Conference & Meetings World Issue 103 | Page 35

Copenhagen The death of tourism? IN THE DANISH CAPITAL OF COPENHAGEN, ‘HEDONISTIC SUSTAINABILITY’ IS ATTEMPTING TO STEM THE RISING TIDE OF OVERTOURISM AND CARBON EMISSIONS. STUART WOOD REPORTS ’m standing on the roof of a green garbage burning facility in North Copenhagen. Copenhill, which has been open for only a week when I arrive, is the city’s newest tourist attraction. It features skyline views over the Danish capital, as well as the many wind farms off its blustery eastern shore. The emissions coming out of its gleaming main tower (pictured right) are cleaner than the air we are breathing below, while the facility is providing heating and electricity to homes around Copenhagen. But it isn’t the garbage which is drawing in visitors - it’s the enormous artificial ski slope which runs down the entire back side of the building. ‘Hedonistic sustainability’, the venue’s sales director tells us, was the guiding principle of world-renowned Danish architect Bjarke Ingels, whose studio masterminded Copenhill. The goal was to make sustainable technology fun, and accessible for everyone. It is a daring new approach that is focused on educating with a carrot, not a stick. It is also nothing short of absolutely genius. The facility has already attracted some high-profile guests. An hour before we arrived, we’re told that Game of Thrones’ Jamie Lannister (aka Danish actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), was here. The space was used for a live gig on its opening weekend, and Copenhill has formed a partnership with the nearby Scandic Falkoner hotel, to send groups of conference delegates launching down its green slopes. trillion. But, in an age facing a climate crisis and traffic jams on Mount Everest, this growth must be managed responsibly.” Becker analysed some case studies in overtourism, with a particular focus on Barcelona. The Spanish capital has a local population of 1.6m, but attracts a staggering 30m tourists every year. Ada Colau, who was elected Mayor in 2015, has been on a controversial mission to tackle this problem. She has cut the number of cheap flights to the city, and faced a legal challenge from Airbnb after shutting down many unregulated properties on the site. These measures are an attempt to stop ‘drive-by tourism’ - in which travellers hit a Above: The war on overtourism They were just in time, too. The main tower at Copenhill Make it Dane Copenhagen is welcoming the World Water Congress and Exhibition to the Bella Center in 2020. The event, organised by the International Water Association and Danish Water and Wastewater Association (DANVA), will take place from 18-23 October next year. The event’s theme will be ‘Water for smart, liveable cities’. It will bring together city planners, scientists and decision makers to discuss the latest innovations in water management. Miriam Feilberg, Senior Advisor at DANVA, said: “Rising awareness about climate change has led to more young people getting involved in the water management industry. In the future, cities will have to adapt to the changing climate, and increasing levels of rainfall.” Copenhagen served as the host city of two major environmental congresses in October - the C40 Mayor’s Summit, and Tomorrow’s Urban Travel (TUT). CMW was in attendance at the latter event, which attracted a selection of experts to discuss the current state of tourism worldwide, and the challenges it faces in the future. “Tourism is no longer a hobby - it is an economic force,” says New York Times journalist Elizabeth Becker, who delivered the first keynote of the event. “Today, the tourism industry is the world’s largest employer. Last year, studies found that one in five jobs worldwide were in tourism, and that the industry was collectively worth USD$8 ISSUE 103 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / 35