Greenland Adventure is the product of the collaborative effort of Quark Expeditions and Visit South Greenland.
Greenland Adventure is the product of the collaborative effort of Quark Expeditions and Visit South Greenland. In the summer of 2020 Quark set out to create a one of a kind itinerary for travellers with the aim of presenting an authentic, inspiring experience with travellers.
Greenland Adventure is the product of the collaborative effort of Quark Expeditions and Visit South Greenland. In the summer of 2020 Quark set out to create a one of a kind itinerary for travellers with the aim of presenting an authentic, inspiring experience with travellers.
Greenland Adventure is the product of the collaborative effort of Quark Expeditions and Visit South Greenland. In the summer of 2020 Quark set out to create a one of a kind itinerary for travellers with the aim of presenting an authentic, inspiring experience with travellers.
Nick starts the discussion by asking how Alex and Sarah came up with the branding of these new adventures. The objective was to develop tourism in close partnership with the local community. Quark wanted to redefine the concept and reached out to South Greenland in order to cultivate the idea into what we see it as today. With Quark's proposition, Sarah goes on to explain that she saw an opportunity to expand the expedition sector, elaborating on what Alex says.
Alex highlights how the interactions customers were wanting to see weren't being advertised – spending time with locals. 15 years ago people were more interested in the wildlife and seeing nature for what it is, but over time there has been a shift in the industry to focus on the social aspects of exploration.
There needs to be a balance in this approach though, locals need to be as engaged as tourists in order to enjoy the experience themselves. Sarah goes on to explain that South Greenlanders are luckily glad to offer their services in order to educate adventurers, wanting to interacts, wanting to see their country for themselves.
Alex elaborates on this expressing the need to be open to scrutiny. Building these kinds of plans and experiences off of feedback is paramount to the concept of such an idea. The benefits of the approach Quark has taken with adventures is giving the locals power to deny prospective tourists if it is detrimental to the local economy. The knowledge of locals further cultivates the ideal balance between the two parties.
Quality over quantity is a primary point for Alex and Sarah's collaboration. It's an intense and understanding relationship for all stakeholders involved, providing content of the quality they do opens up opportunities and new-found confidence in people involved for their destination. Hard work is a necessary hurdle to jump in order to get a sufficient result.
Alex believes that a key part of being carried through the pandemic has been the consistent success of the adventure tourism industry over the past ten years. He believes that a genuine connection to the destination has been a primary point of impact for this. As the tourism sector evolves moving forward, Alex hopes that demand in travel experiences keep up.
I think that when tourism bounces back we're gonna see a lot more humaneness between the travellers and the locals. They're really gonna take the time to stop and talk to somebody and hear their stories. - Sarah
From his own experience, Alex talks about his own meaningful connections built through the collaboration, hoping that travellers who embark on similar journeys have the same bonding experiences with the community in South Greenland.
1. Making connections is an incredibly important part of the visitor experience, just as important as sustaining the destination physically. The social experience creates memories for these people.
2. Embracing opportunities is important no matter where they come from, from wherever in the pipeline.
3. Storytelling is part of narrating our own stories, sharing what we do on a day to day basis as well as the change and impact of the industry. Content that is authentic carries a poignant message.
Sarah is the regional Tourism Destination Manager at Visit South Greenland, a position she transitioned into with pleasure after six years doing similar work with marketing, content creation and networking at Greenland’s national tourist board. Being able to support the family of local providers in South Greenland as well as share the region’s most beautiful fjords and cultural landscapes with the world are what Sarah considers to be a dream job.
In his role as Director of Expedition Innovation and Experience at Quark Expeditions Alex McNeil has attempted to redefine what modern exploration means, to pioneer a new engagement ethos with remote communities, and to strike a balance between tourism growth and the environmental changes we are surrounded by.
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