New airport creates optimism in the business community

Last Thursday was an important day for South Greenland, when air traffic moved from Narsarsuaq to the regional center Qaqortoq.

But the new airport has already created high expectations in the city and the region, long before it was completed.

This is confirmed by Miki Jensen, director of Innovation South Greenland. He himself is an example of the airport making a difference, he says.

“I grew up here in Qaqortoq and moved when I was 18. At the time, I didn’t think I would be here as an adult and grow old here. But I came home, and the airport helped bring me home. I know that others have felt the same way.

– We are feeling it, among other things, in the form of external interest in the industry in South Greenland. Before, it was mostly us locals who saw the opportunities. Now you can see that Topas has bought the region's largest hotel, Hotel Qaqortoq, emphasizes Miki Jensen.

How will you ensure that the entire region benefits from the development?

– Of course, the airport should benefit the entire region and not just Qaqortoq. This is also evident from our tourism strategy, where our biggest mission is to spread tourism throughout the region, says Miki Jensen.

A complete package

The director emphasizes that there is a short distance between cities and other interesting places in South Greenland, compared to other regions in the country. Therefore, it is also about marketing the region as a package rather than advertising a single city destination.

Do you have enough places for people to sleep and eat?

– It is true that we need more accommodation options – how many depends on the development, of course. We have done a capacity analysis. We recently held a mini-course with the Tax Agency in South Greenland, where we discussed the rules, for example, if you want to open Airbnb.

– I am not so worried about the restaurants. I think it will be easier to adapt the offer to the need there, says Miki Jensen.

April 16 was a big day for several reasons. In addition to helping to open a new airport, Miki Jensen got married on the day. This also became a kind of wedding party, as the airport was celebrated in the sports hall on Thursday evening.