Copenhagen offers tourists free lunches to spur behavioural change

Denmark’s capital Copenhagen will reward eco-minded tourists with free perks including coffee, lunches and kayak trips in return for eco-friendly actions like biking, picking up litter or working in an urban garden.

The initiative, dubbed CopenPay, is being run by the city’s tourist board Wonderful Copenhagen from 15 July to 11 August.

“With CopenPay, we’re empowering people to experience more of what Copenhagen offers while placing less burden on our planet,” said Mikkel Aarø Hansen, CEO of Wonderful Copenhagen.

“It’s about creating meaningful and memorable experiences that are enjoyable and environmentally responsible.”

Despite being aimed at tourists, residents can also take part in the scheme.

Based on the evaluation, the city hopes to reintroduce CopenPay as a year-round, green payment experience within the economy and broaden the concept to other parts of Denmark and the rest of the world.

The city says there is a need “to change the mindset of tourists and encourage green choices”, with data showing that 82 percent of tourists say they want to act sustainably, but only 22 percent have actually changed their behaviour.

What’s on offer

The CopenPay website features an interactive map which pins all the participating attractions where visitors can lend some of their time and help for a climate-friendly action.

The map also describes the reward they can expect and how to obtain it.

Rewards include complimentary guided museum tours, kayak rentals, or free vegetarian lunches made from local crops.

Visitors arriving at the National Gallery of Denmark with plastic waste are invited to a workshop to turn it into a piece of art, while taking public transport or a bike to the city’s iconic heating plant gives people a chance to ski down the slope on the building’s roof.

Visit Copenhagen says tourists and residents can redeem rewards “by showing proof of green actions”, such as train tickets or even photos of themselves biking or participating in cleanup efforts, but added that CopenPay is “built on trust”.

A spokesperson from the agency declined to comment on how the scheme is funded, or whether there were limits on the number of rewards available.

“I am thrilled to see an initiative like CopenPay that combines our rich cultural life with a strong commitment to sustainability,” said Copenhagen Lord Mayor Sophie Hæstorp Andersen.

“By converting green actions into currency for cultural experiences, tourists are given a unique opportunity to explore Copenhagen in a way that benefits both the environment and the local community.”

Image: Visit Copenhagen