TTO_September_2017_low

Travel Trade 

OuTbOund 

September 2017 - ISSUE #22 

Most exclusive hotel – only one room 

rade 

Scandinavia 

und 

Saying welcome to First Class 

Nordic success for cruises 

Travel Trade 

OuTbOund 

Scandinavia 

Important Dates 

Here is 

to learn 

Travel Trade 

OUTBOUND 

2017 

Stockholm Travel Show, Sept 12 

Helsinki Travel Show, Sept 13 

Copenhagen, Sept 16 Inaugural flight, Air India CPH-New Delhi 

Vestnorden Travel Mart, Nuuk, Greenland, Sept 19-21 

IT&CMA, Bangkok 26-28 Sept 

ITB Asia Singapore, October 18-20 

WTM London, Nov 7-9 

2018 

Matka, Jan 18-21 

Icelandair Mid-Atlantic Tradeshow, 

January 25-28 

Danish Travel Show, Herning, February 23-25 

ITB Berlin, March 7-11 

IT&CM China, Shanghai, March 20-22 

CTW China, Shanghai, March 20-22

THE KRANE? 

It’s a bird … it’s a plane … it’s a crane? 

Yes, and a luxe getaway, too! A Danish team has transformed a 

former coal crane in Copenhagen’s Nordhavn harbor into a spiffy 

two-person retreat, spa and meeting space called the Krane. 

The bedroom features all-black interiors, reminiscent of the 

structure’s gritty industrial past, while the spa boasts side-by-side 

soaking tubs overlooking the harbor. 

The innovative accommodation also provides a complimentary BMW 

i3, bikes and a concierge. 

This is not some humdrum hotel (from about $2,900). 

THE KRANE is an immersive, multi-sensory experience. Inside is exclusive Danish 

design in black in homage to its past as a coal crane. Outside is the sea, sky, harbour 

and panoramic views over Copenhagen. An inventive, cohesive concept in this private 

retreat for two. 

THE KRANE is an aesthetic oasis amidst an industrial landscape 

on the edge of Nordhavn, one of the last harbours under 

renovation in Denmark’s capital. Spearheaded by visionary 

owner Klaus Kastbjerg and architect / master builder Mads 

Møller from Arcgency, the concept builds on its dark past as 

a crane for loading coal by using black as the colour scheme 

throughout. Fostering a soothing sense of serenity inside this 

multi-tiered structure comprised of a reception area on the 

ground floor, a meeting room called the GLASS BOX on the 

first floor, a spa and terrace on the second floor, and a retreat 

on top called the KRANE ROOM with a lounge and terrace. 

It reflects Denmark’s less-is-more stance on luxury, where anything 

extraneous is eliminated favouring only what’s essential. 

Inside, the subdued black interior sets the scene like a 

picture frame for the unobstructed views over Copenhagen 

and beyond. 

Travel Trade 

OuTbOund 

Scandinavia 

Travel Trade 

OuTbOund 

Published by: Traveltrademedia.com, Copenhagen, Denmark. CVR DK29314055 

Managing editor: 

Carsten Elsted 

Travel editor: 

Carsten A. Andersen 

Contact: 

editor@ttoscandinavia.com 

Layout: 

Agnese Klavina

NEW MICE SUMMIT 

The Nordic MICE company CCMG has launched a new forum primarily for the Nordic MICE Market – 

The Nordic MICE Summit. 

The event will take place from, 8th to 10th March 2018, at Malmö’s new meeting place – The Clarion Hotel 

and Congress Malmö Live situated in the heart of the attractive and modern city of Malmö, Sweden just a 

few steps from the Central Station and just a glance away from Copenhagen (from the 25th floor). 

The event will host around 100 high level MICE Suppliers with a strong focus on the Nordics as well as 

app. 75 high potential MICE Buyers primarily from the Nordics but also from the rest of Europe, Lonni 

Gulliksen from CCMG said. 

Over the course of three days, a comprehensive program of speed date meetings, as well as carefully curated 

activities and events, will create a unique marketplace which will aim to encourage participants to build 

and maintain strong corporate networks and loyal business relationships within the Nordic MICE market. 

Success 

With an estimated number 

of more than 1 million cruise 

guests in 2017, Denmark are 

looking at the most fantastic 

year so far when it comes to 

cruise tourism. 

A period of zero growth in the number of 

cruises in Danish ports has stopped, and 

a positive turnaround has occurred. This 

was one of the key messages at the general 

meeting of the Danish cruise network 

Cruise Copenhagen. 

for Danish cruise tourism 

Here the positive development and the 

benefits from it were discussed by the 

members - and the network itself seems to 

be the key to at least some of the success. 

Ports, destinations and other actors 

within the cruise network are competitors 

but nonetheless they manage to stand 

together in the task of attracting the 

coveted cruise liners. 

To Søren Jespersen, the chairman of 

Cruise Copenhagen, this is significant to 

the organisation: 

“The cruise industry in Denmark is 

strengthening its position and recognition 

in society these years and with almost 

2,000 fulltime jobs it has taken a 

standpoint in Danish growth. That has a 

lot to do with the fact that our members 

understand that working side by side in 

a joint effort in order to make ourselves 

competitive with other destinations is the 

way to move forward,” Søren Jespersen 

says. 

Director of Cruise Copenhagen, Claus 

Bødker, agrees and states: “This year 

we celebrate the 25th jubilee of our 

organisation which also is one of the 

oldest of its kind in the world. By working 

together about subjects from as different 

areas as raising money to improve the 

tourist information to gaining better 

media exposure of our cruise products, we 

succeed in attracting more guests and at 

the same time delivering the best possible 

product to our guests,” Claus Bødker says. 

4 

>> Travel Trade OUTBOUND - Scandinavia

BOARDING PASS 

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ORGANISATION 

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Almost full house 

There was almost a full house when 

Singapore Airlines launched its new 

Boeing 777-300 ER on the route between 

Copenhagen and Singapore. 

For the first time in many years with four 

first class seats, which cost 7,500 Euro each. 

The plane has fewer seats than the previous 

Challenge 

"There is good demand for Business and 

Premium, but we have not yet sold First 

Class. It will be a challenge," says Niklas 

Mattsson, CEO, and Åsa Melander, 

Marketing Manager, AOBtravel.se, Sweden 

to Alan Hoffery, Sales Manager. Nordics, 

Singapore Airlines. 

Flies like a dream 

Thomas Woldbye, CEO, Copenhagen 

Airport, told Captain Chng Kiat Leng 

and two flight attendants that Singapore 

Airlines started in 1977 in Copenhagen. 

At that time the plane should go down in 

Athens, Tehran and Sri Lanka Now the 

flight is direct and takes about 12-13. 

"The plane is only one year old and flies like 

a dream," says the captain. 

aircraft. But it ois a better business for 

Singapore Airlines because there are fewer 

Economy and more at First, Business and 

the new Premium. 

The aircraft has 264 seats. First departure 

had 224 passengers, 2 First Class (4), 28 

Business (48), 28 Premium (28) Sold Out 

Happy 

Erwin Widjaja, General Manager Nordics 

and Subhas Menon, Regional Vice 

President, Europe, Singapore Airlines, is 

happy with the search for the new product 

from Copenhagen, Premium Economy 

Class. "It provides extra seat width, 

comfort, larger screens, and the option of 

Book-the-Cook order on the way home 

from Singapore compared with Economy," 

says Erwin Widjaja. 

Wishlist 

"I've never tried to fly on First Class, but 

I would love to do it. I've only been on 

a transfer in Singapore, so it's also high 

on my wishlist," says Camilla Henriette 

Melbye, Project Manager. Eventful, Oslo, 

Norway, while sheis trying the new First 

Class at Copenhagen Airport. 

and 176 Economy (184). 

"There are two milestones with the new 

departure. Singapore Airlines celebrates 

40th anniversary in Copenhagen and we 

insert a new flight," said Subhas Menon, 

regional Vice President Europe, London, 

Singapore Airlines. 

