Direct flights from the United States are on the schedule to revolutionize Greenland’s tourism sector through unprecedented international accessibility, offering economic benefits on one hand, and evoking severe and inherent Greenlander concerns on the other. The first international flight to Nuuk, the capital of the self-governing Danish territory, touched down last Thursday and United Airlines will launch a four-hour direct flight from New Jersey’s Newark airport starting in June, which can double the air seats to 105,000 from April-August.
One of the ways that the new tourism law developed by Greenland’s government directly responds to such environmental weaknesses is through the zone classification system. The above strategic management approach will further minimise access to sensitive regions thus preserving fragile ecosystems which are highly vulnerable due to climate change. This legislation seeks to protect the native hunting grounds, cultural place and any other place of archeological importance in the course of addressing the issue of increased tourist flow.
It is suggested that people on the ground recognize the vulnerability of the ecosystem in Greenland. The people of the territory, mainly aboriginal Inuit people understand the ecological dangers of promoting tourism in the area, for instance upsetting the natural environment, or the high carbon footprint. The last blockade of a big cruise ship in the Ilulissat port reflects the willingness of the community to fight against environmental degradation and protect the environment of Greenland.
