Copenhagen to reward tourists for climate-friendly behavior
Rather than trying to halt overtourism by placing bans, or charging entry fees, Copenhagen is taking a much different stance on overtourism. As travelers arrive in the city for their summer vacations, they can receive special rewards while crowding out the Danish city. Rather than charging fees and imposing restrictions, the city wants to reward its visitors.
Meanwhile, the initiatives are offered for those cycling in the city, using trains to get around, and those who participate in clean-up efforts in the city. For their efforts, these visitors will earn free kayak rentals, free access to museum tours, free meals and more.
He added that an important step in the transformation “is to change how we move around on the destination, what we consume, and how we interact with the locals.”
According to a 2023 sustainable report by the London-based market research group, Kanter, roughly 81 percent of consumers say they want to act more sustainably. Meanwhile, only 22 percent have made a change in their behavior. Copenhagen’s new initiative, CopenPay hopes to bridge the gap between those desiring to act sustainably and those taking actual climate-friendly action.
About the rewards
Moreover, those surfers who participate in 30 minutes of beach cleaning after their surf course at Copenhagen Surf School, will enjoy a free lunch. Meanwhile, more than 20 attractions in Copenhagen will participate in the pilot program this summer.
Our vision with CopenPay is to create a ripple effect. We hope that by showcasing the success of this and other initiatives, other cities around the globe will be inspired to find their way to incentivize more sustainable tourism behavior, ultimately leading to a more sustainable future for everyone.
Here’s hoping Copenhagen’s new initiative will grow, inspiring other countries to do something similar, rather than holding banners reading: “Tourists Go Home.”
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