Everything from accommodation to cross-cutting collaborations was discussed, when Qeqertalik Business Council invited business owners and tour operators to a seminar. The theme was micro-infrastructure, but also area allocations, transportation, local will and politcal engagement was topiced.

Focus: Outlying areas and Qeqertalik

The purpose of the seminar was to focus on how the operators of the municipality of Qeqertalik as well as the outlying areas of Avannaata can coorporate and take advantage of the increasing number of tourists, when the new airport in Ilulissat opens in 2024. The seminar took place in Aasiaat on 5th and 6th of April 2022, and it was a follow up on a bigger similar seminar held in Avannaata in October 2021.

“We were very excited about the activity that the participiants showed at the seminar. Obviously, the local will is present for doing more to secure the development of the tourist industry of Qeqertalik,” says Gerth P. Olsen, CEO of Qeqertalik Business Council.

Wants clear political goals

The seminar begun with a series of presentations about to inspire. After the presentations, group working and networking took place. The event ended with presentations of the group work as well as dialogue.

The conclusion was that better and clearer political framework is necessary for how the development should go. The entrepeneurs lack inspiration and knowledge about how to make their priorities in working with tourism. Amongst other things, the participiants asked for concrete municipal plans as well as realistic long-term goals.

Qeqertalik Business Council will continue to work with the inputs and ideas from the seminar, e.g. in the future business plan. Furthermore the business council send the results of the seminar to local and national political actors. Gerth P. Olsen says:

“The seminar and the ideas of the operators emphasize the importance of local entrepeneurs meeting and creating new collaborations, as they did at our seminar. We are proud to arrange that. Now it is up to the political decision makers to use this engagement and create a good clear framework for their ideas, so that we can keep up the motivation of the local operators.”