Greenland Joins Norway and Other Leading Destinations as HX Broadens Expedition Tourism for 2028–2029

Greenland joins Norway and other leading destinations as HX broadens expedition tourism for 2028–2029, bringing fresh attention to remote travel experiences across the Arctic, Scandinavia and North America. This enhanced program is expected to increase cruise destination options while allowing travelers to experience more in-depth and/or shorter travel experiences. The interest in expedition style cruise travel to remote and unspoiled areas of the world, and other types of nature-based travel, is increasing. This program allows the industry to fulfill that demand while extending the reach of more developed cruise and travel hubs to less developed and remote locations. As a result, travel in the 2028/2029 season is expected to be experience-based and centered on remote, unspoiled areas of the world.

HX 2028–2029 Expedition Cruise Tourism Programme Opens More Routes to Remote Destinations

The HX 2028–2029 expedition tourism programme expands access to remote coastal destinations through shorter voyages, deeper regional itineraries and new sailing areas. Greenland gains an eight-day West Greenland journey, while Southeast Alaska receives new eight-day northbound and southbound options. Scandinavia expands through voyages covering Norway, Sweden, the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Bothnia. The programme also extends Svalbard operations and adds wider Arctic and ocean-crossing choices. This approach places expedition cruise tourism around nature, coastal communities, wildlife and smaller destinations rather than relying only on traditional high-volume cruise ports. HX is also promoting early booking incentives across the programme.

• New eight-day itineraries are being introduced in West Greenland and Southeast Alaska.
• Norway and Sweden gain additional importance through the expanded Scandinavian programme.
• The Baltic Sea and Gulf of Bothnia represent new operating areas for HX.
• Svalbard is scheduled for a longer expedition season.
• HX is offering an additional 5% reduction on cabins and 10% on suites across available voyages.

Greenland Expedition Tourism Gains Momentum With Shorter West Coast Voyages

Greenland stands at the centre of the programme through a new eight-day West Greenland expedition. The route focuses on places including Ilulissat Icefjord, Disko Island and Eternity Fjord, with exploration planned throughout the voyage. This expansion arrives as Greenland records substantial tourism activity. Statistics Greenland recorded 213,674 cruise-passenger port visits in 2025, compared with 181,406 in 2024. Its accommodation data also recorded 396,846 overnight stays in 2025, up from 346,173 in 2024. These figures underline the growing importance of both marine and land-based tourism as Greenland becomes more accessible to international travellers.

• HX is adding an eight-day West Greenland itinerary.
• Ilulissat, Disko Island and Eternity Fjord are among its highlighted destinations.
• Statistics Greenland recorded 213,674 cruise-passenger port visits during 2025.
• Greenland recorded 396,846 accommodation overnight stays in 2025.
• The programme strengthens Greenland’s position within Arctic expedition cruise tourism.

Greenland Tourism Economy Shows Why Expedition Visitors Matter Beyond the Ship

The importance of Greenland expedition tourism extends beyond passenger numbers. Greenland’s first Tourism Satellite Account estimated that tourism directly generated DKK1.245 billion in value during 2024, equivalent to 4.9% of GDP, while directly supporting about 1,800 jobs. An accompanying tourism assessment estimated just over 149,000 international tourists in 2024. Approximately 95,000 were cruise tourists, including around 19,000 expedition cruise visitors. The figures also show why tourism strategy cannot depend simply on increasing arrivals. Accommodation use, visitor spending, seasonality and the amount of economic activity retained within local communities are important measures of destination value.

• Tourism directly represented 4.9% of Greenland’s GDP in 2024.
• Direct tourism value was estimated at DKK1.245 billion.
• Around 1,800 direct jobs were connected with tourism.
• Greenland received an estimated 149,000 international tourists.
• Around 19,000 visitors were identified as expedition cruise tourists.

