A Justin Bieber music video has led to an Icelandic canyon becoming too popular to remain open.
Iceland has been forced to close one of its most idyllic canyons after it saw a tourism surge as a result of a music video by pop artist Justin Bieber.
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon was once a relatively little-known destination.
With steep walls and a winding river, the canyon boasts spectacular views.
However, since Bieber released a music video, titled “I’ll Show You”, which has been viewed 444 million times on YouTube, the canyon has been forced to close its gates.
It is estimated over a million people have visited Fjaðrárgljúfur since the Canadian singer released his video in 2015.
Iceland’s environment Minister, Gudmundur Ingi Gudbrandsson, said: “Rash behaviour by one famous person can dramatically impact an entire area if the mass follows.”
In the music video, Bieber steps on mossy vegetation, dangles his feet over a cliff edge and bathes in the freezing river.
“In Justin Bieber’s defence, the canyon did not – at the time he visited – have rope fences and designated paths to show what was allowed and what was not,” Guðbrandsson said.
Iceland as a whole has seen a huge increase in visitors in recent years. Last year 2.3 million tourists visited the North Atlantic island nation, compared with 600,000 eight years ago.
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