Worth the money 

Søren Mielow, Ship Engineer, Denmark, 

who works for Teekay Shipping in Stavanger, 

Norway, became the first passenger in First 

Class on the Singapore - Copenhagen route. 

"It was a great experience. Not only the 

flight, but also the check in in Singapore, 

the private lounge at the airport and food 

at Noma level," says Søren Mielow. "I gave 

38,000 DKK for Business out and First Class 

home. But it was worth the money, so it's not 

the last time I'm flying First Class. 

Søren Mielow emphasizes that it is not 

Teekay's travel policy to fly First Class. So he 

had to pay extra for the experience. 

100 times 

Jesper Boas Smith, CEO, Bella Vista, Travel 

House, Copenhagen is veteran when it 

comes to flight on First Class. 

The cruise specialist has flown up 100 times 

on First Class, and while he was a film man 

once a month for five years with Concorde 

to New York He prefers seat 1 A or 2 A. 

6 


Travel Trade 

OuTbOund 

September 2017 

SPECIAL EDITION 

rade 

Scandinavia 

und 

VESTNORDEN 

TRAVEL MART 2017 

Travel Trade 

OuTbOund 

Scandinavia

Dear participants, 

Welcome to Vestnorden 

Travel Mart 2017 

This business-to-business trade show is an annual marketplace 

jointly promoting the three West Nordic countries Iceland, 

the Faroe Islands and Greenland. Several hundred buyers and 

sellers meet during two intensive days to focus on tourism trade 

in the West Nordic Region. 

As a new or returning buyer, this trade show offers you an indepth, 

professional introduction to the unique experiences and 

products offered by these three distinctive countries. Here you 

can meet and do business with representatives from key players 

in the region at a single event. 

As a supplier you are offered a marketplace, where all buyers 

have a specific interest in the West-nordic region. It is an optimal 

opportunity for you to present your products to a primed and 

highly motivated group of customers. 

Nothing beats a good first hand experience, so this year we have 

offered pre-tours to Greenland's 5 tourism regions as well as 

post-tours to Iceland and the Faroe Islands. 

Whether you are buying or selling, VNTM is also a valuable 

framework for networking. We have therefore chosen to 

enhance networking opportunities by adding a new element 

that we call Colourful Nuuk Adventures. Colourful Nuuk 

Adventures combine activities and networking in smaller 

groups in and around Nuuk. 

Following the Keynote and traditional Country Presentations 

you have the opportunity to choose between three different 

45 minute sessions. Each session will start with presentations 

followed by a chance for all participants to ask questions or 

join the discussion. The session topics for the VNTM 2017 

Conference are: 

• Tools provided by the Tourist Boards for Operators 

• Safety and Quality Standards 

• Market Research and Statistics – What’s in it for you? 

We hope you find the new initiatives refreshing and useful. 

On behalf of Visit Greenland it is a great pleasure to welcome 

you to this year's VNTM in Nuuk. 

Lykke Yakaboylu, Acting Managing Director 

Photo Mads Pihl , Visit Greenland 

8 


www.airgreenland.com 

qaanaaq 

arctic circle 

upernavik 

uummannaq 

ittoqqortoormiit 

qeqertarsuaq 

aasiaat 

ilulissat 

qasigianguit 

copenhagen - dk 

keflavik - is 

sisimiut 

kangerlussuaq 

maniitsoq 

tasiilaq 

keflavik - is 

We fly to 

all corners 

nuuk 

paamiut 

narsaq 

nanortalik 

narsarsuaq 

qaqortoq 

copenhagen - dk 

of Greenland 

Same-day connections from Copenhagen 

to 12 major destinations in Greenland 

Air Greenland takes you all the way 

to your final destination in Greenland. 

We fly to over 30 towns and settlements 

around the country, and know 

every corner of this vast land. 

Take a trip to the ice cap, hear the 

thunder of an iceberg cracking and 

feel the warmth of the midnight 

sun. Adventure is waiting for you 

everywhere in Greenland. 

Air Greenland · Email: reservation@airgreenland.gl · Tel: +299 34 34 34

Stamps as tourism marketing 

Together with the other Nordic countries 

Greenland has published a Food Culture 

stamp theme. 

Tele-Post in Greenland is a part of this 

Nordic cooperation and depict a popular 

culinary speciality from Greenland: 

Capelin and mat tak (raw whale skin). 

The artist Bolatta Silis-Høegh has designed 

these two stamps: 

“Capelin and mattak are the first two 

things I think of, when talking about 

our food culture in Greenland. The tiny 

creature and the giant creature. Both has 

been crucial to survive in the Arctic.” 

Tele-Post also to promotes Greenland as 

a tourism destination, when finding new 

themes for the stamps. 

Allan Pertti Frandsen, in charge of 

product development at Tele-Post’s 

philatelic department: 

“We try to find the most illustrative 

angles of the culture in Greenland. It can 

be the food, the history, sports, industrial 

development etc.” 

The department designed to deal with 

orders for collective stamps, first day 

covers, envelops etc. is located philatelic 

bureau in Tasiilaq in East Greenland. 

Every time this town is visited by cruise 

ships we stay open to sell collectibles, 

souvenirs, postcards and stamps,and each 

time we sell for five digit amount in DKK. 

Travel Award to prize-winners 

The three winders from last year CEO 

Johannes Jensen from Gist & Vist, 

Faroe Islands with the Vestnorden 

Travel Award, the middle Erik 

Bjerregaard from Arctic Hotel and 

Árni B. Stefánsson, from Inside the 

Volcano in Iceland. 

Greenland also issues stamps in the annual EUROPA series lauched by PostEurop. In 2017 the 

common theme is Castles. Well, since Greenland does not have any castles, look what the creative 

staff of Tele-Post and the artist Buuti Pedersen, did with these two stamps. 

Greenland fashion has also been depicted on the stamps. 

The annual tourist exhibition and workshop Vestnorden Travel Mart 

offers regular news when incoming operators from Greenland, the 

Faroe Islands and Iceland arrive at the capital of Greenland Nuuk to 

present their products to buyers from all over the world. 

This year Vestnorden Travel Award will be given to someone in each of 

the three countries. 

Behind the initiative are Carsten Elsted, publisher of the trade journal 

TTO Scandinavia for the Nordic travel industry and also creator of the 

Danish Travel Award for almost 20 years ago. 

“Time has come to give recognition to the actors in the West Nordic 

region operating in an increasingly difficult and competitive market 

and it seems a very good occasion to give out this new award. 

Everyone has the opportunity to suggest a person, a company or 

organization rooted in tourism. The criteria for being chosen are that 

the candidates have made an innovative, responsible or sustainable 

move. 

The recipients of this year’s awards will be presented during the West 

Nordic Travel Mart opening reception on Tuesday Septemper 19. 

A vikingship will be given with plaquette to each of the 

three winners of the Vestnorden Travel Award. 

Dogsleeding 

is 

a fun sport. 

Also the 

tourists is 

designed 

on the 

Greenland 

stamps. 

10 


Jørgen S. Bay-Kastrup, CEO, Hotel Hans Egede, Nuuk: 

We don’t want 

“A shot in the foot.” 

‘Facilitated by Sermersooq Business/ 

Colourful Nuuk the tourist industry in 

Nuuk has had another and increasing 

focus on sale and marketing within the 

last couple of years. Also including FAM 

trips hosted and arranged by local actors, 

and the result is visible. 

Every year we see new tour operator 

bringing guests to Nuuk, and the 

number of guests is also 

increasing. 

But we still keep our 

summer prices low. We 

will wait to the growth 

has well anchored, 

before we look upon 

rates. Otherwise it is "A 

shot in the foot’’, says 

Jørgen Bay-Kastrup, 

CEO, Hotel Hans Egede 

in Nuuk, Greenland. 

With 156 rooms the 

four-star hotel Hans 

Egede named after Hans 

Egede is the largest hotel 

in Nuuk. The hotel is 

located on the main street, Aqqusinersuaq. 

There are two restaurants in the hotel and 

one bar, the Skyline Bar, which is located 

on the top storey and which has a view 

over Nuuk. 

The hotel can accommodate conferences 

of up to 350 people. 

