As international tourism recovers (and even exceeds) pre-pandemic levels, major destinations are remembering that maintaining the balance between tourist success and local people’s quality of life is not always easy. This is confirmed by the fact that Japan, Amsterdam, Indonesia, South Korea and, of course, Spain, which went to first place among the world’s best destinations, face the discontent of thousands of residents unwilling to accept a borderless tourism model. Is the sector viewed with suspicion around the world? No. There’s a huge island between the Atlantic and the North Pole, eager to make itself known.

Your name? Greenland.

This may now be difficult and expensive to achieve, but officials have suggested making the change with three airports soon to be ready.

Tourism in Greenland? Exactly the same. Only 56,000 people live in Greenland, with the vast majority concentrated on 20% of the island; This rate is not surprising if you take into account that 85% of its surface is permanently covered with ice. Moreover, almost a third of Greenlanders live in the capital Nuuk. In terms of economy, although there are investors interested in mining resources, fishing has a great importance, especially in exports.

I know none of these characteristics suggest that Greenland is a place with too many assets to succeed as a great tourist destination, but the island is not giving up on an industry that could bring great benefits. Authorities have introduced Visit Greenland, a promotional platform for travellers, with the BBC reporting a record number of foreign visitors in 2023: just over 140,000, representing an increase of 36.5% compared to 2022.

When there’s no ice. Visit Greenland boasts wildlife, outdoor activities, the Northern Lights and the perks of being in the Arctic. Do not forget that visitors to the island can enjoy the glaciers, dive in unique environments, observe the coastline from the sea, photograph icy fields or whales, practice. paddle boarding In the Arctic… Ice is not their problem.

If Greenland has one big problem today making it difficult to grow as a tourist destination, it’s connectivity. The world’s largest island can be reached by a cruise ship, but this requires a significant investment of money and time.

But what if you travel by plane? This is the second option, but it doesn’t make things much easier. Neither for those who want to come nor for those who want to move to other countries. There is an airport in its capital, but it is mostly used for travel within Greenland. Usually those making a longer journey have to go to Kangerlussuaq or Narsarsuaq at the southern end first. Both facilities have a military history. Additionally, there are not many airlines, routes and frequencies in the region.

Greenland Travel states that there are basically two airlines that sell tickets regularly. One of these is Air Ireland, operating in Reykjavik, Iceland. The other is Air Greenland, which offers flights to Copenhagen and Reykjavik thanks to its modest aircraft fleet. A year ago, Northern Canada announced an alliance with the Greenlandic firm to provide connectivity between Ottawa and Nuuk and a connection in Iqaluit, but only between June and October.

An opening calendar. This scenario will change soon. Greenland authorities decided to strengthen airport maps to make it easier for residents who want to leave the island and travelers who want to enter it. If the planned schedule is followed, the first ribbon will be cut in November with the opening of Nuuk International Airport. Visit Greeland expects two more openings before 2027, in Ilulissat and Qaqortoq, which “will allow you to reach most of the country in an hour and a half.”

Terminals problem… and more. It’s not just about strengthening the island’s infrastructure network. Although Air Greenland and Irelandair will initially operate from the new runways, local authorities hope the development will attract airlines, open more routes, reduce costs and simplify logistics. However, with the opening of the new Nuuk terminal, direct connections between the capital and Copenhagen will be possible without connecting with 300-seat aircraft. And this will not be the only development. United Airlines currently plans to offer direct flights between Nuuk and New York twice a week and during high season.

“Big change in tourism”. The advantages for locals looking to travel to other countries are obvious, but it is also hoped that new airstrips on the island will make Greenland a more attractive destination. “Changes in Greenland tourism are on the horizon,” celebrates Visit Greeland, a platform affiliated with the Regional Government. The website even started a countdown to the opening of the new Nuuk airport. A similar view is shared by Greenland Airports director Jens Lauridsen, who believes the capital’s improved connections will allow the island to “see a lot of tourism and change”.

Grow… and diversify. Greenland is doing more than just beefing up its airport network: its rhetoric is also careful to ensure that tourism won’t damage its environment or saturate its cities; This is a reality that is becoming apparent through street protests, moratoriums on new hotel developments, or construction halts. Establishing (and increasing) visitor fees in other countries such as Spain.

“Greenland focuses on growing its tourism industry responsibly,” they assure at Visit Greenland. He says the new flights will allow passengers arriving on the island to be distributed “more evenly between regions”, “relieving pressure on the most popular destinations and redirecting some of the tourists to less visited destinations”.

I learn from the neighbor. The BBC explains that there are already businesses in Nuuk who have acknowledged their “enthusiasm” for changes in the tourism sector and are preparing for the improvement of the airports. In particular, he mentions the owner of a lodge who invested in cabins that mimic igloos. But the island faces some challenges that go beyond its connectivity, such as the risk of its accommodation offer or tourism sector developing “too quickly”. “This incident happened in Iceland, so I think we have a lot to learn from them,” thinks the hotelier.

“We are seeing a boom in tourism and how tourism can impact small places positively but also negatively,” says Naaja Nathanielsen, head of the Greenland Trade, Business and Mineral Resources area. The island is actually working on a new law focused on the sector.

More and better air connections could have impacts for Greenland that go beyond tourism, such as the ability to sell more fish or new opportunities to strengthen relationships politically.

Images |Visit Greenland (Unsplash) and Visit Greenland

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