Greenland leads the way: Sustainable tourism with Nordic potential
Nordisk Råds udvalg for vækst og udvikling besøger Grønland og bliver klogere på landets turismeudvikling
The Committee for Growth and Development in the Nordic Region visiting Greenland to learn more about the tourism sector in the country
Each June, the Committee makes a field trip to somewhere in the Region to gather inspiration and insight. This year, the destination was Greenland, where 15 MPs from six Nordic countries met local stakeholders involved in the development of the tourism sector for the world’s largest island.
Growth sector
The data speaks volumes: tourism accounts for 5.5% of the country’s gross added value.
“Traditionally, fishing has been the totally dominant sector in Greenland, but tourism is beginning to play a major and significant role,” Naaja H. Nathanielsen, the Minister for Industry, Raw Materials, Mining, Energy, Law Enforcement and Equality, told the committee.
The first Greenland Tourism Act came into force in 2025. It sets the course for more sustainable development, using licensing and zoning to ensure the tourism sector’s growth is in harmony with nature and social needs.
Need for skills and co-operation
The business community in Greenland sees great opportunities – but also challenges. Christian Keldsen, Director of the Greenland Business Association, highlighted the lack of capital and a skilled workforce.
“We need investment in infrastructure and skills to support development. Attracting enough people with the right qualifications is a major challenge for a rapidly growing sector.
Jens R. Lauridsen, Director of Greenland Airports, stressed that tourists are not just visitors – they can also help develop local communities. “We need to see tourists as an asset that can make it attractive to live and work here.”
Involvement and local ownership
Visit Greenland seeks to involve the local population in development.
“We have a keen interest in understanding how tourism affects local people and in knowing what they need and want,” said Linda Kleist, who is responsible for destination development and cruises.
Nordic synergy in a green transition
The summer meeting in Nuuk also provided insight into specific ways in which the tourism sector is developing in Greenland. The Committee sailed to Qooqqut and visited the restaurant and tourist destination Qooqqut Nuan, a prime example of the kind of developments in green tourism currently underway in the country. The visit led to a dialogue about cross-border co-operation in the Nordic Region.
“We have seen both ambitions and challenges up close,” said committee chair Kjell-Arne Ottosson (Sweden) after the meeting.“Greenland shows how important it is to incorporate thinking about sustainability – in relation to nature, growth and local communities – right from the outset. It is an area in which we can learn from and inspire each other in the Nordic Region.”
