Foreign tourists ignore signs and warnings in Faroe Islands

Foreign tourists are ignoring signs, warnings and safety procedures in the Faroe Islands, according to Kringvarp Føroya (KVF). Tourist numbers have grown significantly in recent years, and while most visits go well, some visitors may get into trouble if they fail to follow instructions.

Jógvan Hovshólm, founder and director of Faroway Adventures, said he had worked in the tourism industry for 25 years and had seen tourists disregard the rules and procedures in place.

Visit Faroe Islands has recently worked on the Please Visit Responsibly campaign, which encourages visitors to show restraint and travel responsibly in the Faroe Islands. Hovshólm said the campaign had made a difference, but its message had not reached all tourists.

At Mykines, guides have for several years been present with the authority to advise tourists and stop them from going where they should not. Hovshólm said this could be a solution worth testing at other tourist destinations.

KVF also contacted Guðrið Højgaard, director of Visit Faroe Islands, but she declined to comment.