While many other destinations in Europe are still licking their wounds over a disappointing summer season, Denmark posted a 5.8% increase in overnights from the U.S. in August compared with August 2008, according to official tourism agency VisitDenmark.
This boost came on the heels of an 8.1% increase in July, bringing the January-to-August numbers up about 1.2% over 2008.
"It was a huge surprise," said Susanne Nordenbaek, North American director for VisitDenmark, noting that the uptick began in Q2 2009. That said, the summer season, generally defined as May to September, is key for the destination (the numbers for September are not in yet).
"We have the feeling we'll end up on a positive note, but it's a cautious optimism," she said.
Helping to drive those numbers was a robust Baltic cruise business, spurred by discounted fares and last-minute bookings, Nordenbaek said. Copenhagen is one of Europe's biggest turnaround ports as well as a key departure city, which brings even more visitors to the destination for pre- and postcruise stays.
Going green
Another draw is Denmark's reputation as an ecofriendly destination. According to a recent report by the travel research firm PhoCusWright, 44% of U.S. travelers weigh carbon emissions and other environmental factors when making travel plans, and nearly a third will pay a little more for green travel.
Denmark has been ahead of the curve on the use of alternative energy for decades, but lately VisitDenmark has looked for ways to market that attitude. There are specific classifications for hotels that are environmentally conscious, for example, and individual properties are aggressive about promoting their green practices, Nordenbaek said.
The Radisson Blu Royal is the first five-star hotel in Denmark to achieve the Swan certification, awarded for ecofriendly practices, and the Radisson Blu Scandinavia is the country's largest Swan hotel member.
There are 21 Swan-labeled hotels in Denmark in all as well as nine properties in Copenhagen that hold the Green Key Certification, a worldwide label given to leisure organizations that fulfill a rigorous roster of sustainability requirements.
One way visitors can get in on the act is to do their sightseeing by bicycle. Many hotels, such as the Hotel D'Angleterre and the Copenhagen Admiral Hotel, have a fleet of loaner bicycles on hand, or visitors can use the 2,000 free City Bikes located on 110 bike racks throughout Copenhagen to get around.
The way the bike system works is that users put in a 20-kroner coin (roughly $4 U.S.) to release the bike, and the coin is returned when the bike is returned to any City Bike rack. They can also fill their tires with air at the free pump at Copenhagen's city hall.
In 2008, the International Cycling Union named Copenhagen its first-ever Bike City, and other Danish cities, such as Arhus, Odense and Aalborg, all have well-marked bike lanes.
Visitors to Copenhagen who prefer cycling with a guide can join a three-hour tour via City Safari, priced at about $50 per person. Tours, which run from April to October, include Historic Copenhagen and Copenhagen by Night.
Serious cyclists can take advantage of a network of 11 bike routes totaling almost 2,500 miles, including a 391-mile trip between Copenhagen and Berlin.
To further emphasize Copenhagen's commitment to the environment, there will be numerous cultural events and green packages on tap for the public during the Cop15 climate change summit in Copenhagen, set for Dec. 7 to 18.
Happy Danes are here again
Another key factor in Denmark's popularity is its unofficial designation as the happiest place on Earth.
"What we know from our research is that our major selling point is the Danes themselves," Nordenbaek said, adding that just about everybody speaks English, making the destination a comfortable fit even for first-time U.S. visitors to Europe.
Those who want an in-depth interaction with locals can take advantage of the Dine With the Danes program that organizes meals with locals looking to host tourists for private, home-cooked meals.
The program is priced at about $80 for adults, $40 for kids age 8 to 15; younger children are free.
As to cuisine, Nordenbaek touted the evolution of the Danish restaurant scene, with 13 Michelin-star eateries in Copenhagen alone, up from one or two a few years ago.
The focus is on cooking with local produce and tweaking traditional Nordic recipes to please modern palates, she said.
As for the best time to visit Denmark, Nordenbaek stressed that the destination is no longer for summer visitors only.
In the last decade, Copenhagen has gone all out to offer a variety of festivals year-round that, in combination with low off-season prices, make the city an attractive option in fall and winter.
Festivities include Halloween celebrations at Tivoli Gardens and Christmas markets and holiday decorations at top Copenhagen shops.
See www.visitdenmark.com and www.visitcopenhagen.com.