Geysir Controversy Takes New Turn

A settlement might be reached soon between private landowners and the government over admission charges at Geysir.

Vísir reports that while South Icelandic District Court has ruled that private actorscannot charge admission at Geysir, they are allowing for a ten-day delay of this ruling to go into effect. It is hoped that this delay will give enough time for both parties to reach an agreement on the matter.

Garðar Eiríksson, a spokesperson for Landeigendafélag Geysis ehf., told reporters that he “welcomed” the decision, adding that they will not try to charge admission while the ruling delay stands. Ívar Pálsson, a government attorney for the issue, emphasised that “the government is always in discussions” about Geysir.

As reported, there has been considerable pushing back and forth between the private landowners around Geysir and the Icelandic government. With an initial charge of 600 ISK for visitors 17 and older proposed to go into effect last March, Left-Green MP Ögmundur Jónasson later invited people to visit Geysir and ignore the tolls.

In the wake of the court ruling, the land owners said they were entertaining the idea of retaliating by blocking traffic to the area. What the next ten days will bring could settle the matter once and for all, or lead to further complications.

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