Denmark’s capital Copenhagen is piloting a new program, "CopenPay," this summer in an effort to influence and encourage tourists to make green choices.
Data shows a significant willingness with 82 percent of travelers saying they want to act sustainably. However, only 22 percent have changed their behavior. With this in mind, Copenhagen’s official tourism organization will introduce CopenPay, a new initiative transforming green actions into currency for cultural experiences. CopenPay rewards actions such as cycling, participating in clean-up efforts or volunteering at urban farms with access to a variety of enriching experiences. This includes complimentary guided museum tours, free kayak rentals and even a free vegetarian lunch made from locally grown produce.
The simplicity of the system allows easy participation. For instance, visitors arriving at the National Gallery of Denmark with plastic waste are invited to a workshop to turn their waste into art. Similarly, taking public transportation or riding a bike to Copenhagen’s heating plant provides a unique experience of skiing down the building’s sloping roof. Tourists can show a train ticket, arrive on a bicycle or present other simple proof of green actions to redeem their rewards.
This summer, all tourists are invited to partake in CopenPay, with regular updates on available attractions and rewards at www.copenpay.com, which is set to launch on July 15. The Copenpay pilot project will run throughout the high season, July 15 to August 11. A range of attractions will participate in the pilot project, including The National Museum, The National Gallery of Denmark, The Museum of Copenhagen, Green Kayak, Copenhill, Donkey Republic bike rental and more.
Launching with over 20 attractions this summer, CopenPay not only aims to enhance the guests’ local experience but also to inspire other cities around the world to introduce similar initiatives.
For more information, visit www.wonderfulcopenhagen.com.
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