10 million Euros 

“After more than two years of expansion 

and renovation the hotel for more than € 

10 million, it's time to take a little breath 

making the 'new' hotel works and finding 

the ways of the optimize it,” says Jørgen 

Bay-Kastrup. 

“Next summer it's time to look at the 

meeting and banquet rooms on the fifth 

floor for a brush up. 

The new conference facilities have been 

very well acknowledged by our customers 

and guests showing that Carl Juhl and 

Helge Tang, owners of the hotel, made the 

right decisions some five years ago seeing 

the new market and possibilities. 

We see a significant growth in our 

conference business and that is only due to 

the expansion. Also our high technology 

for video meetings gives us advantages. 

Air condition in the new meeting rooms 

gives us a plus on the score board, too. 

However it’s still a long run to get more 

After more than two years of expansion and renovation for 

more than € 10 million, Hotel Hans Egede takes a break before 

new renovation next summer. 

international MICE 

activities as going to 

Greenland cost you almost 

two extra days of travel. But 

we see increasing interest. 

To strengthen our efforts 

on the MICE market, we 

had a cooperation with 

Arctic Hotel, Ilulissat at the 

‘’Møde og Event Messen’’ in 

March in Copenhagen, and 

it is keen for us to keep this 

cooperation to be even more 

visible in a tough market,” 

says Jørgen Bay-Kastrup. 

Water Taxi 

“Internet is extremely expensive in 

Greenland, but nevertheless we decided to 

make Wi-Fi free for all hotel guests giving 

the hotel a better position in the market. It 

has been very well accepted. 

To be even better to supply the visitors 

with more experiences I’m very pleased to 

welcome Nuuk Water Taxi as a new local 

operator, showing that people outside 

Nuuk also believe in future growth.” 

“How does the future look like for Hotel 

Hans Egede? 

“It’s now almost 30 years ago when Helge 

Tang and Carl Juhl opened the hotel with 

approx. 90 rooms. Noon of them is getting 

any younger, in fact Carl has passed the 70 

and Helge is getting closer to, so of course 

the two owners consider what the future 

will bring,” says Jørgen Bay-Kastrup. 

New Airport 

“A new airport in Nuuk will be a game 

change. We expect a significant growth 

in tourism the day the new airport opens, 

to Nuuk, to all of Greenland and to the 

hotel. 

Currently, Nuuk Airport's runway is 900 

meters long. The new airport is scheduled 

to have a runway of 2199 meters. This 

“It’s still a long run to get more international MICE activities as 

going to Greenland cost you almost two extra days of travel. But 

we see increasing interest,” says Jørgen Bay-Kastrup, CEO, Hotel 

Hans Egede in Nuuk, Greenland. 

means that even large aircraft, including 

Airbus 330, can land in Nuuk. 

The new airport in Nuuk is scheduled for 

2021 - 2022. Everyone is waiting for the 

new airport. 

The sooner the better,” says Jørgen Bay- 

Kastrup. 

12 


Adventure 

awaits 

Book your day tour 

online and explore 

our north 

ISAFJORDUR 

Dynjandi and the 

Westfjords 

EGILSSTADIR 

Riding adventure 

and waterfalls 

MYVATN 

Lakes and landscapes 

in the North 

KULUSUK 

An 8-hour hike in 

remarkable Greenland 

WE KNOW THE NORTH. 

AND WE’D LIKE TO INTRODUCE 

YOU TO EVERY NOOK AND 

CRANNY. ARE YOU READY? 

Look for even more adventures online. 

They’re hiding in plain sight. 

www.airicelandconnect.com/tours

“We will be adding in one more Q200 aircraft to our fleet by the beginning of next year. 

This addition will enable us to improve frequency and reliability,” says Arni Gunnarsson, 

Managing Director, Air Iceland Connect. 

More regional Vestnorden routes 

”The changes in our fleet to three Bombardier Q 400 and two 

Q 200, which we implemented last year, have been very well 

received by our passengers. 

They like the comfort and the higher speed of the Q400 compared 

to the older Fokker 50. The high speed aircraft has given us 

the option of expanding our routenetwork further with UK 

destinations. 

We are indeed satisfied with the Q400. Customers like them a 

lot and depending on our further development we could foresee 

more aircrafts coming into our fleet. 

Regarding the Q200, which are unique in its short field runway 

performance, we will be adding in one more aircraft of that type 

to our fleet by the beginning of next year. 

This addition will enable us to improve frequency and reliability 

particularly on our Greenlandic destinations on the West Coast 

i.e. Nuuk and Ilulissat,” says Arni Gunnarsson, Managing 

Director, Air Iceland Connect. 

“We are building up on the new route from Keflavik to Akureyri 

which we started last spring. We have had very good response 

to this new option of flying directly after arrival in Keflavík to 

Akureyri. This new whole year operation opens up new possiblities 

of connections with all arrivals and departures from Keflavík and 

saves on travelling time particularely for European travellers who 

now do not need an extra night in Reykjavík before departure.“ 

”You have changed your name to Air Iceland Connect. Why? 

Where does the name come from? How has the name been received 

by the customers?” 

“We have so far used two names and that is confusing for 

our customers. We therefore have decided to go for only one 

international name Air Iceland (which we have been using for 

over 20 years) with the addition of Connect which describes the 

function of our operation. 

”Is that the way development goes, saying goodbye to a local name 

(Flugfélag Íslands) and switching to a more international English 

name?” 

“We thought about many options, but with building on the 

name which we have already been using and keeping Iceland 

in our name we find that we have a strong brand to built on.“ 

”The new name could be interpreted as if you would like to stand 

more on your own compared to Icelandair?" 

”No it is actually not thought in that way. With our new 

destinations in the UK, which are being market by Icelandair, 

we have more cooperation with Icelandair than ever before and 

we do plan on expanding the cooperation even further.” 

”You are writing that Air Iceland has a new name and a new 

vision. What is the new vision?” 

”Our Vision is to give our customers an „Inspirational Icelandic 

Travel Adventure. “ 

Our route network truly offer destinations which are 

inspirational and offer adventure at the same time we are 

focusing on our routes being Icelandic. 

”We have implemented the ISO14001 environmental 

certification which we are very proud of and we are also part of 

the icelandic environmental system Vakinn, so we do take our 

environmental responsibilities seriously in all our operation.” 

”How is Air Iceland Connect relative to other airlines and how 

far have you reached?” 

”We have not benchmarked us related to others but as Nature 

is the main attraction for tourist arriving to Iceland it is in our 

gens to be concerned about our „foot print“ and how we can 

reduce that as much as possible.” 

“How many of Air Iceland Connects customers are tourists and 

business?” 

”On our domestic routes approximately 40% are business 

travelers, but on our internationals routes the leisure traffic is 

dominant with around 80%,” says Arni Gunnarsson. 

14 


Hotel Arctic - Greenland - Ilulissat 

New facilities - new services 

Extended 

dining area in 

Restaurant Ulo 

Outdoor rooms 

Loop Fitness 

On demand massage 

We are constantly working to improve 

your Arctic experience. 

Tikilluarit / Welcome 

Ilulissat 

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

4-star hotel / 5-star conference facilities 

www.hotelarctic.com

ICELANDAIR 

Icelandair’s bidding program to move to Economy Comfort 

or Saga Class, called “Class Up,” is in the sense that invitations 

to bid on upgrades will be sent 10 days before the departure 

of qualifying flights. However, Icelandair’s bidding policy 

stands apart with respect to group bookings. Although only 

one email will be sent per booking, any accepted upgrades 

will apply to the entire party and the credit card will be 

charged accordingly. 

For example, if a couple is traveling together and made the 

booking together, an accepted offer of $75, for example, will 

actually go through as $150 and the couple will be upgraded 

together. For passengers traveling together as a family, this is 

a great perk! 

Panorama windows at six 

to seven square meters 

Icelandair expects four million passengers in 2017. 

It is an increase of 450,000 compared to 2016. 

"When the eight converted rooms at the 

Sømandshjemmet in Nuuk have been completed, it 

will have an amazing view of the harbor and the sea. 

