Vacationers go to Nyhavn, the Seventeenth-century waterfront, in Copenhagen, Denmark, on this 2021 file photograph.
Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP through Getty Photographs
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Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP through Getty Photographs
Vacationers who go to Copenhagen this summer season may very well be handled to a free kayak rental or complimentary cup of espresso in the event that they make environmentally pleasant selections throughout their journey to the Danish capital.
The town introduced earlier this month that it was rolling out a brand new initiative, referred to as CopenPay, in an effort to incentivize extra sustainable behaviors amongst guests, akin to strolling, biking, taking public transit and choosing up litter.
“It’s about creating meaningful and memorable experiences that are enjoyable and environmentally responsible,” mentioned Mikkel Aarø Hansen, CEO of Fantastic Copenhagen, the town’s tourism company.
Arrive on the Nationwide Museum by bike or public transit, and you will get a free ice cream constituted of native rhubarb, strawberry and licorice whenever you purchase your ticket. Decide up trash within the BaneGaarden space for a free natural meal. GreenKayak will allow you to take out a kayak at no cost when you accumulate trash on the water and publish about it on social media.
Officers say individuals can present practice tickets or images of themselves participating in these climate-friendly actions as proof, but additionally famous that the scheme is “constructed on belief, simply as Danish society is probably the most trusting on the earth, in line with PEW Analysis.”
The pilot program comes as residents in different elements of Europe have been denouncing — and in some instances confronting — the droves of vacationers who flock to its historic cities and picturesque seashores yearly, contributing to speedy improvement and better prices for locals.
In Spain, protests erupted within the Canary Islands in response to overtourism, and demonstrators in Barcelona lately fired water pistols at diners. Venice restricted tour teams to 25 individuals this yr and imposed an entrance payment on some vacationers, although critics mentioned the pilot program focusing on daytrippers did little to cut back crowds.
Copenhagen officers say they aren’t making an attempt to extend tourism, however slightly to cut back the environmental influence that tourism presently has on the town of greater than 600,000 individuals.
Final yr, Copenhagen drew 12 million worldwide in a single day stays, the tourism board mentioned.
The pilot program launches on Monday with 24 taking part establishments and can proceed till Aug. 11. Officers say they hope it can change into a year-round program and develop past Copenhagen.
