Almost seven billion krónas generated from ice cave tours in Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland
Almost seven billion krónas were paid for ice cave and glacier tours in Iceland last year, with nearly 300,000 people participating in excursions at Vatnajökull, according to estimates from Vatnajökulsþjóðgarður (Vatnajökull National Park). These visits included ice cave tours, generating a total revenue close to seven billion krónas.
In a report set to be published next week on the national park’s website, a comprehensive overview of the state and development of ice cave tours and glacier hikes will be presented. In response to a fatal accident during an ice cave tour at Breiðamerkurjökull on August 25, the government established a working group made up of four ministries to review safety measures in glacier tourism.
Over a 12-month period, approximately 205,000 individuals participated in ice cave tours out of nearly 287,000 total visitors to Vatnajökull from September last year to August this year. The estimated average fee per visitor is 23,000 krónas, which amounts to 6.6 billion krónas.
The national park’s report outlines the safety requirements imposed on companies conversing with the park and the safety plans they are required to implement. It also states that Vatnajökulsþjóðgarður lacks the legal authority to close areas due to the natural progression of the seasons, which includes glacier melting in summer.
Following the deadly accident, there were discussions about potentially banning summer ice cave tours, which only commenced last year. The park believes that increased supervision is necessary for ice cave tours, and it has already been heightened since the incident, ensuring daily evaluations of the safety of specific ice caves. Moreover, the park will investigate how much latitude companies offering ice cave tours have in modifying the glacier’s surface.