New direct flight connects U.S. and Greenland, aims to boost tourism

admin 2025年7月24日

Intermediate

Culture & Travel, Culture & Travel - Intermediate

Pre-reading questions:

I will read each question. Then, please answer them.

If you could show visitors something special about your country, what would it be?
What activities do you enjoy when you travel or go on vacation?

Vocabulary:

I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.

commercial /kuh-MUR-shuhl/

[adjective] – related to buying, selling, or business activities
The city is planning to open a commercial district filled with shops and restaurants.

puffin /PUHF-in/

[noun] – a small seabird with black and white feathers and a colorful beak, usually found in cold coastal areas
Tourists visited the cliffs to take photos of the puffins flying over the ocean.

remote /ri-MOHT/

[adjective] – far away from cities, towns, or people; hard to reach
The researchers stayed in a remote village in the mountains to study local plants.

identity /ahy-DEN-ti-tee/

[noun] – the characteristics, culture, or beliefs that make a person or group different from others
The traditional music helped the community express their identity during the festival.

cruise ship /krooz ship/

[noun] – a large ship, like a hotel, that people travel on for pleasure
Many cruise ships arrive in the Caribbean during the winter holiday season.

Article reading:

Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

On June 14, 2024, Greenland started its first direct commercial flight between Newark, New Jersey, and Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. The flight is operated by a U.S.-based airline and removes the need to stop in Denmark or Iceland. This new air route is part of Greenland’s plan to increase tourism and help its economy grow. In 2024, about 150,000 tourists visited the island. Visitors can enjoy whale-watching tours, boat rides to see puffins, and guided trips to remote Arctic towns. Tourism officials said they want to share Greenland’s nature and Inuit culture while also creating more jobs and supporting local businesses.

Local tour companies reported that interest in Greenland increased after the new flight and recent political attention from the U.S. Greenlandic tour guides said that tourism should also protect the traditions and identity of the local Inuit people. Some experts warned that if tourism is not managed well, it could harm the environment or turn the culture into a product. They advised that growth should be slow and include local voices. Although cruise ships already visit Greenland, officials said that visitors who stay overnight bring more money to the island. The tourism ministry said that future plans will focus on protecting nature, respecting culture, and developing tourism in a careful and sustainable way.

Comprehension questions

I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.

When did Greenland start its first direct flight to Nuuk?
Where does the new flight come from?
What countries do travelers no longer need to stop in?
Why did Greenland open the new air route?
How many tourists visited Greenland in 2024?

Discussion questions