Environmental respect is rewarded in Copenhagen. The city's Tourism Office, Wonderful Copenhagen, has launched an initiative for visitors to behave more sustainably. Starting July 15th, tourists who pick up trash, use public transportation, or bike around Copenhagen's streets will receive rewards in the form of free meals and activities such as kayak rentals, workshops, and guided museum tours.
According to Tourism officials, there is a need to change travelers' mindset and promote eco-friendly alternatives. "Data shows a willingness from visitors: 82% say they want to act sustainably, but only 22% have changed their behavior." While other popular destinations have chosen to ban alcohol consumption on the streets, limit tourist apartments, create entry fees for tourists, and restrict access to certain places to avoid overcrowding, CopenPay, as the Danish initiative is called, aims to transform green actions into cultural experiences. Their ambition is to inspire visitors to make conscious ecological decisions and offset the environmental impact of tourism.
With four times more bicycles than cars, the Danish capital is the world leader in cycling and ranks third in the list of the greenest cities on the planet, according to the latest Global Destination Sustainability Index. CopenPay invites visitors to contribute to their efforts with actions that not only improve the environment but also benefit the local community. For example, visitors who show up at the National Gallery of Denmark with plastic waste will be invited to a workshop to turn it into an artwork.
Additionally, those who use public transportation or a bike to reach the extraordinary Copenhill, the waste plant with a ski slope on the roof, can try the experience of sliding on the slopes for free. Furthermore, the Copenhagen Surf School offers a free lunch to surfers who participate in a 30-minute beach cleanup after their surf lesson.
Over 20 attractions are participating in this pilot project running until August 11th. And how will the city officials monitor these exchanges? According to the Tourism Office, the initiative is based on trust, meaning that by showing a train ticket, arriving by bike, or providing other simple proof of green actions, such as a photo, the traveler can redeem the rewards.