Throughout May and June, residents of Tasiilaq have enhanced their maritime skills through a series of courses focusing on safety and navigation. These initiatives are intended to contribute to the safe and sustainable development of tourism in East Greenland while also creating better opportunities for local residents.
“In collaboration with the Greenland Maritime Center, 17 participants have completed a four-week course and earned a certificate of professional competence. They are now qualified to operate vessels carrying tourists in the Tasiilaq region,” says Anna Burdenski, tourism coordinator at Visit East Greenland.
The course is funded through the environmental and maintenance fee that Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq receives via the cruise ship tax. As a result, a portion of the revenue from cruise tourism is returned directly to the local community in the form of skills development and the strengthening of local jobs.
In addition, 16 people have completed a maritime safety course. Of these, 5 participants took the course for the first time, while 11 participants completed a refresher course to maintain their certificates of professional competence. The courses help enhance safety and skills among local workers who operate at sea.
“Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq is committed to ensuring that tourism creates value for local communities through education, skills development, and better opportunities for local residents. Courses like these help strengthen safety, the quality of local offerings, and the long-term development of tourism in East Greenland,” says Anna Burdenski, tourism coordinator at Visit East Greenland.
