Ivik Knudssen-Ostermann, whose company operates boat tours to view stunning blue icebergs, shares that his bank has encouraged him to expand operations in anticipation of an influx of tourists following heightened interest in Greenland.
Recent comments from former U.S. President Donald Trump, along with the recent opening of a new international airport in Nuuk, have already increased tourist arrivals, with more expected.
"We’re already receiving significantly more bookings than we ever have before, largely thanks to Trump. He has really put Greenland back on the map," Knudsen-Ostermann, who runs Greenland Cruises, stated at the ice-filled harbor.
Greenland captured international attention in January when Donald Trump Jr. visited the newly opened Nuuk airport. Since then, discussions have arisen about the potential for the island's annexation by the U.S. due to its vast wealth in resources crucial for high-tech industries.
The country aims to use the new airports to bolster its tourism and mining sectors, diversifying its economy, which currently relies on fishing for 95% of its exports. The captivating landscapes, including vast ice sheets, glaciers, deep fjords, and abundant marine life—particularly whales—are primary attractions, along with a growing pride in local Inuit culture.
The airport in Nuuk, which opened in November, has simplified travel to the island. United Airlines plans to launch direct flights from New York to Nuuk in June, eliminating the need for tourists to connect through Copenhagen and transit at the former U.S. military base in Kangerlussuaq.
Ilulissat, Greenland's main tourist hub known for its UNESCO-listed ice fjord, is set to open a new international airport in 2026, while another airport is being built in Qaqortoq, southern Greenland.
"We anticipate significant growth this summer already," said Jens Lauridsen, CEO of Greenland Airports.
Despite his bank's suggestions for expansion, Knudsen-Ostermann remains cautious. "I want to see what the new airport brings and how 2025 unfolds. The future is uncertain, so I’m holding back a bit," he noted.
Statistics Greenland reported a 14% increase in international flight passengers in January compared to the previous year. The number of hotel nights has shown steady growth over the past decade, rising to 355,000 last year from 210,000 in 2014.
According to Visit Greenland, three-quarters of tourism operators reported an uptick in bookings in the three months following the opening of Nuuk's airport.
Danish tourist Lars Ipland expressed his desire to explore Greenland, stating, "It's a part of Denmark, so I thought I have to see it. With all the attention, you don't know what to expect next week or what decisions will be made."