In another curious tale of unintended consequences, Greenland could become the latest country to receive a boost to its tourism sector as a result of recent remarks made by US President, Donald Trump.
Greenland is an autonomous territory that sits between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans. Part of the Kingdom of Denmark, it operates under its own government with a high degree of self-rule. Classed as the world’s largest island but with a population of just 56,000 people, it has been in the news more than usual in recent weeks after President Trump mooted the idea of taking it over.
“For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity,” Trump wrote on the Truth Social network in December 2024.
US expansionism raising Greenland’s profile
It was not the first time the US has sought to expand and consolidate America’s powerbase in the North American Arctic – a project that started with the Alaska purchase in 1867. Neither is it the first time Trump himself has expressed interest in the territory, having already proposed to buy the land from Denmark in 2019. Then, it was a suggestion met with incredulity and opposition from Danish and Greenlandic officials and described as “absurd” by then Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen.
But Trump’s utterances since December 2024 have taken another turn, according to Anne Nivíka Grødem, CEO of Visit Greenland, who told Skift the President’s interest “raises Greenland’s profile globally” and that the tourism agency has since witnessed increasing traffic on its digital platforms.
Although Grødem acknowledges the media at attention comes with a risk of “inaccurate portrayals of Greenland”, she was quick to highlight the territory’s “unique cultural and natural experiences” which include volcanic scenery, fjords, basalt mountainscapes and the chance to see the northern lights.
“The world’s eyes are on us”
Tanny Por, a Visit Greenland colleague, told The Telegraph the agency was set to analyse the impact of Trump’s remarks on confirmed booking data, which a 2023 report has already shown indicates a shortage of rooms, especially in the summer season. “We are hoping that we will be able to use some of the attention to get more guests to Greenland. The world’s eyes are on us,” Por said at an Arctic tourism trade show.
Those additional eyeballs have coincided with the opening of a new international airport in Nuuk, and another set for 2026 in Ilulissat. The Nuuk facility means United Airlines is offering direct flights from New York to Greenland for the first time in summer 2025, and Scandinavian carrier SA, is also set to join Air Greenland and Icelandair in flying there.
It’s a situation causing some concern to stakeholders, who have pointed out the need for additional infrastructure and rooms to cater to the growing demand. There may be some relief in certain quarters therefore that Trump’s attention span currently also includes the potential US annexation of Canada, as well as control of the Panama Canal.
