Fehmarnbelt crossing: Tourism in the Plön district is expecting a big boom!

Fehmarnbelt crossing: Tourism in the Plön district is expecting a big boom!

The Fehmarnbelt Fixed Link, an important infrastructure project between Germany and Denmark, is increasingly taking shape and is intended to significantly improve Schleswig-Holstein's connection to Scandinavia. The plan is to complete the approximately 20 kilometer long connection between Puttgarden and Rødby in Denmark by 2029. This connection will include both a double-track electrified railway line and a four-lane road connection. The official start of construction took place on January 1, 2021, with a state treaty between Germany and Denmark having been signed in 2008 and coming into force in 2010 after the ratification documents were exchanged. Femern A/S, a Danish state-owned company, is responsible for the planning and receives extensive funding from the EU, which is providing a total of 1.288 billion euros for the rail part, while 159.5 million euros are available for the construction of the tunnel. In addition, additional CEF funding of 49 million euros is expected for the German rail connection in 2024. This information comes from BMV.

The impact of this project on tourism in the Plön district could be significant. “An upturn in tourism is expected,” says Christian Kliesow Remes, authorized representative of the Economic Development Agency (WFA) in the Plön district. The preparations in the district advocate making better use of the economic potential. For example, Munich residents could travel to Hohwacht to visit Denmark. Deutsche Bahn estimates that the travel time from Hamburg to Copenhagen can be reduced from over 4.5 hours to 2.5 hours, increasing the attractiveness of traveling to the region.

Economic opportunities in the Plön district

For the Plön district, the Fehmarnbelt crossing is not only a ray of hope for tourism, but also offers great economic opportunities. With large areas available compared to cities such as Kiel and Neumünster, the WFA ensures that the commercial space requirement of 255 hectares can be covered over the next 15 years. These include identified areas in the inter-municipal industrial area “Barkauer Land” and other areas along the Autobahn 21 (A 21) near Wankendorf/Stolpe. Particular emphasis is placed on the availability of resources, including renewable energies, which could be of interest to companies from the Benelux countries.

Another important point is the planning of substations in Trent and on the border of Kiel-Rönne and Honigsee, which should help to supply the region with sustainable energy. Especially since the infrastructure in the Plön district is being expanded and optimized, the prerequisites for dynamic economic development are in place. This positive outlook for future growth is viewed with anticipation as the region wants to be well prepared for the challenges of the coming years.

Expectations are high, both in terms of tourism and economic effects. The construction of the fixed Fehmarnbelt link is therefore not only a structural engineering challenge, but also a significant opportunity for the Schleswig-Holstein region and especially for the Plön district kn online reported.