NUUK – Greenland has a message for the remainder of the world: We’re ready for you.
“Come go to Greenland,” stated Nukartaa Andreassen, who works for a water taxi firm within the capital metropolis, Nuuk. “Study it, find out about us. We like to have you ever. We love to inform our tales and our tradition.”
The mineral-rich Arctic island is open for tourism. Whale-watching excursions, excursions to the long-lasting puffin island and guided charters via distant settlements are just the start of what Greenland has to supply guests. Locals wish to present what makes the island distinctive past a latest diplomatic dustup with U.S. President Donald Trump.
“Our objective and mission is to current and be the ambassadors of Greenland,” stated Casper Frank Møller, the chief govt of Nuuk-based tour information firm Uncooked Arctic, “and to indicate what magnificence you possibly can expertise whilst you’re right here.”
The tourism trade is predicted to see a increase this yr following the launch of a new route between Nuuk and Newark, New Jersey. The inaugural flight June 14 was the primary direct journey from the U.S. to Greenland by an American airline.
Touring to Greenland
Earlier than the direct flight, air passengers departing from the U.S. wanted a layover in Iceland or Denmark to achieve Greenland. The change benefited vacationers like Doug Jenzen, an American vacationer who was on the United Airways aircraft from New Jersey.
“I got here with the aim of exploring among the pure websites around the globe’s largest island, hoping to help issues like ecotourism and sustainable journey whereas supporting the native economic system,” Jenzen stated.
Cruise ships can already dock on the island however they create much less cash to companies catering to vacationers as a result of passengers sleep and normally eat on board.
Some 150,000 vacationers visited Greenland in 2024, in accordance with Naaja Nathanielsen, Greenland’s enterprise minister.
“We actually wish to develop the tourism sector. It’s an excellent match for a lot of in Greenland,” Nathanielsen added. “Tourism is about good vibes. It’s about sharing tradition, sharing historical past. It’s about storytelling. And as Inuit, that’s very a lot a part of our heritage.”
The Trump impact
Greenland gained worldwide consideration when Trump earlier this yr introduced he needed to take management of the semiautonomous Danish territory, via a purchase order or possibly by force.
Denmark, a NATO ally, and Greenland have stated the island is not for sale and condemned reviews of the U.S. gathering intelligence there.
Regardless of the diplomatic pressure, Frank Møller of Uncooked Arctic sees an upside.
“It has form of put Greenland on the world map. And it’s positively a scenario that Uncooked Arctic has used to our benefit,” he stated.
Nonetheless, beefing up the tourism trade ought to occur at a tempo that prioritizes the voices and luxury ranges of the roughly 56,000 people on the island, he added.
Andreassen, of Nuuk Water Taxi, agreed.
“It’s crucial for me to inform my very own story. As a result of I all the time really feel like after I meet new folks, I all the time introduce a complete Greenland,” she stated. “It’s necessary for me to indicate our personal tradition, our personal nature. Not by tv, not by different folks from different nations.”
‘Unforgettable second’
In June, Pinar Saatci, a 59-year-old Turkish vacationer, noticed a number of whales breach the ocean floor throughout a ship tour.
“It’s very thrilling to be right here, on the different a part of the world, so far-off from dwelling,” she stated. “It’s a really thrilling and unforgettable second.”
Risskov Rejser has visited Greenland a number of instances via her journey firm for Danish vacationers. However she is nervous concerning the impression of a vacationer invasion.
“For me, the worst factor could be if mass tourism begins and other people come right here, and kind of look upon the Greenland folks as in the event that they have been a dwelling museum,” she stated. “It must be achieved in a respectful approach and you need to take into account what the results are.”
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Stefanie Dazio in Berlin contributed to this report.
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