Copenhague recompensará turistas responsáveis ​​com comida e excursões gratuitas

Visitors to Copenhagen who engage in eco-friendly activities, such as picking up litter or using public transportation, may be rewarded with free food, cultural events, and tours as part of a new pilot program.

The experimental scheme, called CopenPay, will run from July 15th to August 11th and aims to "turn environmental actions into currency for cultural experiences," said Copenhagen's tourism authority, Visit Copenhagen, also known as Wonderful Copenhagen, in a statement on Monday.

For example, visitors who bring plastic waste to the National Gallery of Denmark will have access to a workshop where they can transform it into a piece of art, and those who arrive at the city's famous power plant by bike or public transportation can ski on an artificial ski slope on the roof of a building.

"CopenPay rewards activities such as cycling, participating in cleanups, or volunteering on urban farms, providing access to a variety of enriching experiences and the wonders of everyday life in Copenhagen. This includes free museum visits, free kayak rentals, and even a free vegetarian lunch made with local produce," said Wonderful Copenhagen in a statement.

The Danish capital is popular among tourists for its beautiful architecture, first-class cuisine, and safe, clean, and green environment.

It's a great place to get around on two wheels, with 382 kilometers (237 miles) of bike lanes and 62% of all residents cycling to work, according to the tourism board.

"With CopenPay, we are giving people the opportunity to experience more of what Copenhagen has to offer while putting less strain on our planet," said Mikkel Aaro Hansen, CEO of Wonderful Copenhagen, in a statement. "It's about creating meaningful and memorable experiences that are enjoyable and environmentally responsible."

For example, visitors may receive rewards for presenting a public transportation ticket, but the system relies largely on trust.

A map is available online, showing over 20 participating locations. If successful, the pilot project may be implemented throughout the year.

The program comes at a time of growing concern about the environmental and social impacts of tourism, which have recently sparked protests in Barcelona, the Canary Islands, and Mallorca.

"We need to transform tourism from a burden on the environment into a force for positive change, and an important step in this transformation is to change how we get around in our destinations, what we consume, and how we interact with local residents," said Hansen in a Wonderful Copenhagen press release.