We are aware how serious COVID-19 is and are working hard to save and rebuild Greenland’s tourism industry for the future.
Please click on the links for more information.
Webinars
Visit Greenland delivers a series of webinars focusing on developing and addressing the needs of the industry. For online resources for the industry, please visit our webinar page.
Guidelines
for interacting with tourists during different activities
Information from health authorities in Greenland
The Greenlandic health authority’s website www.nun.gl is the official website for information and knowledge about Coronavirus in Greenland. The information is based on current knowledge, but because the situation surrounding the novel Coronavirus is constantly developing, the site is continually being updated. We recommend that everyone follow developments on www.nun.gl.
Travellers from abroad to Greenland
If you are a Danish citizen and are travelling from a high risk area, it is recommended that you refrain from entering Greenland until 14 days have passed since you left the high risk area. See more on www.nun.gl.
If you have flu-like symptoms and are on the way back to Greenland (before boarding a flight to Greenland), you should contact the local health centre by telephone, and stay indoors until you receive instructions on further treatment. It could be that you may not continue travelling to Greenland until it is confirmed that you are not or no longer infected.
Passengers on Air Greenland’s flights from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq can risk being held in Kangerlussuaq if the cabin crew becomes suspicious that someone is infected.
Visit Greenland is working behind the scenes
We are aware of how drastic the COVID-19 situation is for the industry. Visit Greenland, together with the DMOs and other stakeholders are working hard trying to find ways to salvage and rebuild the tourism industry for the future. Some initiatives include solving immediate problems, but also planning for the future recovery:
Dialogue with the Industry and important stakeholders
- finding solutions and influence on how to get more funding and support for the tourism branch so they can carry out activities and survive, such as the tourism help package.
- Keep a dialogue with key stakeholders so we can draft plans together for the best interest of the Greenland industry
Skill development
- Developing further platforms that will allow tourism operators to improve their skills, such as digital proficiency and business development knowhow.
Reacting to closures and planning for tourism’s reopening
- communicating change, such as introducing a cancelled cruise call list
- planning optimal scenarios for the reopening of Greenland, and working on approach plans for our key markets which are severely hit by the crisis
- actively promote and develop domestic tourism opportunities such as the staycation project
- planning the framework for execution of the reopening such as Health and safety guidelines for tourists and tour providers
Risk of infection for tourist operators
As a tourist operator, you risk coming in close contact with people with flu-like symptoms, or who have recently been in one of the high risk areas. You should evaluate yourself whether you want to cancel a booking if a tourist is showing flu symptoms, or has recently been in one of the high risk areas. You and your customers should also follow the health authority’s hygiene guidelines for limiting the risk of infection:
Prevent transmission of the novel Coronavirus – COVID 19
The novel Coronavirus typically spreads in places with a lot of people, through handshakes, coughing and sneezing. Protect yourself and others with this advice.
- Wash your hands often and use hand sanitizer.
- Cough or sneeze in a tissue or your arm – not in your hands.
- Avoid spitting. This can be a source of contamination for others.
- Avoid shaking hands, kissing and hugging – limit physical contact.
- Pay attention to cleaning – both at home and at your place of work.
- Avoid being in places where there is close contact with a lot of people.