Ivik Knudssen-Ostermann, who operates boat tours showcasing Greenland’s stunning blue icebergs, reveals that his bank has advised him to scale up in anticipation of a surge in tourism. This follows heightened global attention after U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks about the island.
Trump’s statements, along with the recent inauguration of a new international airport in Nuuk, have already increased visitor numbers, and even more are anticipated in the coming months.
Greenland gained international prominence in January when Donald Trump Jr. arrived at the newly inaugurated Nuuk airport.
Since then, President Trump has reaffirmed his intentions to incorporate the Arctic island into the United States, driven by its significant reserves of rare earth minerals vital for advanced technologies.
Greenland is hoping that the expansion of airports will strengthen its tourism and mining sectors, aiming to diversify an economy that currently relies heavily on fishing, which accounts for 95% of its exports.
The island’s striking natural features, including its expansive ice sheet, glaciers, deep fjords, and rich marine life, particularly whales, remain major draws for visitors. At the same time, there is a growing sense of pride in the local Inuit culture.
The inauguration of Nuuk’s airport in November has streamlined access to Greenland. Starting in June, United Airlines will offer direct flights from New York to Nuuk, eliminating the need for travelers to transit through Copenhagen and the former U.S. military base in Kangerlussuaq.
In 2026, Ilulissat, Greenland’s primary tourist destination renowned for its UNESCO-listed ice fjord, will open a new international airport. Additionally, another international airport is being developed in Qaqortoq, located in southern Greenland.
Statistics Greenland reported a 14% increase in international flight passengers to Greenland in January compared to the previous year. Hotel stays have also seen consistent growth over the past decade, reaching 355,000 nights last year, a significant rise from 210,000 in 2014.
Visit Greenland found that three out of four tourism operators experienced a boost in bookings within three months of the opening of Nuuk’s new airport.
