Tourists visiting Berlin are being rewarded for environmental activities such as tree-watering and litter picking through the new BerlinPay initiative.
The pilot project, which follows Copenhagen's CopenPay scheme introduced in 2024, launched on 14 May and runs through 14 June.
Berlin's initiative is focused on the city's waterways, with 40 Berlin-based businesses and organisations participating.
Hosek ContemporaryvisitBerlin / Eugen Lebedew (MillionMotion)
Franziska Giffey, Berlin’s senator for economic affairs, energy and public enterprises, said: "Berlin is Germany’s capital on the water: 7 per cent of our city is covered by water, amounting to almost 60 square kilometres.
"Water tourism in Berlin is booming and represents a significant economic factor, but it also leaves an impact."
With BerlinPay, the city is "showing how we can respond to this growing interest in an innovative and sustainable way", she said.
Sustainable tourism in Berlin
Tourists who get involved by helping with planting, watering trees, waterfront cleaning, arriving by bicycle, or collecting litter will be rewarded with tickets to museums, free drinks and leisure activities on the water.
For example, the Hosek Contemporary art gallery is inviting visitors arriving by climate-friendly transport to free concerts, while the Humboldt Forum is giving out guided tours and free merchandise to guests viewing its On Water exhibition.
"The principle is simple: those who do something good for Berlin – by travelling climate-friendly, acting sustainably or helping to keep our city clean – will experience Berlin at its very best in return," Giffey added.
visitBerlin / Oliver Lang
"Through this pilot project, we want to demonstrate how sustainable tourism in and for Berlin can work in practice.”
Sabine Wendt, CEO of visitBerlin, said: "BerlinPay demonstrates in an innovative way that businesses and organisations are willing to take responsibility for our city.
"Through this initiative, we invite Berliners and their guests to experience Berlin in a more mindful way – particularly by and on the water."
Images courtesy of visitBerlin
