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Emerging Volcano and Geothermal Related Tourism in Iceland 219

will be on display so that tourists and visitors will be tourist attraction, and the Vallarheidi with its focus
able to more easily comprehend the extent of the on international education in geosciences, tourism
devastation that the volcanic eruption caused. and sustainable development.
Another ideal geopark site is the Vestmannaeyjar
The future of geotourism in islands focusing on the only inhabited island
Iceland Heimaey, with its twin volcanic cones of Helgafell
Iceland is a country of geological superlatives. It and Eldfell provide easy access for geotourists
wishing to get up close to recent volcanoes. The
has a sound tourism industry, emerging geotourism film show of the 1973 Eldfell eruption is an
attractions, and the base to establish a number of excellent geotourism attraction but the emerging
geoparks. The future for geotourism in this ‘Pompei of the North’ buried village attraction
country is bright and could be enhanced if it currently being developed, provides one of the
embraced the concept of geoparks. A geopark is a most exciting geotourism developments in the
nationally protected area containing a number of country and with a state-of-the-art visitor centre,
geological heritage sites of particular importance, the attraction could form the centre piece of a
rarity or aesthetic appeal (UNESCO, 2006). They global geopark.
are part of an integrated concept of protection, Finally, the region of Þingvellir has been a
education and sustainable development and nature reserve for over 80 years. It is the country’s
geoparks achieve their goals through conservation, spiritual heartland, a national park, and a world
education and geotourism. heritage site. Lying in the path of the Mid Atlantic
The country has two world heritage regions,
four national parks and 80 nature reserves, but as Ridge, it is an area of exceptional geological
interest where one can view the tectonic forces
yet has no geoparks. Yet Iceland is a geotourist’s which have shaped, and are continuing to shape,
dream destination and with appropriate the landscape. The land is an area of exceptional
development and smart marketing it could capture beauty and together with Gullfoss and Geysir,
this emerging market. Thus this presentation these combined geological attractions make
makes the case for Iceland to become a geopark Þingvellir a remarkable set of attributes from
and capitalize on the rising interest of geotourism which a geopark could be formed.
in general, and geoparks in particular. In essence, A five-year tourism development plan is
the whole of Iceland could be proposed as a global currently being undertaken in north-east Iceland
geopark. It is a geologist’s paradise and a magnificent based on geotourism (Hull et al, 2008). The
attraction for geotourists. It has been described as planning and development of tourism in this
‘a living showcase of nature’ and ‘probably nowhere region will require public–private partnerships
else on earth exhibits such a variety of volcanic which help to maintain the tourism industry
activity’ (Jonasson, 2007). However, three places businesses over the long term (Hull, in press). Such
naturally lend themselves to immediate geopark tourism should be small-scale and sustainable,
development. They are the Reykjanes peninsula, fostering conservation of geological features at the
the Vestmannaeyjar islands and Þingvellir. same time as delivering economic and social
The Reykjanes peninsula is the first place in
Iceland that may form the basis of a geopark. A benefits to host communities. In time, this is what
is needed for all other regions of Iceland – then the
group led by Landvernd, the Icelandic Environment promise of volcano and geothermal related tourism
Association, is currently pursuing this possibility. will deliver benefits to all Icelandic people.
The peninsula is the site of Keflavik International
Airport, where most international visitors arrive
in the country. Such a geopark would probably Acknowledgements
focus on Mid Atlantic Ridge passing through it Much of the information in this chapter was
with its Bridge between Two Continents, derived from field work in Iceland conducted in
Svartsengi geothermal plant, the Blue Lagoon mid 2008. Whilst there I was generously hosted by

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