A travel advisory has been issued for a popular North American tourist destination that is known for its size, natural beauty and outdoor activities.
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) issued a “Level 2″ travel advisory for Greenland on Tuesday, Oct. 29.
The advisory states that travelers should practice increased caution when heading to Greenland because of environmental hazards and limited emergency services.
“Greenland’s landscape includes vast stretches of territory remote from cities and settlements,” the advisory reads.
“The weather can be harsh, and resources to provide emergency services in areas distant from cities and large settlements, including search and rescue, are scarce,” it continued. “In some areas, search and rescue efforts could take several days to reach the site of an incident.”
The U.S. government may also be limited in providing aid to U.S. citizens who travel to Greenland and are impacted by these conditions.
Those who still choose to visit to Greenland should take the following precautions:
- Obtain comprehensive travel, medical, and evacuation insurance
- Travel with a professional guide or organization
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency
- Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations
- Understand Greenland is a self-governing part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Greenland has assumed responsibility for the administration of health, education, taxation, and family and social matters (among other competencies), meaning these matters are handled differently than in Denmark.
Tourists can read more about traveling to Greenland on the country‘s information page on the DOS’ website.
Greenland, the world’s largest island, had a record-breaking year of travel in 2023. The territory welcomed over 141,000 tourists last year, according to a report from Visit Greenland.
Popular attractions include the Greenland National Museum, Prince Christian Sound and Nanortalik Open Air Museum, according to Tripadvisor.
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