In the eight rooms, large panoramic windows come 

from floor to ceiling and from wall to wall. Glass all 

the way, around Six - Seven square meters, and when 

the containers have moved to the new port, the view 

to the sea is free. We are very excited about it, "says 

Erik Ramballe Hansen, Business Manager of Three 

Sømandshjem, which is also three star hotels in Nuuk, 

Sisimiut and Aasiaat in Greenland. 

"The occupancy of the three hotels is above average and 

with very good results on the bottom line. It has given 

us more courage. We are renovating and modernizing 

continuously, and we work very concretely with a 

new Sømandshjem in Greenland's third-largest city 

Ilulissat in West Greenland. 

It will be a hotel with 70 rooms. The total expenses have 

been estimated at around 90 million. It is somewhat 

more expensive to build in Greenland than elsewhere, 

"says Erik Hansen. 

"When we are interested in Ilulissat, it is due to two 

things: There is a shortage of hotel rooms in high 

season because more and more tourists come. The 

ICELAND PLEDGE 

Over 16,000 people have signed a pledge to travel more 

responsibly in Iceland since it was launched last month. 

Destination marketing organisation launched ‘The Icelandic 

Pledge’ - an online agreement enabling tourists to sign onto 

a series of commitments for when visiting the North Atlantic 

Island. The pledge also serves to promote the country as a 

destination, since its language combines positive descriptions 

of the Icelandic tourist experience with exhortations towards 

responsible travel. These include: “When I explore new places, 

I will leave them as I found them.” “I will follow the road into 

the unknown, but never venture off the road.” “When I sleep 

out under the stars, I’ll stay within a campsite.” “And when 

nature calls, I won’t answer the call on nature.” 

The most popular activity in 

Sisimuit is dog sledding. A dog 

sledding trip can take two hours, 

four hours or a 7-hour full day trip. 

high season is already sold out in January - February. 

And Ilulissat is a big fishing port where we can meet our goal to offer diacones and 

welfare in the harbor community. The hotels are owned by the Sømandsmission, 

which is a non-profit organization. Therefore we are looking for funding for the 

new sailor's home, which we hope to begin building in 2018 and be completed 

in 2020/21. We are working to find the right location." 

"We also plan to build a new wing with 15-20 rooms for Sømandshjemmet in 

Nuuk within the next 5 years," says Erik Hansen. 

The three hotels in Greenland have 122 rooms, 42 in Nuuk, 48 in Aasiaat and 

32 in Sisimiut. 

Wi-Fi 

"At the moment, the price for Wi-Fi at Sømandshjemmet in Nuuk is symbolic 

10 DKK in the cheapest rooms, while it is free in all other rooms. At the other 

two hotels it costs 50 - 60 DKK for one hour and 130 DKK for five hours. It's an 

annoyance that customers have to pay for Wi-Fi, and many international guests 

are not used to paying for Wi-Fi. They do not understand that they have to pay 

in Greenland where Wi-Fi also can be slow and unstable. 

We would also like to avoid charging Wi-Fi. But we have huge expenses to 

Teleselskabet and they have to be covered. 

In Aasiaat alone, the cost of the internet is approximately 250,000 DKK annually. 

We hope to get a submarine Cable that is expected to finish in December 2017, 

and the goal is that Wi-Fi should be free, "says Erik Hansen. 

Some of the hotels activities are excursions. 

"The most popular excursion in Sisimuit is dog sledding, where you drive about 

25 km on dog sledding. An excursion last about four hours. There are two to 

three participants. They are active on the sled. They are not allowed to drive the 

sled, it is a job for the professional dog sledder. 

But they help when a sledge is to be braked or over a hill. 

In Aasiaat there is a whale watching, where you can almost see the whales in 

the water right outside the hotel's windows. They eat and bolster themselves. In 

Nuuk it is city walk with a good guide to the many old historical buildings and 

places. But we have many other activities that we convey to the guests, including 

ice fishing, snowmobile tours, hiking, kayaking, helicopter tours, diving trips 

and storytelling, "says Erik Hansen. 

16 


THE COOLEST 

CONFERENCE HOTEL 

HOTEL HANS EGEDE 4-STAR HOTEL WITH A 5-STAR CONFERENCE CENTRE 

Phone +299 32 42 22 | booking@HHE.gl | restaurant@HHE.gl | conference@HHE.gl | www.HHE.gl

Iceland as a stepping 

stone to Greenland – 

now all year around 

Air Greenland is now upgrading the 

route to Iceland to whole year instead 

of only during the summer season. 

Maliina Abelsen, CCO Air Greenland: 

“We have decided to prolong the route with the winter season too, and with our 

schedule, you can fly in from Iceland up to three times a week in the High Season. 

The uniqueness of our product is that we can fly the tourists direct from Keflavik 

international airport to Nuuk, an Arctic Capitol, and from there to the ice fjords 

in the North to the green arctic landscapes in the South. We show the diversity 

of Greenland” 

With Air Greenland’s new flights to and from Iceland it is possible to experience 

the most essential sights in Greenland within 3-4 days; Kangerlussuaq, the capitol 

Nuuk and Ilulissat. 

Kangerlussuaq is a stepping stone to the Inland Ice, and as a small settlement 

surrounded by nature, Kangerlussuaq gives the tourist’s every possibility of peace 

and quiet. 

Nuuk as an arctic capitol has a lot to offer, which the buyers at Vestnorden Travel 

Mart will experience with more than 25 different experiences during the travel mart: 

Take a boat trip and go hiking in second largest fjord system in the world behind 

Nuuk – see with steep mountains, narrow sounds, icebergs and breathtaking 

landscapes. In the disused settlement of Qooqqut there are guest houses and an 

exquisite restaurant that is happy to cook your own catch. And Nuuk itself has lots of 

unforgettable experiences, lovely neighbourhoods, museums and good restaurants. 

In Nuuk, the tourists are going to visit the national museum with its unique 

collections, also going to a fur workshop. Here they make the beautiful national 

costume. A visit to a local family will 

give the guests a feeling of what life is 

like in modern Greenland. 

In Illulissat a must see is the unique Ice 

Fjord Eqi, a UNESCO Heritage site with 

icebergs ever floating in the water. The 

city offers both hiking and boat trips to 

Eqi, and the Hotel Arctic offers award 

winning comfort in both the restaurant 

and accommodation. 

Maliina Abelsen: “Greenland has 

weeks of breath taking adventure to 

offer, but if you only have a short time 

to see the wonders of our country, Air 

Greenland can give you that experience 

with our new routes. 

- And remember the thrill of a dog sledge 

ride and the lit up sky by the Northern 

lights, also makes Greenland is a year 

round destination. 

Flightseeing 

The helicopter is a new hit for Air 

Greenland in the tourism business. 

Flightseeing over Nuuk A helicopter 

flight to the mountain near Nuuk, 

Kingittorsuaq (Hjortetakken) where 

pax land on the southern summit, a 

summit of 2.947 fod (898 meter) over sea 

level with a stunning view to Sermitsiaq, 

Nuukfjord, Nuuk city, harbour 

entry, into Ameralikfjord and towards 

the northern summit of Kingittorsuaq. 

Or maybe Fly like a bird and have the 

chance to capture some memorable 

photos from the colourful capital. The 

landscape changes with the season and 

not two days are alike. 

Also heli-skiing is now on top of the 

mind for the skiers, who during the 

winter or summer want a more special 

experience. 

The helicopters can now be book on the 

airline´s website. 

18 


The Faroe Islands 

await you 

Vagar Airport 

proudly serves 

an ambitious nation 

Iceland: 1 h 

New York: 5h 40m 

• Located in the middle of the North Atlantic, the Faroe Islands, have invested 

heavily in developing Vagar Airport and the Faroese tourism-industry. 

Denmark: 1h 50m 

• Three and four star hotels and a five star conference hotel 

• A strong economy and record low unemployment lay the foundation for a 

strong outbound demand and a growing inbound demand – creating a healthy 

mix of leisure and business-traffic. 

