Calling all travelers, Greenland wants to be included on your vacation bucket list.
The world’s largest island, a place where visitors can experience everything from whale watching to exploring remote settlements, has set its sights on ramping up tourism by showcasing what makes Greenland unique and worth visiting, according to a new report from the Associated Press.
“We really want to grow the tourism sector. It’s a very good fit for many in Greenland,” Naaja Nathanielsen, Greenland’s business minister, told AP. “Tourism is about good vibes. It’s about sharing culture, sharing history. It’s about storytelling. And as Inuit, that’s very much part of our heritage.”
Nathanielsen was one of several Greenland residents quoted by the Associated Press who are eager to show a different side of the island following the media spotlight surrounding interactions with President Trump and his administration.
The semi-autonomous Danish territory found itself repeatedly in the news earlier this year when President Trump said he wanted to take control of Greenland either by buying it or simply taking over by force. Both Denmark and Greenland rebuffed those advances, which created diplomatic tensions.
However, some in Greenland are now seeking to make the most of the attention brought about by the recent spotlight.
“It has kind of put Greenland on the world map. And it’s definitely a situation that Raw Arctic has used to our advantage,” Frank Møller of Nuuk-based tour guide company Raw Arctic, told AP.
Located between the
Arctic and Atlantic oceans, Greenland may be poised to get exactly what it’s after
in terms of a tourism uptick.
A new, direct airline route has been established between Nuuk,
Greenland, and Newark, New Jersey, enhancing connectivity for would-be
visitors. The first such flight took place June 14 and marks the
inaugural offering of a direct route between the United States and
Greenland for an American airline, AP reported. Prior to this
development, getting to Greenland would require a layover in Denmark or
Iceland. The new direct flights are being operated by United Airlines.
Cruise ships are also frequently docking in Greenland. About 150,000 tourists visited in 2024 via cruise.
Earlier this year, as TravelPulse reported, the government of Greenland released a ten-year tourism development plan with an eye towards 2035. The plan includes a handful of key goals designed to improve the lives of Greenlanders while encouraging the travel industry’s growth.
The country was also recognized as one of ten emerging destinations to watch this year, which was also reported by TravelPulse.
While all of this is good news for Greenland’s tourism advocates, Møller added that any growth of the industry that
takes place should be measured, allowing for all local voices to be equally
represented.
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