CopenPay

DANISH CITY LAUNCHES FREE REWARDS FOR 'GREEN LIVING'

Did you know that Copenhagen, Denmark is the third most sustainable destination in the world? Launching on 15th July and running until 11th August 2024, both visitors and residents are being inspired to act sustainably and make conscious green choices, such as cycling, participating in cleanup efforts or volunteering at urban farms, in exchange for free cultural experiences. These include over 20 attractions, who are not being re-funded by the government but are offering all sorts of freebies such as complimentary guided museum tours, kayak rentals, and even a vegetarian lunch made from local crops. Some of their other offerings are more unusual.

"For instance, visitors arriving at the National Gallery of Denmark with plastic waste are invited to a workshop to turn it into a piece of art. Similarly, taking public transport or a bike to Copenhagen's iconic heating plant grants a unique experience of skiing down its slope on the building's roof", say the organisers of 'CopenPay', an initiative of 'Wonderful Copenhagen' the official tourism organisation.

"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 Aaro-Hansen, Wonder Copenhagen CEO.

The organisation are hoping that evaluation of this pilot project will lead to the scheme can be reintroduced as a year-round, green payment experience within the economy and that the concept will be widened to include other parts of Denmark and the rest of the world.

"With CopenPay we want travellers as well as local attractions to focus on the change and the choices, we need to make. Since travelling is international, our success is dependent on the choices of people and destinations elsewhere. We therefore also strive to inspire sustainable behaviours and cultural appreciation worldwide."

Photo credits: VisitCopenhagen