Greenland is becoming more popular with travelers who want to see its amazing Arctic landscapes and icy fjords. But the country doesn’t want to be overwhelmed by tourists like Iceland was a few years ago. Instead, Greenland is making careful plans to grow tourism in a way that protects the environment and supports local communities.
New airports make Greenland easier to visit
In the past, getting to Greenland wasn’t easy. You had to fly through Iceland and take extra flights to smaller airports. But that’s changing. The airport in Ilulissat will be ready by 2026 to handle flights from Europe and North America. Nuuk, the capital, already has direct flights to the United States starting in summer 2025.
The Government has spent over €655 million to upgrade airports. This helps Greenland become more independent from Denmark, which still provides about half of its national budget. But easier access also means more tourists. In 2023, about 141,000 people visited Greenland—half by plane. With new flight routes, that number could double soon.
A small town with a big challenge
Ilulissat is the most visited town in Greenland. It has only about 4,600 residents, but sometimes cruise ships bring in more tourists than there are locals.
“When two ships come, there are more visitors than people who live here,” says tour operator Pilu Magnussen.
Ilulissat’s famous icebergs attract visitors, but too many people are causing problems. The land near the UNESCO-protected Icefjord is getting damaged. Former deputy mayor Aqqalu Jerimiassen says, “It used to be green, now it’s just sand because so many people walk there.”
Cruise ships can’t dock at the port, so passengers come ashore in smaller boats. That makes it hard to control how many people enter the town. Sometimes shops run out of fresh food after a cruise visit.
Local versus foreign tourism businesses
Another issue is that many tour companies are based in Denmark. They open only for summer, take most of the profits, and leave. Magnussen says, “They earn money here but don’t invest anything back.” His company works with schools and elders to protect Greenland’s culture and traditions.
“Tourism is good,” he says, “but only if it helps the people who live here.”
New rules to keep control local
To protect local businesses, Greenland is making new tourism laws. Since 2024, cruise visitors must pay a tax of 50 DKK (€6.70). From 2025, new tour companies must be 66% owned by Greenlanders. And by 2027, companies will need a special license to operate—they must be registered and pay taxes in Greenland.
There’s also a plan to charge €10 to visit the famous panoramic area near the Icefjord.
Some businesses are trying new ideas. For example, the hotel SØMA gives all its profits to local welfare projects. But most of the tourism industry is still focused on making money.
Greenland can’t grow tourism forever
Tourism can’t grow forever because there are limits. Greenland has fewer than 57,000 people, and building things costs four times more than in Denmark. Ilulissat has only 550 hotel beds, with 300 more planned. Still, that’s not much. “There’s a limit to what we can handle,” says local tourism official Bendt Kristiansen. Towns are far apart, and traveling between them is expensive.
Over-tourism isn’t just about big numbers. It’s about how tourism affects daily life. Tourism expert Asbjørn Bargsteen says,
“Even 50,000 visitors a year might be too many. We’re so few that it feels like a lot.”
Some quiet villages, like Ilimanaq and Rodebay, have turned into tourist zones. Silverio Scivoli, a longtime resident, warns: “If this continues, Greenland will become like the Caribbean or the Seychelles—too full of tourists.”
A different kind of tourism future
Right now, Greenland is still a special place to visit—expensive and hard to reach, but very rewarding. The government’s plan is to attract tourists who respect nature and culture, not big crowds.
As more people become interested in visiting Greenland, the country faces an important choice: grow in a smart, slow way—or risk losing what makes it so unique.
