A tourist expedition is characterized as a private expedition. The purpose is typically adventure and/or experiencing the Greenlandic nature. Examples include activities on the icecap such as ski crossings and kite surfing etc., and mountaineering.

A Logistics expedition is characterized as an expedition carried out by a business, typically a service provider. The purpose is to be able to support other expeditions. A logistics expedition is not a planned part of only one single expedition – it is an expedition on its own.

In terms of responsibility for obtaining permits, it is determined by the expedition, i.e. the travel/activity: What activities will the expedition members carry out, and what does that require in terms of permits, conditions, etc. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide all necessary information and apply for any additional permits based on planned activities.

The expedition permit holder is responsible for all activities carried out during that expedition (flights, fueling, etc.), regardless of who carries them out. Furthermore, it is the expedition permit holder who is responsible for fulfilling the environmental conditions and requirements set as conditions in permits, as well as being responsible for any consequences of the expedition's activities, including e.g. any pollution that may occur in connection with the expedition.

Example 1: If a scientific expedition lays out a fuel depot specifically for its project's activities, it is responsible for that depot and any associated activities in this regard (flights, fuel handling, area allotment, etc.). The expedition permit holder can acquire logistical support from an external provider, but it is the holder of the expedition permit who is responsible for ensuring that all permits are in order, covering all activities involved, also with regard to the external partner's travel and activity during that project.

Example 2: A logistics provider offers services, such as laying out fuel depots, that are not directly connected to one specific project in advance, e.g. with a view to potentially servicing several expeditions/projects during the season. Various other (research) projects/expeditions may end up using these services, but this is not necessarily identified or defined at the time when permits are applied for. The logistics provider's deployment of depots or performance of other services (such as flights) as an activity will, as a whole, constitute an expedition in itself. In such cases, the logistics business is responsible for all permits for the activities carried out by the logistics business and is thus also responsible for obtaining the necessary permits, including an expedition permit. It is thus also the logistics provider who is responsible for meeting the environmental conditions and requirements set as conditions in permits.

Regarding example no. 2: Please note that cf. Section 5 of the Executive Order on Travel, activities regulated under the Mineral Resources Act are exempt, and specific and targeted services for mineral resource activities are not regulated as described above. However, it does not exclude all activities or services carried out by the logistics provider, only those activities which are specifically carried out as part of a mineral project. Other activities carried out by the logistics provider still require permits, such as expedition permits, national park permits, flight permits, area allotments, etc.

Please reach out to the Expedition Office for guidance on any specific case with activities falling under both regulations.