London: 1h 50m 

Paris: 2h 

Frankfurt: 2h 10m 

Milano: 3h 

www.fae.fo 

1799 meter runway, new light configuration and new navigational instruments and a 

new terminal. The total passenger-figure in 2011 was 203,499 passengers. The total 

passenger-figure for 2016 was 292,393 passengers. 

Come and be part 

of the success

Hotel Arctic, Ilulissat, Greenland: 

Same price level in 2018 

"Of course, you have to optimize your 

business. But you do not have to be greedy. 

One has to give customers value for money. 

Rather give people a good experience as 

they feel they would have paid more for, 

than people feel you are stealing money 

from them. 

Greenland has previously had the 

reputation of being an expensive tourist 

destination. We do not want Greenland 

to have that reputation. We do not want 

to follow Iceland's bad example, where 

everything has become so expensive. 

Therefore, we have kept the same price 

level for rooms in 2017, and we will also 

keep the same price level for rooms 

throughout 2018, "says Erik Bjerregaard, 

General Manager, Hotel Arctic, Ilulissat, 

Greenland. 

"There will be a little price adjustments 

for food and beverages. We pay 135,000 

Euro a year to bring food and drinks 

to Greenland. Shipping companies and 

airlines have price increases and it will 

reflect in the price to our customers. 

The hotel shuttle to / from the airport 

as well as between the hotel and the city 

center will also be free for our guests in 

2018. Free access to Wi-Fi with unlimited 

use has provided extra-satisfied guests. 

Eventually this service is as natural as the 

water is expected to get out of the taps, 

"says Erik Bjerregaard. 

Hotel Arctic had a profit of 941,000 Euro 

before tax in 2016. "It will not get worse in 

2018," says Erik Bjerregaard. 

Outdoor Rooms 

"The hotel has occupancy of 77 

percent. However, our mountain 

rooms - or Outdoor Rooms - a total 

of five from last year have had the 

best occupancy rate by almost 100 

percent. Guests are excited about 

the privacy and the proximity to 

nature from the small terrace. As 

the English name says, you have to 

move outside why we have limited 

use period due to the weather, 

which is the same reason why the 

igloos are not used all year round. 

However, we have decided that from 

this year we will also keep outdoor 

rooms open for reservations in the month 

of October incl. 

We have "chased" extra for these mountain 

rooms, among other things. We use socalled 

"intelligent glass" between the 

bathroom and the sleeping area. When 

the plug is on, the glass will not be 

transparent which may be beneficial in 

certain situations. 

In addition, there is a minibar, Nespresso 

machine and adjustable beds, allowing 

you to enjoy the views directly. The whole 

decor has been conceived alongside 

my longstanding collaboration team 

Furniture Team, "says Erik Bjerregaard. 

Royalty visit 

"I cannot say who it is, but this year we 

will have a royal visit from Denmark 

and Jordan. There will also be film 

crew who will "shoot" movies for 

many purposes. We have had visit 

from many high-ranking people for 

example in connection with climate 

meetings. It raises awareness of the 

hotel and makes Greenland publicly 

featured in foreign media, "says Erik 

Bjerregaard. 

"A new restaurant section has been 

put into operation at the beginning 

of July, capacity has increased by 

50%, and we can now fulfill far more 

reservations, which, in particular, give 

greater satisfaction to the guest. However, 

the space cannot be expanded in our Café 

Ferdinand, so we have to introduce 1st and 

2nd seating in the high season. 

In the high season on Mondays we offer 

The price of hotel rooms at the hotel Arctic has been 

stocked in 2017 and they will not rise in 2018. 

Photo: Michael Stentved – Stentved Photography. 

the "Greenlandic Evening Buffet" and on 

Saturdays "Greenlandic Barbeque". On 

Mondays, what can be picked up from 

seafood from the cold Arctic waters, but 

also tastes of reindeer and musk meat. 

On Saturdays there is a barbecue on our 

large terrace with the floating icebergs as 

a backdrop. Here there is a wide range of 

meat, including homemade lamb, beef, 

and whale meat as well as most land 

animals. In addition, there are exciting 

and different accessories including 

seaweed salad. 

There is also a growing focus on our 

gourmet section, restaurant Ulo, which is 

Hotel Arctic's five Outdoor Rooms with a private 

terrace and direct access to the fells outside has been 

overwhelmingly well received by the guests. 

The occupancy rate has been close to 100. 

Photo: Michael Stentved – Stentved Photography. 

selected as the Greenlandic restaurant, to 

represent Greenland, is in a high-profile 

book about 30 selected restaurants in the 

Kingdom of Denmark. The book will be 

published this fall, "says Erik Bjerregaard. 

Congresses 

"Demand for our five-star conference 

center is growing steadily from customers 

in Greenland, but unfortunately we do not 

register the same enthusiasm for Denmark 

in particular. It is as if in Denmark it 

might be a bit more extravagant to travel 

to Greenland than, for example, choosing 

a destination around the Mediterranean. 

We are extremely pleased with a good 

trend in this area from the domestic 

market. We constantly are updating the 

technology in our conference center as well 

as the software components are constantly 

improving, "says Erik Bjerregaard. 

20 


ICELANDAIR’S FLYING GLACIER 

TAKES YOU THERE 

n One checked bag always included 

n Free seat selection 

n Free meals for children 

n Complimentary non-alcoholic beverages 

n Wi-fi on board 

n Individual entertainment system 

Stopover in Iceland for up to seven days at 

no additional airfare to/from North America.

NEW HOTEL TO TORSHAVN 

A new hotel will open in Torshavn later this year called Havgrím 

Seaside Hotel 1948 

It was the private estate for the CO of the Danish defence on 

the islands, usually referred to as the “Kommandørhuset”. 

When the house was sold last year, it was owned by the Faroese 

government. Lis Eklund and her daughter Beinta Rasmussen 

bought the house earlier this year. 

Lis Eklund: “We are renovating the house completely now and 

hope to finish before the end of the year. At first we plan on 

being a 3-star garni hotel with a reception and 14 double-rooms 

serving breakfast. Maybe later we will make a café or restaurant, 

also in the house." 

All 14 rooms have a seaside view towards the island of Nolsoe 

or the harbour. 

The rack price will be around 1300-1700 DKK, depending on 

the season. 

Lis and Beinta are also the owners of Kaffehusid (The Coffeehouse) 

in the harbour of Torshavn. Lis is a former hotelmanager. 

Speakers:Transform your life 

The keynote speakers at the Vestnorden 

Travel Mart have defined a new concept 

of travel. 

Both as an individual or in a group. 

It is called “transformal travel” and 

the speakers Jake Haupert and Michael 

Bennett, two of the founding members 

of the Transformational Travel Council 

(TTC). 

Jake Haupert: “Travel has the potential to 

transform your life. When we explore new 

cultures and places, engage with different 

people, push our physical limitations, and 

challenge long-held personal beliefs, we 

travel like HEROs: 

With Heart, Engagement, Resolve, and 

Openness. By doing so, our perspectives 

of self, others, and the world shift, and 

our actions and behaviors become 

more conscious, intentional, and 

purpose-driven. In other words, 

we become the HERO of our own 

lives and begin to transform the 

lives of those around us. That is 

the transformational power of 

travel!” 

“Transformal travel?In a word: a 

catalyst. It is a trip, an experience, 

which has so profound an impact 

on a person that it ignites some 

fire inside and sets into motion a 

domino effect of changes in their whole 

being.” 

“Without having yet been to Greenland, 

Iceland and the Faroe Islands, what do 

you sense is transformational about our 

destinations?” 

“ I think mostly it is going to be about the 

sense of community and orienting the 

people in the place. In all three places, 

there just seems to be this strong sense 

of honouring the past while still creating 

a future; it is timeless. Not to mention, 

just being amongst the impressive nature 

and experiencing solitude and perhaps 

harshness is a good way to remind oneself 

that you are just one single person, trying 

to make a little dent in the world. It gives 

perspective” 

Transformational travel is any travel 

experience that inspires people to make 

meaningful changes in their lives, and 

thus, TTC puts the utmost importance on 

the principles of mindfulness, openness 

and intentionality with respect to travel. 

