The Great North is going global! Greenland is acquiring new airports and from November 28, the largest passenger planes will be able to land directly in Nuuk, the Greenlandic capital. And in two years, a second international airport will open in the west of the country. For the government, it is about developing tourism. But some residents and even tourism professionals criticize this tourist ambition. (Rebroadcast from November 16, 2024)
A flight from New York to Nuuk (the capital of Greenland) once a week and now, connections with the largest cities in the world, this air boom in Greenland is opposed to the other tourist transport, the cruise. The country would even rather seek to slow down cruise lines. Greenland has just added constraints on bringing its coasts closer together to combat pollution. But there is another reason, this one less official, since cruise passengers are accommodated and catered on board, they spend much less than those arriving by plane!
Also readGreenland, a brake on cruises
Air more profitable than sea
“ Nuuk Mayor really counts on the new Nuuk Airport to develop tourismexplains Idrissa Thestrup, tourism specialist, she lived for 20 years in Greenland where she worked in the government. Indeed, we know that tourists who come by plane stay there much longer than those who arrive by cruise ship. Air passengers stay on average eight to ten days. We also see flows of workers and laborers from distant villages arriving in Nuuk who are there to earn more than in their region. They are working on the construction of the airport, others are preparing to come to work in agencies, future hotels or restaurants. »
The expansion of Ilulissat airport
The small airport of Ilulissat, in the west of Greenland, is under construction. It is expanding to become an international airport in two years. In the country, as in all other isolated regions where infrastructure is developing, there are pros and cons of airports. Some residents fear being invaded. Is everything going too fast?
Jobs at stake
Nuuk City Hall supported and found the funds for this work. THE Denmarkto avoid Chinese or Russian funds contributing, decided to invest. The economic growth of this territory attached to Denmark will lead to the construction of new hotels, new restaurants and a service industry (IT, electricity, etc.).
Waste recycling
But now, if it is desired, Greenland’s economic growth must be accompanied by a comprehensive plan to take into account other aspects of tourism development. Without preparation for recycling and waste collection for example, or even for accommodation and reception of passengers, the tourism momentum could go wrong.
The pole transformed into a zoo
While he welcomes the desire to expand airports and encourage the arrival and consumption of tourists, Olivier Poivre d’Arvorthe French ambassador of the poles, also fears the voyeurism of certain travelers: “ After all, it’s true, why would we prohibit Greenland from its economic development? We have accepted it well on our Mediterranean coasts, in Spain, on the Costa Brava! However, I fear that some tourists will come to the poles as if to the theater, to watch and witness the disaster of global warming! Today, the Earth’s poles are warming more than any other place on our planet. It’s a kind of voyeurism. »
The success of polar voyages
Among travelers from all over the world, the Great North is popular! Last year in Greenland, the number of tourists increased by 9%.
To listen in Great report Greenland: the political issues of climate change