This summer, the Tourism & Destination Department at Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq had three interns working with Visit East Greenland. There, they gained insight into the work involved in developing East Greenland as a tourist destination.
Aviana Hjort Andersen and Julia Sørensen, who are studying to become hospitality managers in South Greenland, have just completed their eight-week internship. Nuka Eliassen-Kristensen, who is studying International Hospitality Management in Denmark, is still completing her 12-week internship in Tasiilaq.
Among other things, the three students have worked on destination development, projects, and communication, and have gained insight into how tourism is linked to infrastructure, transportation, local businesses, and local communities.
“I’ve learned, in particular, how many different factors come into play when developing tourism in an area like East Greenland. It’s not just about attracting more tourists, but also about infrastructure, local businesses, transportation, skills, and—not least—the local residents’ wishes for the area’s development,” says Nuka Eliassen-Kristensen.
Julia Sørensen and Aviana Hjort Andersen similarly emphasize that their internship has given them a greater understanding of the strategic work behind tourism development and of the importance of communication and collaboration.
According to Anna Burdenski, the tourism coordinator for East Greenland at Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq, the internships are valuable for both the students and the municipality.
“Having interns on the team is extremely valuable. They bring curiosity, new perspectives, and ideas, while also getting the chance to see how tourism development works in practice. We hope that this internship will inspire them to continue working in the tourism industry and perhaps return to East Greenland later in their careers.”
Things to Do in Tasiilaq
The internship has also given the three students the opportunity to experience firsthand the destination they’re working on. The natural surroundings and the people they met in Tasiilaq made a big impression, and a trip to the ice cave at the Apusiaajik Glacier was one of the highlights of their stay.
“I’ve lived in Greenland most of my life and have never been in an ice cave before, so the Ice Cave tour to Apusiaajik was a truly amazing experience,” says Nuka Elisassen-Kristensen.
For the three interns, the experience has also strengthened their interest in continuing to work in the fields of tourism and destination development.
