Unveiled: Secret Landmarks in Amsterdam and Copenhagen Revealed

Imagine visiting a stunning city only to find major landmarks hidden from view! Tourists in popular destinations like Amsterdam and Copenhagen are experiencing just that due to the impact of over-tourism. As cities worldwide grapple with the challenges brought on by excessive visitors, both Amsterdam in the Netherlands and Copenhagen in Denmark are taking proactive steps to manage the situation.

To address the issue of over-tourism, these cities are developing innovative plans to redirect tourists from overcrowded hotspots towards lesser-known gems. In a groundbreaking experiment conducted in 2021, Ondrej Mitas, a senior lecturer at Breda University of Applied Sciences, explored how digital tools could inspire travelers. He studied 155 visitors in the Dutch province of Overijssel, providing them with two different digital planning aids. One group received a traditional app showcasing popular tourist spots, while the other group utilized an AI concierge called Travel With Zoey, which suggested hidden tourist attractions.

After their trips, both groups expressed similar levels of satisfaction, demonstrating that exploring lesser-known sites can be just as fulfilling as visiting iconic landmarks. Inspired by this success, Mitas and the Travel with Zoey team are collaborating with the tourism boards of Amsterdam and Copenhagen to recreate this experiment and encourage a shift in tourist behavior.

The initiative aims to divert the crowds to overlooked attractions, effectively redefining what constitutes a “must-see” in these cities. AI-powered tools are at the forefront of this strategy, assisting in recommending unique locations that steer visitors away from congested areas. This not only lightens the load on famous sites but also enhances the overall visitor experience and provides local businesses with much-needed revenue.

In a further effort to combat the strains of over-tourism, both Amsterdam and Copenhagen are implementing rewarding systems for environmentally conscious travelers. For instance, in Copenhagen, tourists who engage in responsible behaviors like using public transport or participating in community volunteer activities can earn perks. This initiative began in July with a month-long pilot program that collaborated with 20 local attractions, encouraging visitors to take simple yet impactful climate-friendly actions.

The pilot ended on