On this page you can learn more about tourism in Greenland with a student presentation by Amy Hussey.

Key Takeaways:

• The economic role of tourism in Greenland is embedded in its ongoing nation-building process.
• The tourism industry in Greenland is considered underdeveloped compared to other Arctic states such as Iceland or Norway given the limited accommodations and transportation infrastructure.
• Tensions:
  • Climate change & tourism: Tourism has the potential to speed up climate change, yet the industry is also benefiting from visitors rushing to observe Arctic wonders before they disappear because of climate change.
  • Demand for “untouched” nature vs. infrastructure development: Tourists demand untouched, unspoiled places, but by virtue of the existence of tourism, there are services and infrastructures that need to be developed to respond to the inevitable demand from tourists for more comfort and services.
  • Local communities & tourism: Tourism can bring employment opportunities to small communities, but it also causes general disturbance to private life and disrupts the social organization as community members take on non-traditional roles.
• Policy Recommendations
  • Continue to improve transportation infrastructure
  • Improve accommodation capacity and small-scale tourism-related infrastructure, including museums, and updating harbors for boat excursions
  • Expand internet access to accommodate a virtual forum for policy & business networks
  • Have a quota for the number of visitors per community – decided in consultation with community with a cost-benefit analyses

Ongoing research: Greenland Tourism Statistics (operated by Visit Greenland and owned by the Government of Greenland) is currently doing research on the growth of the tourism industry in Greenland. More research needs to be done on how indigenous peoples in Greenland currently feel about tourism. There also needs to be more research on the environmental impact of adventure tourism in Greenland.

Watch this presentation to learn more about tourism in Greenland:

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