Norway Tourism Growth Creates a Strong Base for Expanded Scandinavian Expeditions

Norway enters the HX 2028–2029 programme from a position of strong visitor demand. Statistics Norway recorded 40.6 million commercial guest nights in 2025, representing growth of 5.2% from 2024. International visitors generated 14.2 million of those nights, increasing 14%. The momentum continued into 2026. July produced 8.11 million total guest nights, including 7.76 million at commercial accommodation establishments. Vestland alone recorded more than 1.2 million commercial guest nights during July when domestic and international stays are combined. This matters for expedition tourism because Norway already combines established visitor infrastructure with fjords, coastal settlements and Arctic gateways.

• Norway registered 40.6 million commercial guest nights in 2025.
• International guest nights reached 14.2 million.
• Foreign guest nights increased by 14% in 2025.
• July 2026 generated 8.11 million total guest nights nationwide.
• HX plans Scandinavian itineraries that include exploration along Norway’s coast.

Svalbard Adds a Longer Arctic Travel Window to Norway Expedition Tourism

Svalbard gives Norway another important position within the expanding expedition cruise tourism market. HX says its 2028 programme will feature 22 Svalbard departures, stretching travel opportunities across different stages of the Arctic season. Official Norwegian statistics show the existing international appeal of the archipelago. In July 2026, commercial accommodation establishments in Svalbard recorded 20,063 guest nights, including 16,382 generated by foreign visitors. International travellers therefore accounted for the large majority of recorded commercial stays that month. A longer expedition season can expose visitors to different daylight, landscape and seasonal conditions while spreading tourism activity beyond a narrow peak travel window.

• HX plans 22 Svalbard departures during its 2028 season.
• The programme spans changing Arctic seasonal conditions.
• Svalbard recorded 20,063 commercial guest nights in July 2026.
• Foreign travellers generated 16,382 of those guest nights.
• Seasonal expansion can distribute visitor activity across a broader operating period.

Sweden Opens New Baltic and Gulf of Bothnia Territory for HX Expedition Voyages

Sweden represents one of the clearest geographical expansions within the new season. HX plans to enter the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Bothnia for the first time, alongside exploration of smaller communities, islands and skerries on Sweden’s west coast. This broadens the definition of expedition cruising beyond polar regions and introduces travellers to Scandinavian coastal environments during autumn. Sweden maintains official accommodation statistics covering hotels, holiday villages, hostels, campsites and commercially arranged private accommodation, giving the country an established framework for tracking tourism demand. The new itineraries could connect established Scandinavian tourism infrastructure with a more exploration-led form of coastal travel.

• HX is entering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Bothnia for the first time.
• Sweden’s west coast is included in the Scandinavian programme.
• Smaller communities, islands and skerries form part of the itinerary concept.
• Voyages are positioned around the beginning of the autumn season.
• The routes broaden expedition tourism in Scandinavia beyond traditional Arctic programmes.

United States Gains New Eight-Day Southeast Alaska Expedition Voyages

The United States component centres on Southeast Alaska, where HX is introducing new eight-day itineraries. Travellers can select northbound or southbound voyages, while combining both provides a longer regional journey with limited duplication between the routes. Activities include hiking, wildlife encounters and exploration on the water. HX also highlights access to communities including Kupreanof Island, Metlakatla and Katlian Bay. The programme arrives in a major cruise market. Alaska state information reports 2.71 million summer visitors in 2025, including approximately 1.78 million cruise visitors and 845,900 air visitors. Cruise travel therefore remains a major component of Alaska’s visitor economy.

• New Southeast Alaska voyages will operate for eight days.
• Northbound and southbound itineraries will be available.
• Combined voyages offer broader exploration with little route overlap.
• Alaska recorded about 2.71 million summer visitors in 2025.
• Approximately 1.78 million of those visitors travelled through the cruise segment.

Alaska Native Community Visits Add a Local Dimension to Expedition Cruise Tourism

The Alaska itineraries illustrate how expedition cruise tourism can differ from conventional port-focused cruising. Rather than concentrating entirely on large cruise hubs, the proposed journeys include hiking, wildlife viewing, water-based exploration and visits to smaller communities. HX specifically identifies Metlakatla, Kupreanof Island and Katlian Bay within its programme. This community dimension is relevant in a state where cruise travel already represents a substantial proportion of summer tourism. Alaska’s official state information places 2025 summer visitation more than 22% above its 2019 level, while statewide cruise volume stood at a sustained record of approximately 1.78 million visitors.

