The exotic close at hand

Mr Steinle, when did you last visit Fehmarn?

Steinle: In 2010, on my way to a holiday in Denmark.

On that occasion, you would have taken the ferry. From 2020 onwards, Fehmarn and Lolland will be connected by a tunnel - a major project that not everyone is equally enthusiastic about. Local pressure groups have been set up from Bad Schwartau to Puttgarden. Why are people so upset about it?

People are angry because of the encroachment into nature.

As nature conservation has very high priority in Germany, this is a sensitive issue, with almost religious connotations. That’s why people are protesting. Take nuclear power, for instance. No other country is so passionate about abolishing nuclear power than Germany. And nowhere else is the construction of a railway station subject to such vehement debate.  

Is this to do with the fear of change to everyday life? 

We humans are creatures of habit. We basically think that change is unpleasant. But on the other hand, we’re also illogical. We want the benefits but not the disadvantages. We support the transition to sustainable energy, but we don’t want wind turbines on our doorstep.

The planned fixed link across the Fehmarnbelt will usher in major changes. The Chair of Region Skåne, Pia Kinhult, predicts that science and mobility will see strong development and that the Øresund Region will get much closer to Hamburg. Will that happen?  

In the first place, we would much rather sit in a car and drive through a tunnel than take a ferry, which is time-consuming and requires planning. Also, if you arrive late, you’re stuck. With an underground link, the two countries will be brought closer together in terms of time. Journeys between Copenhagen and Hamburg will be quicker and faster traffic links will result in improved exchange of ideas because people will be able to exchange them face-to-face. Science, business and industry thrive on new ideas.

How will the region around the Fehmarnbelt benefit from this?

Mobility in itself is a fact of life. Scientists and business people need to be mobile. Tourists are mobile, too. When they’re out and about meeting people, eating and drinking, they may need to have their car repaired or buy something in a shop. In other words, they’ll be spending money which brings its own benefits. An area with a well-developed traffic infrastructure will always attract a plethora of services.  

This indicates a boost to business as well as job creation...  

Yes, why shouldn’t a German craftsman put his skills to work in Denmark if he turns out to be the best qualified for the job? At the same time, a Dane able to build saunas can offer his skills in Germany if he can get there in two hours or so. Things will perhaps start gradually and then grow. A German baker could also open a branch in Denmark. And when a few Germans start working there....

And what role will tourism play? So far, neither Danes nor Germans have been interested in the region as a holiday destination. There’s lots of space, but nothing to do.  

Our studies show that many young people hardly know the Fehmarnbelt Region. People without children don’t think of the region as a holiday destination and people in the survey admitted knowing little about the area. There are still too many people for whom the region remains an unknown quantity. But things don’t necessarily have to be like this. Creativity is what’s required. Because of the fast connection to Scandinavia, Fehmarnbelt has strong potential to become a region of learning and discovery. Some opportunities have to be created – a “marine environment centre” for children, for instance, or water sports facilities. The wind here is ideal for surfing, sailing and kiting. Festivals could be organised. There are lots of examples of people willing to make a detour to attend such events - or to drive to remote areas.  

What could be offered along the lines of the Roskilde Festival?   

Take Tromsø in Norway. The world’s most northern film festival is held here, close to the Polar Circle. Although you would think that events like this would fail because of their geographical location, the event attracts a significant following every year. You could also organise events that relate to the cultural landscape. This year, the first “world fish sandwich day” was held in Schleswig-Holstein with events along Schleswig-Holstein’s coastline. The day proved to be a great success. People travelled long distances to be there. 

Aren’t the landscape and inhabitants on the Danish and German side very much alike? Is there any incentive for the inhabitants of either country to holiday “on the other side”?

There are similarities, but also significant differences. Danes are regarded as open and informal in their approach. And Scandinavia has a child-friendly image. We enjoy the uncomplicated, stress-free life in Denmark when we spend the summer in a lovely holiday home.

Isn’t this image like something out of an IKEA catalogue?

Yes, we like the atmosphere, but also the pure Scandinavian style that you see in fashion and architecture. It dovetails well with summers and holidays. So-called “open-house” holidays are also becoming popular, i.e. you rent a large house with room for guests which enables you to meet up with friends or family during your holiday. Everyone stays for a maximum of a couple of days and then leaves – before it all becomes too stressful. You could also introduce this type of holiday on the German side. 

Danish culture to Germany. Great! But what can you offer the Danes?  

Spa and wellness hotels. They’re cheaper in Germany than in Denmark. Because Denmark and Germany will be within reach of each other, this would also attract day and weekend tourists. Business people keen to have a break and spend some time by the sea would also be in scope. 

Wouldn’t it make sense to market the two coastal regions separately?   

The two coastal regions both offer fantastic active holiday opportunities with lots of facilities to relax. This is what links them together. But because of the size of the area, it wouldn’t benefit tourism if both regions were promoted as identical. People like diversity and the differences should be highlighted. Using the link could also be an incentive. Young Germans could quickly get to “cool” Copenhagen with its many restaurants. Stressed-out young Danes could take short “wellness” breaks on the German Baltic Sea coast. In Germany, there would perhaps be more focus on water sports while the Danes would emphasise their child-friendly holidays.

But peace and quiet and proximity to nature would be the overriding concept that would characterise both coastal regions?  

There shouldn’t be too much emphasis on “quiet”. But the concept should clearly be on proximity to nature combined with regional experiences such as regional cooking. Many people find all this very attractive.

Today simplicity and accessibility are far more popular than a decade ago so it would be right to focus on this because this is where you find the opportunities offered by the region. The exotic close at hand is attractive – providing the right offer is available.