Tourism Experiences in the Peripheral North

Naalakkersuisut Government of Greenland INUSSUK • Arctic Research Journal 2 • 2011 Tourism Experiences in the Peripheral North Case Studies from Greenland Daniela Tommasini Naalakkersuisut Government of Greenland INUSSUK • Arctic Research Journal 2 • 2011 Tourism Experiences in the Peripheral North Case Studies from Greenland Daniela Tommasini TOURISM EXPERIENCES IN THE PERIPHERAL NORTH - CASE STUDIES FROM GREENLAND INUSSUK - Arctic Research Journal 2 - 2011 Copyright © Government of Greenland, Ministry of Education & Research, Nuuk, 2011 Layout, maps and graphics: allu design - www.allu.gl Typeface: Arial Publisher: Ministry of Education & Research Print: AKA Print A/S, Århus 1. edition Print run: 500 copies ISBN 978-87-92554-34-5 ISSN 1397-7431 INUSSUK - Arctic Research Journal is published by the Ministry of Education & Research. Permission to publish extracts, including figures, tables and quotations, is granted as long as the source is clearly given. Copies are kindly requested of all works that refer to, announce, quote or make reference to this publication. It is the purpose of this journal to disseminate results of research in Arctic regions to the population of Greenland as well as research communities in Greenland and Denmark. The journal wishes to contribute to strengthening co-operation in Arctic research, in particular within the humanities, social sciences and public health. The editorial board welcomes proposals for publications. Editors Research Coordinator Najâraq Paniula Research Coordinator Lone Nukaaraq Møller Government of Greenland Government of Greenland Ministry of Education & Research Ministry of Education & Research P.O. Box 1029 P.O. Box 1029 3900 Nuuk, Greenland 3900 Nuuk, Greenland Telephon: +299 34 50 00 Telephon: +299 34 50 00 Fax: +299 32 20 73 Fax: +299 32 20 73 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] www.nanoq.gl www.nanoq.gl Publications in the series can be ordered from: Ministry of Education & Research P.O. Box 1029 3900 Nuuk, Greenland Table of Contents 1. Introduction ...................................................7 1.1. Peripheral Destinations, Local Communities and Tourism Development • Tourism in a Process of Change ...................................11 • Community Options.............................................13 • The Arctic Perspective...........................................15 • Impact at the Local Level ........................................17 • The Carrying Capacity Option.....................................19 • The Impact of Tourism...........................................21 • How to Reach the Goal ..........................................23 1.2. Tourism in Greenland • Development and Planning of Tourism in Greenland ...................26 • The Evolution of the Process .....................................27 • Developing the Tourism Industry ...................................28 • The First General Tourism Plan....................................29 • A New Plan ...................................................31 • Brief History of the National Tourism Board of Greenland................32 • Future Plans . 34 1.3. Projections, Images and Perceptions of an Arctic Destination • The Attraction .................................................38 • The Image in Advertising.........................................39 • From the Sacred to the Profane . .42 • Perceptions of the Arctic through the Ages ...........................43 • A Rising Interest in the Arctic......................................45 • The Arctic Stereotype . .46 • The Arctic Sublime .............................................47 • The Current Image of the Arctic ...................................47 1.4. Methodology • On Methodology ...............................................50 • The Survey ...................................................51 • The Topics ....................................................52 • On Case Studies ...............................................53 2. Case Studies 2.1. Case Study: Tourism and Sheep Farmers in South Greenland • Description of the Area . 56 • Sheep Farming in South Greenland, a Brief History ....................57 • Development of Tourism in South Greenland, a Brief Overview ...........59 • Rationale .....................................................61 • Methodology ..................................................62 • Presentation of the Data .........................................63 • Findings......................................................99 • Appendix ...................................................104 2.2. Case Study: Villages around Sisimiut, Ilulissat and Uummannaq • Description of the Area..........................................105 • Rationale ....................................................110 • Methodology .................................................111 • Presentation of the Data . 112 • Findings .....................................................154 • The Example of Ukkusissat ......................................162 • Appendix ....................................................163 2.3. Case Study: Tourism Development in Remote Places and Peripheral Areas: Qaanaaq” • Description of the Area . .165 • Rationale ....................................................169 • Methodology .................................................169 • Presentation of the Data ........................................170 • Findings.....................................................203 • Appendix ....................................................206 2.4. Case Study: East Greenland 2.4.1. Mental Projections and Images of Tourism in East Greenland, Including a Profile of the Arctic Tourist • Part 1 (1995) . .207 • Part 2 (2009) . .215 2.4.2. Impact of Tourism upon Communities: Tasiilaq • Part 1 (1998) . .225 • Part 2 (2011)................................................... 2.4.3. Illoqqortoormiut and the North-East Greenland National Park, Tourism, Development and Conservation • Illoqqortoormiut..............................................236 • North-East Greenland National Park .............................259 3. Conclusions ...............................................268 4. Appendix • Interview Questions ..........................................278 5. Reference List..............................................285 6. Acknowledgments ..........................................295 1. Introduction The subject of this book is tourism and its development in small-scale communities and peripheral regions; it is the outcome of research carried out at different points of time, and in several areas in Greenland. It contains first-hand examples gathered by the author, ranging from the initial ideas and development behind the tourism industry to the successes and drawbacks of tourism initiatives. This is a book about the dreams and realities that local popula- tions are confronted with when they are involved with tourism activities. This collection of case studies aims to contribute to the general discussion on the development of peripheral destinations, and of tourism as a possible tool for the revitalization of marginal communities. The book is divided in two sections. The first part deals with the themes of tourism development in small-scale and peripheral regions, with the development of tourism in Greenland and, in a more general sense, with the images, perceptions and representations of an Arctic destination from the viewpoint of tourists. The attraction of this destination, the stereotypes associated with it, and an example of the use of images in advertising are also concisely introduced. This first chapter also contains a section on the methodology utilized for collecting information and data. Interviews and questionnaires have been submitted to the target group as well as to other respondents. A basic questionnaire has been prepared and adapted according to each case study, together with interviews and previous research by the author. The second part focuses on an analysis of the different forms of tourism that have emerged in Greenland since the birth of the tourism industry. For the case studies, the particular forms of tourism development that have taken place in different areas have served as the guiding principle for choosing the regions that were the object of fieldwork. Every case study may be considered as the natural follow-up of the previous one and a link to the next one. During and after fieldwork, and when analysing data, questions emerged and another area was chosen for investigation, modelling the questionnaire according the specific information desired. In this sense, every case study is closely linked to the others. They are an attempt to find answers and perhaps give communities in Greenland inspiration, ideas and suggestions. 7 The case studies have the following structure: geographical information, i.e., the description of the area with some economic and statistical information, the rationale, a brief description of the methodology that has been adapted to the specific case study, data from the fieldwork and the findings: • Short introduction of the aspects investigated by the fieldwork • A description of the area, with a reference map • When the fieldwork was conducted and information and data were collected • The presentation of the fieldwork • The relevant findings On case studies The case study (1) Tourism and Sheep Farmers in South Greenland presents a form of tourism that is very popular nowa- days known as “rural tourism”. The sheep farming area may very well be considered a pioneering

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