Tourism Impacts on Icelandic Culture

In my opinion, I believe that as long as there are foreign visitors in a destination, there are bound to have negative cultural impacts influenced by visitors. Similarly, there should also be both positive and negative impacts and not only one-sided outcome.

As for some of the positive impacts, the locals are more motivated to showcase their art exhibitions on the streets of Reykjavik. Visitors are able to buy the art pieces, small sculptures, postcards from the locals along the streets of Reykjavik. Through interactions with the locals, there will be an exchange of knowledge between the locals and visitors. Other positive impacts of the authentic culture in Iceland include the raised socio-cultural awareness. As more people visit Iceland, it means that more people are now aware of their culture in Iceland. In general, visitors help to enhance the overall cultural scene in Iceland.

The most common negative cultural impact will be the possible loss of identity and culture, known as the demonstration effect. In the heart of Reykjavik, there is a shopping mall named Smáralind, what matters more are the shops that can be found in the shopping mall. They include top brands such as Zara, Hugo Boss, Dorothy Perkins, Levi‘s, Topshop. Instead of preserving the street of Reykjavik, Americanised malls are built, therefore destroying Icelandic authentic culture.

They are built mainly due to consumer demands; visitors can claim 15% tourist rebate on purchases are over ISK 4,000 and the prices are cheaper as compared to their own countries. It benefits both Iceland's economy and its visitors, but at the same time this causes negative cultural impact.
Shopping with 15% rebate for tourists - http://www.visiticeland.com/Seedo/Shopping/

The media also played its part in eroding Iceland's culture, influencing the minds of the younger generation with American TV shows. As quoted from an article, "There is entire generation of Icelanders who know more about American Idol, Friends and American brand names than Icelandic poets."

As illustrated from the article and linking back to the importance of youths in preserving the overall culture, more efforts are required to reduce Western influences that may possibly erode their authentic culture. To put it simply, if youths do not preserve their culture now, Icelandic culture will be lost.

More can be read from this article with the link below
http://grapevine.is/Home/ReadArticle/How-Not-to-be-Icelandic

Recently, there has been an initiative by Icelandic government to attract visitors, following the incident of volcanic eruptions which deterred many from travelling to Iceland.
This is the website: www.inspiredbyiceland.com


Well, this is the possible cultural impact on the country in the future from my point of view. Based on the information above, tourists numbers from European regions and North America had been consistent. Given that more people will travel to Iceland, there will be more shopping and more cultural visits, therefore there may be further influences on Icelandic culture from other parts of Europe and America.