In today’s world, where data and insights shape strategic decisions, investing in advanced research is more important than ever. Recognising this, at Related, we’ve recently launched an industrial PhD project – a step that reflects both our desire to remain innovative and our long-term goals.
Here’s three reasons why this initiative matters.
1. Enhancing our Insights
At Related, we understand that insights play a pivotal role in our industry. That’s why the Related way of working begins with Insights – then we Innovate – and finally, we create Impact. In other words, insights are the backbone of innovation and assist in making a lasting impact through our PR and communication efforts. Our decision to enter into an industrial PhD project will most certainly enrich our team with sharp research skills and fresh perspectives, helping us stay ahead in the game.
2. Pioneering destination development model
The industrial PhD project is not just an academic exercise; it is a hands-on effort to design a new approach to destination development. We’re focusing on tourism capacity and place mobility, and the aim is to create a model that ensures sustainable development of a destination that is place specific and anchored in the resources present at the destination.
Greenland offers a perfect case study for this work. With three new airports on the horizon, the region is bound to see significant change in the time to come, and this creates a unique opportunity to examine how increased tourism affects a destination. It also allows us to investigate what aspects to incorporate in a model to develop sustainable tourism. While it’s a big destination geographically, measured in tourism numbers only Greenland is a small destination – now facing major changes.
This project is a testament to our dedication to fostering development where it is most needed, and we are really excited to see what innovative solutions will emerge from our research.
3. An increased focus on Greenland
Greenland, with its unique landscape and the increasing interest from the global tourism industry, is a fascinating focus for this PhD project. As tourism begins to take centre stage in Greenland’s economic landscape, our support for knowledge-based development becomes even more critical. We are eager to contribute to the sustainable growth of Greenland’s tourism sector, ensuring that it benefits from research-backed strategies and insights.
The PhD project is led by Heidi Vorre, who will work from our Aarhus office and spend considerable time in Greenland. Her work will involve collecting data, talking with industry partners, and ensuring the project’s relevance and anchoring in the Greenlandic society.
This initiative is a partnership with and funded by Innovation Fund Denmark, Visit Nuuk, Bank of Greenland’s Business Fund, Avannaata Municipality, Visit Greenland, and Nalik Ventures.
Related’s engagement in this project is a strategic move designed to strengthen our insights, pioneer destination development models, and support the growth of tourism in Greenland. We’re very excited about the transformative potential of this project—not only for Related but also for the sustainable development of Greenland’s tourism landscape.
