My first introduction to Greenland came from a world map that adorned my childhood bedroom wall. Years later, I finally set foot in its capital, Nuuk—a place I had long imagined through images of its vividly painted wooden houses perched along rugged shores. Red, yellow, green, and blue facades stood in striking contrast to the icy expanse. Small icebergs drifted nearby, and the treeless terrain created an almost extraterrestrial atmosphere. I was eager to breathe in the crisp polar air, admire Inuit artistry at the Nuuk Kunstmuseum, and, if luck was on my side, catch a glimpse of seals or a passing whale.

I'm far from the only traveler captivated by Greenland’s frozen splendor. Between 2018 and 2023, tourism surged by 46%, culminating in 131,767 visitors last year. This spike is largely driven by an influx of cruise ships navigating Arctic waters. The Arctic Council reports a 37% increase in vessels entering the Arctic Polar Code area—an ecologically sensitive maritime zone—between 2013 and 2024. Cruise companies like Hurtigruten, Swan Hellenic, and Ponant have capitalized on the region’s allure, offering itineraries that weave through Iceland, Svalbard, and Greenland. With Nuuk’s airport expansion in 2024 and two additional international airports slated for completion by 2026, Greenland is bracing for even more visitors.

Meanwhile, at the opposite end of the world, Antarctica is experiencing its own tourism boom. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has tracked a steady rise in visitors since the 1990s. In the 2022-23 season, 104,897 travelers ventured to the continent, a figure that climbed to 124,262 the following year. More than 80,000 of them set foot on Antarctic soil—a statistic that alarms conservationists, who warn that human presence can disturb fragile ecosystems, alter wildlife behavior, and introduce invasive species.

As the polar regions become increasingly popular destinations, organizations like the Arctic Council, the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO), and Visit Greenland emphasize the need to balance economic benefits with environmental responsibility. The appeal of these remote frontiers is undeniable—the stark, lunar-like landscapes, the piercing blue sky over a frozen expanse, the exhilarating crunch of fresh snow underfoot, and the remarkable wildlife that thrives against all odds.

James Grecian, a marine ecologist at Durham University and scientist-in-residence at the climate advocacy nonprofit Arctic Basecamp, has spent years researching polar wildlife. On a recent expedition to Antarctica, his focus was snow petrels—or more specifically, their regurgitated stomach oil. The solidified remnants of this oil, when analyzed in a lab, reveal how the birds’ diet has evolved over time, offering insights into changes within the local ecosystem. "By collecting samples from the environment or animals, we can uncover valuable information about past conditions," Grecian explains. "For instance, baleen plates from deceased whales carry chemical signatures that tell us what they were eating and provide clues about environmental shifts."

As someone who frequently visits these fragile regions, Grecian understands their magnetic pull—but also their vulnerability. He stresses that while polar tourism is unlikely to slow down, travelers can make conscious choices to minimize their impact. By being more aware of the consequences, visitors can ensure they explore responsibly, helping to safeguard these extraordinary landscapes for future generations. Here’s how.