- Why don’t residents of Greenland have to pay the same Site Fee?
If you are from Greenland, there is no payment – you are expected to pay taxes to both the Self-Government and the Municipality, thereby also contributing to the maintenance work required. For the past 20 years, the costs of the Icefjord Office's work have been financed by the Self-Government and the Municipality. In other words, it has been Greenlandic taxpayers who have paid. With an expected increase in tourist pressure, we see it as a natural development that tourists are now also invited to help finance this maintenance work. If you do not contribute through taxation, you now pay a one-time fee of 10 Euros, valid for the entire year. This also applies to guides coming from abroad and other employees in the tourism industry.
- I was born in Ilulissat and have lived most of my life here. Now I live abroad and have to pay the Site Fee. Why?
When the municipality introduces a fee, it is not possible to distinguish between where people were born or have lived. The only distinction we can make is where a person currently resides and pays taxes. This way, everyone contributes – either through taxation in Greenland or by paying the 10 Euro entrance fee – a modest amount that grants access for the whole season.
- Which area requires payment of the Site Fee?
It is the land area between Ilulissat town and the Icefjord – including both the urban buffer zone and the protected UNESCO area. In practice, this means the three main trails (red, yellow, and blue), as well as all smaller paths in between. Therefore, there is no point in trying to walk outside the marked trails to avoid payment. On the yellow route from the power plant (Nukissiorfiit), the fee collection begins after Café Asimiut – meaning you can walk from the power plant to the café without needing to pay.
- How long is my ticket valid?
The 10 Euro payment grants a ticket valid for the entire season in which it was purchased.
- The Site Fee is charged during the summer period (June 1 – October 31) – why not in winter?
It is correct that from June 1, 2025, a Site Fee will be charged during the summer period. There are certainly visitors to the Sermermiut area in winter as well, but we observe that wear and tear on the boardwalk, etc., is minimal during this period. Often, snowfall is so heavy that the boardwalk disappears entirely, and other "snow trails" are formed instead. Another factor is that the administrative costs of maintaining a payment system are so high that, for now, we assess that it is not financially viable to have it in place during winter when fewer guests visit.
- The Site Fee includes a 30-minute Audio Guide. Does this mean I don’t need to book a guided tour with a local provider?
NO – that is not the purpose of the Audio Guide. It is still a very good idea to book a guided tour with a local guide, where safety and personal interaction are prioritized. The Audio Guide should be seen as part of our obligation to provide information as a World Heritage Office.
- Will someone check my ticket?
Staff from the Icefjord Office, Park Rangers, and the Site Manager will carry out regular inspections in the area. You must therefore have either your physical ticket from the vending machine or a receipt from an online purchase available on your mobile phone.
- I bought a ticket – does it also grant access to the Icefjord Centre?
No. The Icefjord Office and the Icefjord Centre are two separate organizational entities, and each charges its own ticket.
