Other EU countries tighten restrictions while Copenhagen introduces incentives for travelers.

Residents in Barcelona have expressed their frustration with over-tourism through playful acts such as water pistol fights towards tourists. Meanwhile, in Copenhagen, a different approach is being taken by offering rewards to responsible and well-behaved visitors who engage in environmentally conscious activities like cycling or participating in city services like gardening.

The Danish capital seems to be challenging the trend of popular travel destinations grappling with an excessive influx of tourists, by targeting only those who prioritize social and environmental responsibility when visiting. A program has been launched by the national tourist board to promote sustainable behavior among visitors, including incentives for utilizing public transportation or engaging in local services at parks and harbors.

Visitors with their own reusable cups can receive complimentary beverages, while other benefits include free drinks on rooftop bars or extended time spent on the city's artificial ski slope complexes. Organizers of CopenPay suggest that making conscientious decisions not only benefit the environment but also visitors themselves as they are rewarded for their choices.

Mikkel Aarø-Hansen, from Wonderful Copenhagen tourist board, hopes this initiative will inspire other cities to create a positive relationship between tourists and locals while promoting sustainable travel. The program also seeks to foster more meaningful interactions between visitors and residents in the context of an emerging experience economy.

The aim is for travelers to make informed, eco-friendly choices that contribute positively to their experiences while respecting local environments. Overcoming the disparity between a visitor's intentions and actual behavior remains a challenge, according to Aarø-Hansen. In contrast to Copenhagen's welcoming approach, other cities such as Barcelona have witnessed overwheating tourism that has sparked discontent among residents leading them to take measures like water pistol fights against visitors.

CopenPay, a trial project until August 11th, could potentially expand if successful, including incentivizing train travel instead of airplanes for those visiting Copenhagen.