[mothsonasloth]

[Warning ascerbic and anecdotal story below]

Iceland was the goto choice for my colleagues at a startup in London. A few days before they typically went and forked out top dollar for premium outdoor gear (Rab / Fjallraven) and discussed their plans to mount Kirkjufell.

Iceland is the mecca for many hipsters at least for the UK.

I put it down to Sigur Ros, Game of Thrones and that its still not a very touristy place.

Like most hipsters, they know the price of everything but not the value. They check into their AirBnB place and use their phone as their main method of interacting in the area, rather than interact with the locals and build an appreciation of customs and the lay of the land.

Anyways back to the story, one of these well kitted out souls managed to sprain their ankles going for a leasurely walk in the boggy areas of Iceland, only 5 minutes after leaving their hotel.

I just worry now that the Scottish government are trying to market the highlands and outer islands as the "Iceland of the UK".

[52-6F-62]

I can assure you that it's also a destination for hipsters in Canada, if not much of North America.

I've long wanted to go, myself—but it's a touch out of range. It's expensive enough to plan a trip to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, or the Yukon (from Toronto)!

[hef19898]

Icelands performance during the European soccer cup also provided a kickstart for tourism. Thing is, it is an incredibly nice country with incredibly nice people.

Back the tourists used to be nature lovers, either individual travelers or in small groups with local guides. Now you have mass tourism (at least compared to the old days). And with that you get all the problems that come with it.