• Community visits form part of the Southeast Alaska itinerary.
• Metlakatla is specifically identified within the programme.
• Wildlife and guided outdoor activities complement cruise transport.
• Alaska’s summer visitor volume exceeded its 2019 level by more than 22% in 2025.
• Cruise visitors remain the largest of the principal visitor segments reported by the state.

Shorter Expeditions Could Make Remote Cruise Destinations Easier to Add to Travel Plans

One of the most significant structural changes in the HX programme is the expansion of eight-day expedition cruises. Traditional polar journeys can require considerable travel time, particularly when long sea passages are included. The West Greenland and Southeast Alaska programmes create one-week expedition formats while retaining destination-focused activities. In Greenland, HX says the eight-day itinerary is designed without sea days, placing each day around exploration. In Alaska, travellers can take an individual eight-day sailing or combine complementary northbound and southbound journeys. These formats could broaden itinerary choice for travellers who want nature-led cruise travel but have less time available for longer expeditions.

• West Greenland receives a new eight-day format.
• Southeast Alaska also receives eight-day expedition voyages.
• Greenland’s programme is structured without sea days.
• Alaska offers northbound and southbound options.
• Shorter durations add flexibility to the expedition cruise market.

Expedition Cruise Travel Could Spread Tourism Across More Coastal Communities

The wider travel impact of the 2028–2029 programme comes from geographic dispersal rather than simply adding cruise capacity. Greenland, Norway, Sweden and Alaska already receive international visitors, but the proposed voyages place additional emphasis on smaller islands, fjords, coastal communities and less conventional stops. That model can distribute passenger activity across a broader destination network. Greenland provides a particularly important context: its Tourism Satellite Account demonstrates that tourism already contributes measurable GDP and employment value, while official cruise statistics show growing port activity. Norway is simultaneously recording high accommodation demand, and Alaska’s cruise volume remains at record levels. Sweden adds a new Scandinavian operating area for HX.

• New itineraries distribute travel across several northern coastal regions.
• Smaller communities feature more prominently than on conventional high-volume routes.
• Greenland already receives measurable economic value and employment from tourism.
• Norway’s latest accommodation statistics demonstrate strong visitor demand.
• Alaska enters the programme with cruise visitation already at historically high levels.

Cruise Tourism Impact Extends From Visitor Flows to Local Accommodation and Regional Economies

The impact of expedition cruise tourism cannot be measured by passenger numbers alone. Cruise itineraries interact with flights, hotels, restaurants, ports, guides, excursions and local transport before, during and after a voyage. Greenland’s data illustrates this connection clearly. Its 2024 tourism assessment found that visitors arriving or departing by air as part of cruise journeys tended to spend more locally than passengers travelling entirely by sea. Meanwhile, Norway’s accommodation records show strong international demand, and Alaska’s visitor figures demonstrate the scale that cruise travel can achieve within a destination economy. Future expedition growth therefore creates opportunities, but economic value depends on how effectively visitor activity connects with local services.

• Cruise tourism supports demand beyond the vessel itself.
• Pre- and post-cruise stays can increase land-based visitor expenditure.
• Greenland data indicates fly-cruise passengers can generate greater local spending.
• Norway’s international accommodation demand provides a strong supporting tourism market.
• Smaller-scale expedition itineraries can connect travellers with more regional destinations.

Conclusion

Greenland joins Norway and other leading destinations as HX broadens expedition tourism for 2028–2029, reflecting a wider shift towards immersive, nature-focused and destination-led travel. This program benefits travel and crueline companies by focusing on remote and unspoiled areas of the world and offering more alternative travel experiences. Expedition cruise travel focuses on remote areas, but may also encompass nature and other travel experiences. HX’s focus on remote areas for travel in 2028/2029 allows other cruise and travel companies to offer similar remote and unspoiled travel opportunities. Travel and cruise companies should especially consider Greenland and Norway when developing travel and cruise offerings.