Tourist Safety Not Just A Matter Of Caution Signs

Communication is not the only key to ensuring tourist safety in the countryside; some tourist-geared material seems to be offering terrible advice.

Tourists getting themselves into trouble at spots of natural wonder have been making headlines lately, with a lot of the onus put on the tourists themselves. While it is true that some have ignored verbal warnings from tour guides and caution signs at these sites in order to take life-threatening risks, RÚV reports the flip side of this: tourists being encouraged to take risks.

The area around Goðafoss (seen above) is covered in snow and ice this time of year. This does not, however, prevent tourists from getting dangerous close to outcrops around the falls in search of the ideal photo. These tourists are not ignoring warning signs and demarcation ropes, either – such safety precautions are nowhere to be seen.

Brian Lai, visiting Iceland from New York, told reporters he was given no verbal warnings about the possible dangers of going too close to the falls. In fact, he said an introductory video about the falls encourages tourists to get as close to the falls as possible.

The lack of precautions in place is due, in part, to a lack of foresight. Tourism in recent years has increased beyond expectations, and not every location has caught up. As reported, the Iceland Tourism Task Force will be submitting a proposal next month for how extra safety measures can be best introduced to such locations.