Go green this summer while on vacation in Copenhagen, Denmark, and you could earn some free rewards.
With Covid-19 restrictions being lifted, tourism in Europe is expected to reach new heights this year.
Figures of total tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2024 have already surpassed those from pre-pandemic levels of 2019.
Due to such heavy tourist influx, countries like Spain, Italy, and France have already increased tourist taxes.
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Many European countries are putting restrictions on tour group sizes and controlling tourist behavior to take advantage of the situation.
Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, on the other hand, will be rewarding tourists for good behavior.
Instead of discouraging or punishing unruly tourists, Copenhagen will be rewarding good behavior by giving incentives to travelers this summer.
The Danish government has launched an Eco-Conscious Rewards Program, where visitors can earn rewards for performing acts like picking up litter, doing short volunteering tasks, or using green transport for commuting.
In exchange for such good behavior, tourists will be rewarded with goodies like free public transport, attraction entrances, and other benefits.
The program is called Copenpay and will be in force for a month starting July 12 and will continue till August 11.
One of the most environmentally sustainable cities, Copenhagen, has also been awarded the European Green Capital prize and is expected to be carbon neutral by 2025.
Going by this vision, visitors can earn a wide range of rewards like a free lunch, a cup of coffee, a kayak tour, or even a free entrance to a museum.
For these rewards, tourists can choose from biking instead of driving, working in an urban garden, or helping to maintain the city.
Authorities expect tourists to “pledge to sustainable behavior,” which will help them in return by being eligible for several freebies from Danish companies involved in tourism.
However, these organizations will not be reimbursed by the government, and yet around 15 of them have registered themselves for the program.
Visitors will get a GPS map of the city with highlighted eateries, tourist attractions, and other services that will give them credits for the Eco-Conscious Rewards program along with details of the tasks they are required to do.
Even if a small percentage of tourists participate in the program, it will help them develop a greener mindset and as per Copenhagen officials, it will be “an amazing souvenir” to take back home!
