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Case study Tourism in cold environments – Greenland (see page 122)

Figure 3.54 Dolerite Dyke, West Greenland

Figure 3.55 Fjord landscape, West GreenlandThere has been a rapid expansion of tourism activity in the polar regions since the 1980s. A combination of factors, including improved accessibility, increased technology, changes in consumer preferences and the never-ending search for new places has made the Poles highly attractive places.

An increasing number of tourists are seeking to visit these remote regions in order to experience relatively undisturbed natural history, impressive natural beauty, and interesting cultural and historic features. However, the polar regions are fragile environments, vulnerable to invasion of tourists, like other wilderness areas.

Greenland’s ‘tourism industry’ began in 1959 when charter flights became available to Narsarsuaq in the south and to Kulusuk in the east, where there were American bases with landing strips.

In 1990 the Greenland parliament approved a tourism development plan. The objective is for tourism to become the main industry and replace the income and jobs lost with the decline of fishing.

Among the weaker points are:

the high level of investment costs◆◆

the inadequate transport conditions to and from ◆◆

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summer, the period of greater work opportunities in other areas.

Nevertheless, Ilulissat, a town of 5000 people in the north of Greenland, is booming. Around 15 000 tourists visited in 2006. Getting there has become much easier. In 2007 Air Greenland began commercial flights between Kangerlussuaq and Baltimore, USA.

The residents of Ilulissat are seeing the ‘benefits’ of global warming. A glacier next to a nearby zinc and lead mine has retreated since the site closed in 1990, exposing an outcrop of metal-rich ore. Ships supplying the only factory in town can now use the harbour throughout the winter. The warmer water seems to be bringing back the cod fishery as well. As a consequence of these changes and increased tourism, unemployment in the town is zero.

Other environmental impacts of global warming also include:

rising sea levels◆◆

flooding by meltwater◆◆

changes in reflectivity (albedo)◆◆

changes in economy.◆◆

limited mobility and inadequate accommodation ◆◆

facilities

the extremely short tourist season and the ◆◆

meteorological conditions

the lack of trained personnel ◆◆

low awareness ‘of tourism’ on the part of the local ◆◆

population.

The economy remains critically dependent on exports of fish and substantial support from the Danish government, which supplies about half of government revenues. The public sector, including publicly owned enterprises and the municipalities, plays the dominant role in the economy. Several interesting hydrocarbon and mineral exploration activities are ongoing. Press reports in early 2007 indicated that two international aluminium companies were considering building smelters in Greenland to take advantage of local hydropower potential. Tourism is the only sector offering any near-term potential, and even this is limited due to a short season and high costs.

Tourism remains a new industry; the Inuit people’s awareness of the industry is limited and there is a need for training. Key positions are currently occupied by Danes and the seasonal tourism activity coincides with

Questions

1 Suggest why people would want to visit Greenland.

2 What are the potential impacts of tourism in Greenland for:

a Greenland’s economy?

b Greenland’s environment?