Selling Arctic: Expert tips from Laali Berthelsen, Product Manager at Hurtigruten Expeditions (HX)
- matt30422
- May 12
- 3 min read
How many times have you’ve been to the Arctic and which specific regions?
I was born and raised in Nuuk, Greenland, and have 17 years of tourism experience. I have a Service economy degree with tourism as my specialty and have worked in Greenland during high season (summer) while travelling abroad during winter both for work and pleasure. Ilulissat has been my main destination during summer, but I have also been working onboard ships and yachts as an expedition guide not just in Greenland, but also in Svalbard, Iceland and the through NorthWest Passage, crossing from Greenland to Newfoundland.
Do you have a favourite Arctic destination and why?
My favourite Arctic destination is my own country - Greenland. Due to its size it gives our guests the opportunity to see so much. The green land with farming in the south and lots of viking history. The raw and beautiful East that is so remote from the world with its dramatic mountains and wildlife as polar bears and muskox. The West coast with its many settlements and colourful houses with 4,500 years of history and culture with whales are seen in the horizon. To the far north where the icebergs are big with midnight sun in the summer while the sun doesn't rise in winter and the people are living by adapting to nature. That is Greenland, my beautiful country.
What was your favourite time during the season and why?
My favourite time of the summer season is that the days are long, and we get to explore our nature. We use nature to escape the busy life in towns and to find peace and recharge, to be with family and friends with no connection to the world. The silence, the peace and the pure nature. Here we go hunting as well as fishing, and collecting berries for preparation for the long and cold winter. Summertime is also spent on boat tours as well as hikes in nature. The summer gives us energy to be able to survive the winter.
What is your favourite thing to do or a favourite place to visit in the Arctic?
My favourite thing to do is to go sailing among the icebergs in Ilulissat. The town's name means ”icebergs” and is really amazing with a scenery that changes constantly. The UNESCO world heritage site is covering the 70 km long Isfjord and the Sermermiut area, meaning ”the ones by the ice” here we have history that takes you 4,500 years back and have been inhabited by several cultures that came all the way from Asia, through Siberia, Alaska and Canada. There is a boardwalk to the icefiord through this old settlement Sermermiut, and ends at a beautiful viewpoint that is a perfect spot for coffee and just enjoying the scenery with over 100 meter tall icebergs right next to you. This place is the first thing I always go to when I arrive, for the last 16 summers I spent in Ilulissat.
The most memorable moment you’ve worked/travelled to the Arctic.
The most memorable moment is when I worked at Eqi lodge, which is 90 km north of Ilulissat. There you find huts facing a glacier and a great hike to the ice cap. Here you are in nature, with no internet connection. Just you in nature, the great and beautiful nature. I have been to the inland ice several times on the hike from the lodge, and this is just amazing, to be standing on top of the ice cap which covers 80 % of our country. Once I went there with an ice specialist and we actually climbed into a meltwater well. Such a great experience!
Top Tips for travel advisors.
My top tips for a traveller is to experience Greenland, which is possible by travelling with our HX vessels that takes you along the coast, exploring both cultural and historical sights, featuring nature sightings and untouched areas.
To learn more about HX and the Arctic, head to our Expedition Cruise Academy.
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