The Battle Against Overtourism: Copenhagen’s Innovative Approach
This summer, many popular destinations in Europe are struggling with the consequences of mass tourism. In recent years, overtourism has led to concerns about the impact of tourists on local communities and the environment. In response, Copenhagen, Denmark, is taking a new approach to turn tourism into a positive force. By rewarding visitors for making environmentally-friendly choices, the city aims to reduce the negative impact of tourism and promote a more sustainable experience.
Copenhagen’s CopenPay Program
The city’s innovative solution is the CopenPay program, a pilot project that offers "carrots" to tourists who take climate-friendly actions. Visitors can earn rewards, such as free lunches, coffee, kayak tours, or museum entrances, by making sustainable choices during their stay. The program currently features 24 participating attractions, ranging from bike rentals to The National Gallery of Denmark.
Encouraging Sustainable Tourism
The goal of CopenPay is to encourage visitors to make conscious choices that positively impact the city while incentivizing them to visit the city’s key attractions. For instance, the Copenhagen Surf School will provide free lunch to surfers who help with 30 minutes of beach cleaning after their surf lesson.
According to Wonderful Copenhagen, the city’s official tourism organization, the initiative is not meant to increase tourism but to promote a better way to experience the city. The organization believes that by changing how visitors interact with the city, it can lead to a more sustainable future for both locals and tourists.
The Tourism Tug-of-War
Europe has always been a popular destination for vacationers. However, the recent surge in tourism has led to concerns about the impact of visitors on local communities. In Madrid, locals have been priced out of the housing market due to the growth of holiday rentals catering to tourists. Barcelona has taken measures to ban short-term rentals and Amsterdam has tightened rules around new hotel construction.
Iceland has also faced issues with overtourism, leading it to introduce a tourist tax on hotels, campsites, and cruise ships. These measures illustrate the delicate balance that popular European destinations must strike between curbing visitor numbers without discouraging tourism entirely. Tourism is a key revenue generator and employer for many economies.
A New Era of Sustainable Tourism
If Copenhagen’s CopenPay program is successful in turning tourism into a force for good, it could set an example for other cities to follow. "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 Wonderful Copenhagen.
FAQs
Q: What is CopenPay?
A: CopenPay is a pilot program that rewards tourists for making environmentally-friendly choices during their stay in Copenhagen.
Q: What kind of rewards are offered through CopenPay?
A: CopenPay offers rewards such as free lunches, coffee, kayak tours, and museum entrances.
Q: How can visitors earn rewards through CopenPay?
A: Visitors can earn rewards by participating in sustainable activities such as cleaning beaches, biking, or taking a museum tour.
Q: Is CopenPay only available in Copenhagen?
A: Yes, CopenPay is a Copenhagen-specific program, but the idea can be replicated in other cities.
Q: Can I participate in CopenPay even if I’m already staying in Copenhagen?
A: Yes, the program is open to all visitors who want to make sustainable choices during their stay.
Conclusion:
Copenhagen’s CopenPay program is a bold attempt to redefine the tourism industry and promote sustainable tourism practices. By rewarding visitors for making environmentally-friendly choices, the city aims to reduce its carbon footprint and promote a more positive experience for locals and tourists alike. If successful, this initiative could inspire other cities to follow suit, creating a new era of sustainable tourism.
Author: fortune.com
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