Data shows that on average, 81 per cent of consumers say they want to act sustainably, but only 22 per cent have changed their behaviour. Copenhagen’s new program, CopenPay, aims to make this easier by transforming eco-friendly actions into currency for local cultural experiences, encouraging tourists to adopt greener behaviours.
Starting July 15, tourists who take part in eco-friendly activities will get free access to various cultural and recreational experiences under the new program. Those who use bikes or trains, or help with local clean-ups, can enjoy free museum tours and kayak rentals among other perks.
For example, visitors who bike or take the train to CopenHill, an artificial ski slope on a waste-management centre, will get a free ride down the slope. The National Gallery of Denmark will host workshops where participants can turn plastic waste into art, and the Copenhagen Surf School will provide a free lunch to surfers who spend 30 minutes cleaning the beach after their surf session. More than 20 attractions are part of the program this summer.
Tourists can redeem their rewards by showing their train ticket, arriving by bicycle or presenting other simple proof of their eco-friendly actions.
“We must turn tourism from being an environmental burden into a force for positive change, and one important step in this transformation is to change how we move around on the destination, what we consume, and how we interact with the locals,” said Mikkel Aarø-Hansen, CEO of the Wonderful Copenhagen tourism organisation, in a press release.
Copenhagen hopes that by showcasing the success of this program, it will eventually run year-round and inspire other cities to adopt similar initiatives. While the initiative encourages tourists to act more sustainably during their holidays, it should also inspire visitors to continue their eco-friendly practices back home, spreading pro-environmental actions in their own communities.
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