Greenland Releases Ten-Year Tourism Development Plan

The Government of Greenland released a ten-year tourism development plan with an eye towards 2035—with three key goals that will improve the lives of Greenlanders while encouraging the travel industry's growth. 

Greenland, which we recognized as one of ten emerging destinations to watch this year, is quickly becoming a desirable destination for travelers to visit. 

Anyone who has researched or booked an Arctic expedition cruise—or stays knowledgeable about them by reading the latest news—will know Greenland is a highly attractive cruise destination, with more itineraries and cruise lines adding stops in Greenland or focusing on the island altogether. HX Expeditions is even creating a new culinary program featuring Greenlandic chefs like Inunnguaq Hegelund on its Arctic journeys. 

Greenland's new tourism plan, called Kalaallit Nunaat…And All That We Share, identifies three main pillars the tourism industry will lead with. Kalaallit Nunaat is the Greenlandic name for Greenland. 

The first is co-creation—improving tourism that's valuable and helpful for residents who feel "ownership and co-responsibility."

The second is the value creation of tourism, advancing the most beneficial forms of tourism for local businesses, job creation, sustainability and more. It's not simply about welcoming more and more tourists; it's about the value they bring to Greenland as a whole. 

Lastly, the third goal is for Greenland's tourism development to grow in balance with nature, culture, and community. It must be responsibly grown. 

Greenland's ten-year plan promotes tourism to strengthen its healthcare system, create new housing development and open more employment opportunities, enhancing Greenlanders' quality of life overall.

"Greenland is experiencing increasing international attention, new airports and a growing interest from travelers abroad, which creates great opportunities for our country but also significant responsibilities," said Anette Lings, Chair of the Board for Visit Greenland. "With this strategy, Visit Greenland takes clear responsibility for seizing opportunities wisely and contributing to tourism development for the benefit of both the population and our guests."

The Greenlandic government, the Naalakkersuisut, has five main goals for tourism through 2035. They are to grow tourism to account for 40 percent of the country's total export value; double the number of tourists over the next ten years and increase the revenue per tourist; employ over 2,000 people within the tourism industry; have 75 percent of the tourism industry be year-round instead of operating seasonally; and require all tourism operators to have a sustainability policy. 

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