Copenhagen rewards green tourism: Innovative and sustainable approach

Copenhagen launched an innovative initiative to stimulate sustainable tourism, offering rewards to tourists and locals who adopt environmental behaviour.

In a context where many European capitals take drastic measures against excessive tourism, the Danish capital chooses a different approach, rewarding environmental tourists with various benefits.

Rewards for Sustainable Tourism

Sustainable tourism is encouraged through a program that offers lunches, coffee or free museum entries for those who choose to ride a bike or use the train.

The programme also rewards contributions to the city’s maintenance, such as working in an urban garden or other sustainable behaviors.

According to Denmark’s tourism office:“Earn rewards in Copenhagen attractions, get a free lunch or coffee, a kayak tour or even a free entrance to a museum. All you have to do is ride a bike instead of driving, helping maintain the city, working in an urban garden or adopting sustainable behavior.”

Campaign period and Benefits

From today until August 11th, those who bring their own reusable coffee cups can receive a free drink in certain cafes.

Other advantages include free cocktails or extra time spent in the city’s artificial ski slopes complex. Those using public transport or helping to collect garbage in port or parks will also be rewarded.

Interactive Map and Locations

On siteVisit Copenhagenan interactive map was published with 24 sites that reward environmental actions.

Across the whole of Hungary, tourists can rent bicycles to travel with zero emissions and tap water is promoted as a sustainable alternative to bottled water.

“Helping to clean the port improves living conditions for thousands of people and helps keep it as a valuable urban leisure area. Tourists and residents can receive their rewards by presenting train tickets or evidence that they have rented bicycles,”explain the municipality.

An Example for Other Cities

Mikkel Aarø-Hansen, from the official travel office Wonderful Copenhagen, hopes that this initiative will inspire other cities to develop advantageous relations between tourists and locals. In contrast, other European capitals have adopted restrictive measures to combat excessive tourism.

For example, in Barcelona, visitors were sprayed with water pistols by locals, while in Venice, travellers have to pay a daily fee of 5 euros.

In Dubrovnik, tourists were asked to avoid the use of trollers on the rocky streets due to noise, and the Balearic Islands, such as Mallorca and Ibiza, imposed restrictions on alcohol consumption.

Source:The Guardian• Photo:visitcoluagen.com