Together, the two speakers will 

introduce the fascinating concept 

of transformational travel and will 

challenge you to evaluate your own 

travel experiences and what made them 

significant or not. Finally, they will give 

their analysis on what strengths the Faroe 

Islands, Greenland, and Iceland have 

that make our lands transformational 

destinations for your guests. 

In summary, TTC wants to teach travelers 

“how to translate the cool stuff experienced 

and the lessons learned, back to real life,” 

so that folks can become “better global 

citizens” who remain tuned into nature, 

their environment, their immediate 

community and the world at large. 

Bennett explains the aim is “coming home 

transformed, acting and living differently 

than before.” Perhaps most importantly, 

the organization adamantly believes in 

a positive, trickle-down effect that can 

impact the traveler’s entire network, 

potentially touching even those unable to 

leave hometown soil. 

22 


Unforgettable 

you can leave the islands, 

but never forget them 

visitfaroeislands.com/meetings

This is a glimpse from Vagar Island 

Vagar first stop 

The isle of Vágar has, among other actives, the largest lakes, valleys 

and is very well suited for outdoor activities whether you are to 

extreme sport or easy trips. 

Also here is the best place for horse riding, fishing and trekking. 

Here is a suggestion what to do in a day: 

The Old Mail Man Route over the mountain to Gásadal is one 

of the most sought after hikes. It will take the hikers through a 

rigorous climb that will literally take the breath away, before 

descending into the village of Gásadalur, it is possible to able to 

enjoy the spectacular view of Múlafossur waterfall. 

Another alternative is a sailing trip on the Lake with Lakeside to 

the Bøsdalafossur waterfall, where it is possible to go ashore to 

explore the area accompanied by a most knowledgeable storyteller. 

If it is a real hiker, there is always the seven hour historic hike, where 

a tour guide will take the guests on the old path to Miðvág stopping 

at the local museums, before heading out to the Bøsdalafossur 

waterfall. On the way out, it is also possible to take the walk up 

to the majestic Trælanípa promontory to enjoy the stunning view. 

The perfect combination between nature and history. 

Many of the hiks on Vágar are fairly easy with well kept paths. 

However, a local tour guide will show you the hidden gems that 

Hiking 340 mountains 

There are 340 mountains in the Faroe 

Islands. The highest is Slættaratindur, 

with its 880 meters, and the lowest is 

Høganes, only 115 meters high. 

There are few people in the Faroes, who 

have summited these 340 mountains as 

much as Pól Sundskarð. 

After 45 years of "normal" work, he has 

quit his job to live and work as hiking 

guide and started the website hiking.fo. 

He knows the mountains from top to 

bottom. On his many tours he has met 

with local people from the different 

islands and has built up a wide personal 

network. Both Pól, and many of the local 

representatives are ready to serve you 

from the bottom of the Faroe Islands up 

the highest mountains tops. 

One popular goal to reach it the so called 

Top 10, - to climb the top of the ten highest 

Faroese mountains. 

These mountains are: 

• Slættaratindur, Eysturoy, 880m 

• Gráfelli, Eysturoy, 856m 

• Villingadalsfjall, Viðoy, 841m 

• Kúvingafjall, Kunoy, 830m 

• Teigafjall, Kunoy, 825m 

• Kunoyarnakkur, Kunoy, 819m 

• Havnartindur, Kunoy, 818m 

• Urðafjall, Kunoy, 817m 

• Middagsfjall, Kunoy, 805m 

• Svartbakstindur, Eysturoy, 801m 

This is only an example to show a goal for 

hikers to reach. 

Do you want to explore these mountains 

over some time, days or hours? 

What is the goal and who are 

the participants? 

Pól Sundskarð.: "Hiking.fo can also 

arrange tailor-made trips and tours in the 

unspoiled Faroese nature, - but common 

for all arrangements are that they contain 

cannot be found on a map or in hiking brouchures. 

Why not learn about the role of the Faroe Islands in the Second 

World War and it’s affect on local life on Vágar by visiting the 

War Museum with its incredibly extensive collection, the historic 

site, Kálvalíð, where visitors travel up to 400 years back in time, 

or the Church in Sandavágur where an ancient Rune Stone from 

the first settlers of the village is kept. 

There are several breakfast, lunch and dinner options on Vágar, a 

new café and guesthouse in Gásadalur, Nest the café in Miðvágur, 

Flogkaffi at the airport terminal and restaurant and Hotel Vágar 

by the airport. Also the popular concept of Heimablídni or 

SupperClub is available by request on Vágar. 

Sølvi Simonarson, director of Visit Vagar, with office at the 

airport, when the tourists arrive: 

“In Vágar and Mykines, we are blessed with some of the most 

magnificent landscape you will ever see, as well as a rich 

birdlife, so if it’s nature you’re after you’ll most certainly find 

something you like. On Mykines you could take a walk out to 

Mykineshólmur, where you will be certain so see the puffins that 

many travel far to see. We also have other hikes, both premade 

and specially tailored to fit, ready for you to enjoy.” 

Pól Sundskarð. And his wife Bjørg was the first 

couple to reach the top of all 340 mountains in 

The Faroe Islands, but here it is his daughter 

and grandchild, who has inherited the interest. 

experiences along the routes on the 

beautiful 340 Faroese mountains." 

Hiking in the Faroese nature is a growing 

activity amongst local inhabitants as well 

as the foreign guests who are visiting our 

beautiful country. 

Hiking is also a healthy way to activate 

both body and soul. 

You can hike alone in the nature but 

preferable as a group putting safety first. 

24 


Hotel Føroyar 

– A Room with a View 

Hotel Føroyar has 106 rooms, all with the same unique panoramic 

view over the capital Tórshavn, the island Nólsoy and the North 

Atlantic Ocean. 

Restaurant Gras, lobby café, Ress Fitness and 24/7 reception. 

Free WiFi in all rooms and areas. Free parking, car rental & airport 

shuttle service. 

Hotel Føroyar —a perfect place for a business and pleasure trip. 

Tel 31 75 00 · hotelforoyar.fo

Katuaq – the meeting place 

with northern lights 

and ice 

The waving northern lights have been an inspiration to the 

architects of the Katuaq-building. (Photo: Leiff Josefsen- Katuaq) 

Katuaq - Greenland Cultural Centre, which 

in 2017 celebrates its 20 year anniversary, 

offers a unique opportunity to combine the 

professional with the natural and artistic 

experiences in the midst of a modern Arctic 

community. It is located in the centre of 

the town, near shops, supermarkets and 

accommodation options make it attractive 

for business guests to hold a meeting or 

conference in the house. 

Already outside the building gives an 

impression of the waves of the Northern 

Light. 

Meeting and conference rooms in Katuaq 

are spacious and flexible, making it possible 

to organize small meetings or major 

conferences, with up to 508 participants. 

All rooms can be made after the conference 

needs. This is also one of the best in the 

technical field where Katuaq has its own 

technical staff with extensive experience 

in sound, lighting and broadcast via video 

and telephone, which can satisfy any 

MICE-planner. 

All rooms are equipped with projector, 

screen and whiteboard as standard and 

by all the conference room set up with 

water and folders with note paper, with 

no charge. Katuaq make much of the front 

staff service for guests. The staff is ready to 

receive guests from around the world and 

always with a smile and the kindness which 

Katuaq's staff is known for. 

Julia Pars, director of the cultural centre: 

“Katuaq is like a musical instrument that 

can begin to play at any moment. During 

the day it's full of dreams - at night it acts 

like a magnetic field, drawing people 

into the light. Katuaq is a magical venue 

whose architecture was inspired by waving 

northern lights, icebergs and the play of 

light on ice and snow. 

Katuaq is also an excellent venue for 

conferences and meetings. Plus, people 

get together at the center’s oasis: Cafetuaq. 

Cafetuaq serves hot and cold meals and 

drinks and provides catering services 

including buffets and evening meals for 

functions held at Katuaq. 

