Berlin is planning its own reward system for sustainable travelers!

Berlin is planning its own reward system for sustainable travelers!

Copenhagen has created a new model of eco-friendly travel with its innovative “CopenPay” project. As part of this initiative, travelers who travel sustainably will be rewarded with a variety of incentives. These include, but are not limited to, free lunches, boat tours, excursions and museum discounts. The project, which runs between June 17 and August 17, 2025, includes over 90 attractions, including the National Museum and the Danish National Gallery, as well as numerous services such as Donkey Republic bike rentals and GoBoat boat trips. The aim is to raise awareness of sustainable travel and influence travelers in the way they think Utopia performs.

The “CopenPay” pilot project, which was already successful beyond expectations in 2024, saw a 29% increase in bike rentals and collected tons of trash. An encouraging 98% of participants were willing to recommend the initiative. This shows how important such incentives are in encouraging environmentally friendly choices. Travelers who stay longer than four nights or arrive by train benefit from additional rewards such as yoga sessions, guided tours and discounted admission to cultural events. There are also special discounts for e-car drivers.

Sustainable tourism in Berlin

Berlin, which is regularly ranked among the five most sustainable tourist destinations in the world, wants to model Copenhagen's approach. According to a spokesman for the Senate Department for Economic Affairs, the capital is planning to introduce its own reward system for sustainable behavior in tourism. Incentives such as free guided tours, discounts or free entry to attractions should be offered, which would further expand the range of environmentally friendly alternatives. Another incentive is the opportunity for guests to take part in activities such as kayak tours or collecting trash in parks, which are supported by the tourism promotion “visitBerlin”.

Currently, around 50% of Berlin's 12.3 million visitors come by train, and this number is expected to continue to rise. Nevertheless, Berlin tourism recorded a 4% decline in overnight stays in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the previous year, while the number of foreign guests increased slightly by 0.1%. This development makes the initiative all the more necessary in order to create sustainably interesting offers that not only boost tourism, but also promote environmentally conscious travel behavior.

This exchange of ideas between Copenhagen and Berlin makes it clear that the metropolises are determined to make their tourism offerings sustainable and to actively reward their visitors' environmentally conscious decisions. The aim is to increase awareness of the need for environmentally friendly travel, with both Berlin and Copenhagen striving to play a pioneering role in the international tourism industry.