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Travel talk
Puerto Rico welcomes record number of tourists The island experienced a recordbreaking 2023 , welcoming 6.1 million visitors , who contributed US $ 9.8 billion to its economy . What ’ s more , its marketing agency claims that figures for 2024 looks to be just as strong .
Considered one of the greenest cities on the planet , the Danish capital made good on that reputation this summer by launching an initiative that rewarded visitors for their climatefriendly actions .
The CopenPay campaign — brainchild of the city ’ s tourism agency , Wonderful Copenhagen — encourages travellers to engage in sustainable practices such as walking , cycling , participating in clean-up efforts , volunteering at an urban organic garden and using public transportation . The rewards included perks from 24 partners , such as free organic
Cycling in Copenhagen
REWARDING GREEN BEHAVIOUR
Copenhagen launches a pilot program with a positive outlook on sustainability meals , beverages at bars , kayak rentals , museum tours and even extra skiing time .
“ Making travelling sustainable is a core task for us ,” says Mikkel Aarø-Hansen , CEO at Wonderful Copenhagen . “ And we ’ ll only succeed if we bridge the large gap between the visitors ’ desire to act sustainably and their actual behaviour .” The tourism board was inspired by 2023 research from Kantar that showed only 22 % of the 82 % of tourists who say they want to act sustainably had changed their behaviour . The city hopes to bring the program back in the summer of 2025 .
Royal Caribbean to revamp Allure of the Seas A long-anticipated overhaul of the Oasis-Class cruise ship Allure of the Seas is scheduled for early 2025 . The project cost an estimated US $ 165 million and is part of Royal Caribbean ’ s US $ 1 billion ‘ Royal Amplified ’ initiative , launched in 2018 . Sustainability and guest experience are two areas for investments aimed at keeping the ship competitive .
Avalon Waterways to offer Bordeaux cruise itineraries Wine-lovers , rejoice . Cruise company Avalon Waterways ’ new one-to-three-week itineraries include sailings on the Garonne and Dordogne rivers , and can be combined with existing France itineraries . These excursions — such as an eight-day Châteaux , Wineries & Charming Village itinerary , featuring local wine tastings , pastry-baking and a medieval village tour — increase Avalon ’ s France offerings by 30 %. images : Jasper Carlberg ; getty
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