(TAN): Faroe Islands’ “Closed for Maintenance, Open for Voluntourism” initiative has attracted 5,886 applicants within 24 hours of registration opening in its second year. The drive had seen 2,000 less people sign up to clean some of the islands’ tourist sites last year, making 2020 even more popular.
Although the scheme will offer 100 slots for voluntouring, it saw sign-ups from 95 countries, including Venezuela, Russia, and Malaysia. However, most people signed up from the United States, with 1,291 volunteers from the country looking to join the maintenance crew.
The applicants ranged in age from 18 to 77 years, and featured professionals from diverse fields including architects, lawyers, film directors and diplomats.
“We are yet again delighted by the incredible amount of people willing to give up their own precious time to come and help us. We are so thankful to everyone who has signed up and pledged their support and, although we’re unable to host everyone for 2020’s project, we plan to continue these initiatives on an annual basis,” Guðrið Højgaard of Visit Faroe Islands was quoted by the Guardian as saying.
Located in the North Atlantic, the Faroe Islands are a territory of Denmark. The volcanic islands will remain closed to tourists from April 15 to 17, 2020, during which volunteers will work at 14 of its popular tourist sites. These include the last stretch of the path to the top of the islands’ highest mountain Slættaratindur, parts of which are difficult to climb safely. Volunteers will signpost and maintain an alternative route to the summit.
In 2019, about 100 volunteers from 25 countries took part in maintenance projects selected by local municipal bodies. The mission aimed to draw attention to the problem of overtourism and the damage it can cause to the fragile ecosystems on the planet, even though it claimed that the islands were not yet hurt by overtourism.
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The pilot programme had temporarily closed ten tourist attractions across the 18-island archipelago for their conservation. Work included forming and maintaining hiking pathways and viewing areas, and setting up signposts.
The 100 volunteers, chosen at random, will be given “free accommodation, food and transport on the islands” during the maintenance period. However, they have to pay for their transport to the islands.
Those who are not selected will be able to follow the progress on Visit Faroe Islands’ website and social media accounts. Anyone looking to participate in 2021’s drive can sign up on Visit Faroe Islands’ website to be alerted by email when registration for 2021 opens.
