The Icelandic government not interested in purchasing natural wonder – New owner is rich Icelander

As Mannlíf covered last May, the landowners of one of the country’s most significant natural sights had accepted a purchase offer for the land, which includes Fjaðrár­gljúfur canyon. The canyon became a world-famous tourist destination, after the sin­ger Justin Bieber recorded a music video there. The canyon is part of a land called Heiði and the accepted purchase offer amounts to 300 to 350 million ISK. The buyer is an Icelander who operates in tourism.

Frétta­blaðið stated today that the Icelandic govern­ment had not taken advantage of its pre-emptive right to purchase Fjaðrár­gljúfur. The dea­d­line for the right has now expired.

Shortly before the pandemic, the canyon had to be closed, as a steady str­eam of tourists pass­ing through the area began to have a devasta­ting effect on nat­ure in the area. Until now, access to the area has been free and rangers on behalf of the Environ­ment Agency manage the canyon. It is unclear whether, or even when there will be changes to that arrangement, and whether the new owner intends to introduce a fee or not.

This article was orig­inally publ­is­hed in Icelandic by Katrín Heiða Guð­jóns­dóttir.