted the issue during a parliamentary speech about the protection and use of tourist attractions in Iceland. Ragnheiður said that it was not desirable for tourists to always have to take out their wallet at busy travel spots. The minister emphasized the idea of instead introducing a nature pass and said the concept would be better presented later in the month, visir.is reports.
The entrance fee will be ISK 600 (USD 5.20, EUR 3.80) for visitors over 17 years of age. Landowners say that the fee will be used for development and protection of the area. The idea has been harshly criticized by some in the tourism industry.
Up to 6,000 people visit the area every day.