The MICE-event will not be held in a cold 

room, only occupied every two weeks. 

Katuaq is a living organism with more than 

120,000 visitors every year to experience 

music, theatre, dance, stand-up, films, 

speeches and exhibitions. 

Also all the delegates to Vestnorden 

Travel Mart will experience Katuaq as the 

opening get-together Monday night with 

the Vestnorden Travel Award presentation 

will be held there Monday night, Colourful 

Nuuk Adventures Tuesday afternoon, 

at the luncheon Wednesday to taste the 

kitchen of Katuaq. 

During Vestnorden Travel Mart there will 

also be an exhibition of posters of Katuaq 

during the 20 years, since the start. 

Music, theatre 

dance, standup, 

films and 

exhibitions are 

among the cultural 

events at Katuaq 

makes 120,000 

visit the cultural 

centre every year. 

(Photo: Dida 

G. Heilmann- 

Katuaq) 

26 


HOTEL Seamens Home 

- More than a hotel! 

www.soemandshjem.gl 

NUUK - SISIMIUT - AASIAAT 

Travel Trade OUTBOUND - Scandinavia

Record 

visit to 

Nuuk 

The capital of Greenland, Nuuk, can 

in the first half of 2017 tell about the 

largest number of tourist visits since the 

measurements began in 2001. 

In 2001, there were 6291 tourist visits in 

Nuuk (Sermersooq West). Over the past 

three years, the visit has increased in the 

first half to 8786 (2015), 10071 (2016) 

and 10980 in (2017). 

This data includes both domestic and 

foreign guests. 

Data from Greenland's statistics show 

an increase in cruise lines in the period 

2012 to 2017. It was 22 calls in 2012. 36 

calls are expected this year. 

"As a business council, Sermersooq 

Business Council / SBC, naturally hopes 

for growth in the tourism industry in the 

Nuuk has received around 1000 more tourists in the first half of 2017 than in the same time in 2016. 

coming years. Colorful Nuuk has a lot to 

offer in terms of nature, culture and city, 

"says Ulla Lynge, Director, Sermersooq 

Business Council / SBC. 

"With regard to nationality and 

segments, guests in Nuuk are often 

business travelers, guests to residents 

and tourists who have chosen to visit the 

destination. All nationalities are more 

or less represented, "adds Ulla Lynge. 

"Are there enough hotels in Nuuk?” 

"SBC is aware that there is an expansion 

of existing capacity in Nuuk, and that 

there has been a desire to establish 

additional capacity in Nuuk within the 

next few years. In addition, Nuuk has 

also come relatively well in the offer of 

AirBnB. " 

Greenland's capital Nuuk markets itself as Colorful Nuuk. 

Developing 

"As a business council, the SBC is tasked 

with developing Nuuk as a tourism 

destination. For the same reason, this 

year we have taken the initiative to 

draft proposals for tourism strategy 

for Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq. The 

proposal is based on the National Tourism 

Strategy, Visit Greenland's Tourism 

Strategy, and not least with input from 

stakeholders from the tourism industry in 

Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq. 

Destination development of Colorful 

Nuuk is ongoing in close cooperation with 

local actors, and also through offerings 

to the players. SBC has implemented a 

Tourism Boost program in the spring 

to get suggestions for new products and 

collaborate for Nuuk. Participants in the 

program were given the opportunity to 

pitch their proposals for new products on 

May 10 against about 400 business people 

who attended the Future Greenland 

conference.” 

"Nuuk is host to the West Nordic Region 

(VNTM). What will you do for the 

participants? What impression do you hope 

the participants will bring back home? " 

"SBC looks forward to coughing VNTM 

in Nuuk. 

SBC, together with local actors, has 

organized 21 different Colorful Nuuk 

Adventures for the VNTM participants, 

which are scheduled for September 19th. 

Colorful Nuuk Adventures will show many 

different angles at Nuuk as a destination. 

We are looking forward to receiving 

feedback from participants on the products 

and experiences, "says Ulla Lynge. 

28 


Open new windows 

Icelandair has launched a new free 

service, Icelandair Stopover Pass Open 

new window, which aims to defeat wasted 

time whilst travelling. The service allows 

passengers to transform their boarding 

pass into a Stopover Pass, offering 

them access to series of entertaining 

performances. These range from a threeact 

play on a flight from London to New 

York via Iceland; to gig tickets, trips to 

Icelandic football matches, backstage 

passes to a music festival and more. 

The launch of the service in celebration 

of the airline’s 80th anniversary is in 

response to a new trend report revealing 

the world is changing the way they fly. As 

such, there is a requirement for airlines to 

up their game to meet the demands of this 

new breed of flier. The shift in passenger 

expectation means they now demand both 

better customer service and more unique 

entertainment – which Icelandair has set 

about to serve. 

The airline’s staff enjoy a variety of creative 

pursuits outside their everyday roles and 

include professional musicians, dancers, 

comedians, actors and artists. Icelandair 

know their talented staff are the stars of 

the company and at the heart of 

the passenger journey, so they ran 

a stage school to nurture their skills 

and improve customer service. 

This saw them learn immersive 

theatre techniques to add to their 

repertoire of skills, improving 

anything from boosting the mood 

to active listening, thinking on their 

feet, calming restless children and 

reassuring scared passengers. 

Birkir Hólm Guðnason, CEO at Icelandair: 

“In our 80th anniversary we’re proud to introduce our free performance series, 

Icelandair Stopover Pass. The research findings show there is an opportunity for us to 

transform wasted time into time well travelled. We’ve always put customer service at 

our heart, and now we’re looking to pioneer a new service to delight and entertain our 

customers, starring our talented staff.” 

When on a Stopover until March 2018, Icelandair passengers will be able to transform 

their boarding pass to a Stopover Pass. This will give them access to a range of 

performances featuring Icelandic talent and gifted Icelandair staff. Some lucky 

passengers will be accompanied to these events by a Stopover Buddy. The Buddies are 

passionate employees who have excellent local knowledge and will provide an authentic 

experience for passengers. For the price of your flight ticket, you could enjoy: 

▶ A private gig in the front room of a local concert 

▶ Exclusive access to a live lounge session in the airport 

▶ A seat at the chef’s table as part of Iceland’s Food & Fun festival 

▶ Backstage passes to meet an Icelandic band before they go on stage 


The “off the beaten track” 

destination 

People who are visiting Greenland don’t see themselves as 

tourists - they are travelers exploring the world. Since Greenland 

is a relatively undiscovered place, Visit Greenland defines all of 

the 80,000 annual tourists who visit the country as adventure 

travelers. They go to Greenland to experience a combination of 

nature, culture and some level of activity. Below are some ways 

tourism in Greenland is developing. 

Pioneering Nation 

In order to go to Greenland one has to know about it - but also 

understand it. Visibility is consequently an important aspect of 

Visit Greenland’s work. For the past 7 years Visit Greenland has 

been building on the brand and the story about “The Pioneering 

People”. First and foremost this is communicated visually 

through photos and film that captures the spirit of Greenland. 

The keywords are Powerful Nature and Pioneering People. The 

brand tries to create an inclusive and overarching narrative 

about our country and the people who live in it. It is a story 

that connects the subtle differences of the regions together and 

represents all of Greenland’s residents regardless of ethnicity, 

profession and place of residence. 

The visibility and communication of the brand Pioneering 

Nation has been recognized internationally and Visit Greenland 

has received several prizes in 2017. These are a few awards we 

have won: 

• Libris by Photoshelter “Iconic Images Price” for a photo by 

photographer Mads Pihl and the settlement Aapilattoq in South 

Greenland. 

• Flight Network (Canadian owned online travel agency with 

more than 1 million visitors a month) was elected one of the 20 

best tourist boards in the world. 

• Deauville Film Festival “Green Award” First Prize for the 

short film “Sheep Farmers” by Ulannaq Ingemann. 

International media in Greenland 

Together with primary partner Air Greenland, the national 

tourist board helps both established and social media to explore 

the destination and to understand the brand values. In the first 

6 months of 2017 Visit Greenland had 300 ‘media requests’ of 

which we supported 29 media. Most of these media covered 

our main markets Western Europe, North America and 

Scandinavia. They all help us tell the story about Greenland and 

why they should come visit the destination. 

