Tourists thinking of travelling to Copenhagen are being offered a free lunch, kayak tour or museum entrance by “showing proof of green actions”.
While “degrowth” protesters in Barcelona are discouraging visitors, authorities in the Danish capital are offering perks and freebies if people “bike instead of drive” or “work in an urban garden”, for example.
An initiative called CopenPay launches today and continues until 11 August.
There are 24 attractions “rewarding climate-friendly actions” and they can be found on the Visit Copenhagen website.
Free bike rental and ice creams are also among the rewards.
Tourists are advised there are rental bikes all over Copenhagen, enabling them to “ride the city emission-free like a local”.
“Copenhagen tap water is clean and tasty, and compared to bottled water, it leaves a significantly smaller mark on the environment,” the website says.
“Helping to clean up the harbour improves livability for thousands as you maintain it as a valuable recreational urban area.”
The purpose of CopenPay is to “encourage sustainable behaviour” by “transforming green actions into currency”.
Tourists must show proof, such as train tickets or cycle hire.
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A demonstrator argues with tourists in Barcelona. Pic: Reuters
In Barcelona, water pistols have been squirted at tourists, tape has crisscrossed the doors of hotels, and placards have been brandished at lunching holidaymakers.
Earlier this month, pictures showed people marching down the streets and remonstrating with diners sitting outside restaurants.
The protest was led by the Assemblea de Barris pel Decreixement Turistic (ABDT), which translates as Neighbourhood Assembly for Tourism Degrowth.
Meanwhile, in June, thousands of people took to the streets in the Balearic Islands to protest against mass tourism and overcrowding.