February 11 — Greenland and Panama, two countries that differ in many ways, have something in common. Both have recently become political talking points on the international stage due to references made by U.S. President Donald Trump. Kiwi.com, a leader in travel-tech, has analyzed both locations from a tourism perspective.
Greenland is known for its strategic location between Europe and North America, and its rich natural resources have long attracted the attention of global powers. However, this Arctic gem has seen a rise in tourism in recent years. The trend has been further boosted by the opening of a new international airport near Nuuk in November 2024. The airport can now handle long-haul flights, which previously had to land at a former military base. These changes make Greenland more accessible to a wider range of travelers seeking unique experiences, such as viewing the Northern Lights, whale-watching tours, glacier expeditions, Arctic Circle hikes, and exploring Inuit culture.
Greenland Gains Global Importance
Although Kiwi.com data indicates that it is one of the less frequented routes, with only a few bookings, flight searches to Greenland suggest it is quickly becoming more popular among travelers worldwide. Google Trends shows a global increase in searches for Greenland starting in December, peaking in the second week of January. At one point, Greenland even surpassed Panama, another trending country. Flight searches to Greenland on Kiwi.com increased by 120% in January compared to the previous year and by 50% compared to December 2024.
“We’ve noticed that the biggest surge in interest for Greenland came from the U.S., with the second-highest number of searches in January. Last month, our customers had four times more searches than a year ago,” commented Sergi López Rey, Director of Commercial Analytics at Kiwi.com. “It’s no surprise that the highest number of searches was for connections originating from Denmark, with three times more in January compared to last year and a 50% month-on-month increase,” he added.
However, searches from the U.S. and Denmark are not the only ones—Greenland has generated massive global interest. Searches from the UK increased by 178% compared to last year, Germany +100%, France +219%, Poland +154%, Canada +82%, and Czech Republic +224%—just a few examples.
The Timeless Charm of Panama
On the other hand, Panama has been popular among backpackers for many years, being one of the top destinations in the region. When travelers seek jungles, skyscrapers, and local hospitality, they head to Panama. They can explore natural landscapes, stroll through the old town once frequented by pirates, or savor local delicacies like grilled octopus and fried plantains.
“The best time to visit Panama is between December and April when the weather is perfect. Panama has a tropical climate year-round, with a dry season from December to April and a rainy season from May to November, which still has many sunny days,” recommends Levente Fülöp, a young Hungarian traveler who visited Panama as part of Kiwi.com’s World Travel Hackers challenge.
As it’s the peak tourist season, the recent attention from President Trump has not led to significant changes compared to last year, but there was a global 20% increase in flight searches to Panama in January compared to December last year, according to Kiwi.com data. From the U.S., searches increased by 17%, Colombia +35%, France +29%, Brazil +32%, Italy +41%, and the UK +26%.
While Greenland is on an upward trend in global searches, and Panama maintains its timeless charm, these contrasting travel trends highlight the global appetite for both new frontiers and classic tropical escapes.