New website 

Visit Greenland is launching a new website in connection 

with Vestnorden Travel Mart 2017 that is more user friendly 

and commercially oriented. At the same time the domain 

will change to the internationally known domain for national 

tourist boards and will be: www.visitgreenland.com 

Accessibility 

Developing accessibility is also a major focus and the 

infrastructure will be improved over the next couple of years 

with the political decision to build new 2400 meter landing 

strips in Nuuk and Ilulissat and shorter regional landing strips 

in Qaqortoq and Tasiilaq. The new framework will change 

accessibility to the regions and create more growth. It is 

important to Visit Greenland that the growth is sustainable and 

in dialogue with local operators and other stakeholders. 

UNESCO world heritage 

There are many unique places in Greenland, and some of these 

have since been officially recognised as world heritage. 

Over the past 1000 years, Inuit and Viking cultures have shaped the 

people and land of South Greenland. Five core areas in the region 

represent the most comprehensive and rich examples of Norse and 

Greenlandic farming culture. This unique heritage is now officially 

recognised and inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List, 

and it is all within reach from Narsarsuaq and Qaqortoq. 

South Greenland is the second area to be recognized as a world 

heritage site, but Ilulissat Icefjord and the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier 

has been on the list since 2004 and is an important driver for 

tourism to the region. 

In Qeqqata work is in process and an application has been sent to 

UNESCO January 2017 with the goal to be officially recognized 

as World Heritage from Summer 2018. The project is called 

“Aasivissut - Nipisat Inuit Hunting Ground between Ice and Sea”. 

The area covers hunting grounds and prehistoric settlements and 

memories that go back 4,500 years. 

The UNESCO stamp will just be another reason to visit Greenland 

in the years to come. There will be something to explore whether 

you are an adrenaline junky seeing new adventures or if you are 

interested in present or past culture. 

Fjord life. This adventure offers you a combination of sailing, 

fishing and hiking to get a sense of what the fjord life in Nuuk feels like. 

Photo Mads Pihl – Visit Greenland 

30 


Vagar 

will reach 300,000 

Vagar Airport on the Faroe 

Islands has experienced an 

unprecedented growth so 

far in 2017. In July, 51,765 

passengers used Vagar 

Airport as their gateway to 

and from the Faroe Islands. 

This is a growth of over 

20% compared to July 2016. 

So far, this year some 201,035 

passengers have travelled 

through the airport. This is 

a growth of 15,1% compared 

to 2016. 

Atlantic Airways has several whole year and seasonal routes to and from 

the Faroe Islands and since March 2017, SAS has had a daily route between 

Copenhagen and the Faroe Islands. The number of ad hoc charters to 

and from the Faroe Islands is also on the increase and Transavia had 

their first ever charter trip to the Faroe Islands in June. 

“We had anticipated a growth of some 8-10%, but this growth gives us 

the possibility to move forward some of the investments” says Jákup 

Sverri Kass, CEO at Vagar Airport. 

The number of passengers, the heightening of frequencies and the 

growth of freight has resulted in Vagar Airport investing in a bigger 

parking area, new equipment and the continued automatization of both 

the passenger-experience and possibilities to prebook and prepay duty 

free goods. Furthermore, Vagar Airport has invested in new baggageand 

freight scanners. 

“The future looks exciting as there are Faroese tourism is experiencing 

a record-number of interest from foreign markets and the airport will 

probably reach more than 300,000 pax in 2017. This will fuel further 

growth for Vagar Airport. Vagar Airport would like to have some more 

direct-routes from especially European destinations to boost further 

growth and we are in dialog with carriers regarding this”, says the CEO. 


Adventures for all delegates 

This business-to-business trade show is an annual marketplace 

jointly promoting the three West Nordic countries Iceland, 

the Faroe Islands and Greenland. Several hundred buyers and 

sellers meet during two intensive days to focus on tourism trade 

in the West Nordic Region. 

This year the B2B meetings will only be one full day. 

Instead the host city Nuuk has prepared more than 20 cultural 

and nature activities on the afternoon of Tuesday September 

19th. 

The activities range from city-walks, cultural events, and tasting, 

sailing, hiking, flightseeing. All arranged and prepared by the 

local providers. Could also be seen as a tourism development. 

There are over 20 Colourful Nuuk Adventures to choose from, 

and they run the gamut from sailing to remote huts in the fjord 

to trying your creative hand at making a piece of the traditional 

national costume to touring museums. 

All the activities are complementary as they are included in 

your registration fee. 

Pre- and post-tours 

Nothing beats a good firsthand experience, so this year we offer 

you pre-tours to Greenland’s 5 tourism destinations. 

The pre-tours give buyers the best opportunity to gain valuable 

insight into a destination’s strengths, facilities, and into the latest 

products offered. Each pre-tour can accommodate 10 buyers. 

Meet local artisans is another courful nuuk adventure. Here the 

delegates meet different kinds of artists and designers, get introduced 

to their work and Q&A with them. Photo Raven Eye- Visit Greenland 

Marriott first in Iceland 

Marriott International 

will open its first hotel 

in Iceland in 2018, The 

Reykjavik EDITION. 

EDITION, the first true luxurylifestyle 

brand, combines the personal, 

intimate, individualized and unique 

hotel experience with the global reach, 

operational expertise and scale of Marriott 

International. Marriott International 

will manage the hotel under a long-term 

agreement. 

The 250-room hotel will be located on the 

harbor waterfront in the heart of downtown 

Reykjavik, immediately adjacent to Harpa, 

the city’s concert and conference hall. 

Speaking at a signing ceremony in 

Reykjavik, Sandeep Walia, area vice 

president for Marriott International in 

Europe, remarked, “Iceland is emerging 

as one of the most popular tourism 

destinations in the world for global 

BA to 

Reykjavik 

travelers and we couldn’t be more excited 

to introduce our EDITION brand to this 

vibrant country.” 

“This project provides a unique 

opportunity to bring the first world-class, 

five-star hotel to the booming Icelandic 

market. The location of this hotel couldn’t 

be more spectacular – with the hotel 

working in conjunction with the city’s 

well known Harpa center and its location 

steps away from the vibrant downtown of 

Reykjavik.” 

A truly distinct product 

The project will be financed by Carpenter 

and a major Icelandic bank plus local 

equity investors. The project is the result of 

several years of intensive urban planning 

lead by the city of Reykjavik. 

Now open in New York, London, Miami 

and Istanbul, EDITION Hotels has marked 

the next chapter in the lifestyle hotel story. 

This delicate balancing act encompasses, 

for the very first time, not only great 

From October British Airways will offer 

a new route from London City Airport to 

Reykjavik. 

The launch of services to Reykjavik will be 

the first time British Airways has flown to 

design and true innovation, but also great 

personal, friendly, modern service as 

well as outstanding, one-of-a-kind food, 

beverage and entertainment offerings “all 

under one roof”. The authenticity and 

originality that Ian Schrager brings to this 

new brand coupled with the global reach 

of Marriott International results in a truly 

distinct product that sets itself apart from 

anything else currently in the marketplace. 

Each hotel with its rare individuality, 

authenticity, originality and unique ethos 

reflects the best of the cultural and social 

milieu of its location and of the time. 

Although all of the hotels look completely 

different from each other, the brand’s 

unifying aesthetic is in its approach and 

attitude to the modern lifestyle rather 

than its appearance. Sophisticated public 

spaces, finishes, design and details serve 

the experience, not drive it. 

Future hotels are planned for Abu Dhabi 

(2016), Sanya, China (2016), Bangkok 

(2016), Times Square (2018), West 

Hollywood (2018), Reykjavik, Iceland 

(2018), Wuhan, China (2019), and Bali, 

Indonesia (2019). 

Iceland from London City Airport. 

London City Airport to Reykjavik, a winteronly 

two weekly service, offers a gateway 

to some of the most dramatic scenery and 

skiing that Iceland has to offer. 

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