Rough around the edges, a little chaotic but effortlessly cool, Berlin has never sought for the approval of others. But recently, there’s one thing that the German capital is struggling to shrug off – litter. And as visitor numbers rise, so does the grimy aftermath.
Enter BerlinPay, a new scheme that rewards tourists for doing good deeds: think picking up litter, supporting local social projects, or helping spiffy up neighbourhood spaces.
These small but important gestures go a long way, and in the long run, help create a better destination and community. Oh, and the the payoff? That comes in the form of vouchers and perks. Visitors will receive free or discounted entry to attractions, meals at participating restaurants and curated Berlin experiences in return – all for lending a helping hand.
It’s a clever concept that cities are tapping into, where tourists aren’t penalised but instead rewarded with positive reinforcement. Take Copenhagen’s CopenPay scheme that we reported on last summer, where visitors earned rewards by arriving to the city via train. Berlin is leaning into the same strategy, hoping that travellers that engage more thoughtfully with the city will also feel more connected to it (and get a free lunch in return).
According to euronews, BerlinPay is set to launch this summer in a campaign-style initiative, and the theme of the year is water tourism. The ‘sustainable behaviours’ will centre around the city’s waterways that are in need of a little TLC, and participants might find themselves collecting rubbish along the banks, or pitching in on small-scale community projects, all while seeing a deeper side to the city. The goal, according to BerlinPay’s website, is ‘to encourage conscious behaviour by and on the water’.
Berlin has been struggling with a rapid-growing rubbish problem. A whopping €13.1 million were invested to clean the city last year (up from €10.3 million higher than the year before), and while tourists aren’t the only culprits, this BerlinPay initiative invites them to be part of the solution.
While the free museum tours and lunches are always appealing incentives for good deeds, Berlin hopes these initiatives will also shift the tourist-local mindset.
📍 While we’re on the subject, here is ’s roundup of the very best things to do in Berlin.
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