Copenhagen will reward tourists who take care of the environment with free food and visits

() – Visitors to Copenhagen who engage in environmentally friendly activities, such as picking up litter or traveling on public transport, could be rewarded with food, cultural experiences and free visits under a new pilot programme.

The CopenPay test program, which will run between July 15 and August 11, consists of “transforming ecological actions into currency for cultural experiences,” according to the Danish capital’s tourism authority in a statement on Monday. , Visit Copenhagen, also known as Wonderful Copenhagen.

For example, visitors who bring plastic waste to the National Gallery of Denmark will have access to a workshop where they can turn it into a work of art, while those who cycle or take public transport to the city’s famous thermal power station will be able to ski on an artificial track located on the roof of the building.

“CopenPay rewards actions like riding a bike, participating in clean-ups or volunteering on urban farms with access to a range of enriching experiences and everyday wonders of Copenhagen. “This includes free guided museum tours, free kayak rentals, and even a free vegetarian lunch made with local produce,” Wonderful Copenhagen’s statement added.

The Danish capital is popular with visitors for its beautiful architecture, first-class cuisine and a safe, clean and green environment.

It is an ideal place to go on two wheels, with 382 kilometers of bike lanes and where 62% of all citizens travel on this means, according to the tourist office.

“With CopenPay, we give people the chance to enjoy more of what Copenhagen has to offer while reducing the burden it places on our planet,” said Mikkel Aarø Hansen, CEO of Wonderful Copenhagen, in a statement. “It’s about creating meaningful and memorable experiences that are enjoyable and environmentally responsible.”

Rewards can be awarded if visitors show a public transport ticket, for example, but the system is based primarily on trust.

On the Internet there is a map with more than 20 participating locations. The pilot project could run year-round if successful.

The program is launched at a time of growing concern about the environmental and social impact of tourism, which has recently sparked protests in Barcelona, ​​the Canary Islands and Mallorca.

“We must ensure that tourism stops being an environmental burden and becomes a force for positive change, and an important step in this transformation is changing how we move around the destination, what we consume and how we interact with the locals,” says Hansen. in the Wonderful Copenhagen press release.