This northern island nation has seen a dramatic surge in visitors over the past few years. One reason for that is the so-called "'Game of Thrones' effect," as many travelers want the opportunity to Instagram photos of themselves in the dramatic landscapes that appeared in the series. This, combined with the availability of cheap flights and some very effective marketing campaigns, has made Iceland a popular travel destination.
The number of tourists almost doubled from 566,000 to over 1 million between 2011 and 2015, according to Iceland's tourism board. In 2016, the number of Americans visiting the country outnumbered the Icelandic population.
The country was recently likened to Disneyland by a local politician who complained that the area is now swarming with tourists. While this influx of visitors has brought a much-needed boost to the economy post-recession, it's also pushed up prices for residents and put pressure on the infrastructure. Locals complain of tourists destroying the fragile ecosytem and leaving a mess behind them as they trample over the formerly untouched natural sites.