København considers halting 13 planned hotels in city center

Up to 13 future hotels in Copenhagen risk being scrapped by the city’s municipality. The plans, located in the inner city, are set to be voted on by the Climate, Technology, and Environment Committee.

Tourists flock to Copenhagen, contributing to 11.8 million overnight stays in 2025 alone, according to municipal data. However, several politicians in Copenhagen Municipality now aim to curb further hotel developments to preserve residential spaces and daily conveniences for locals.

The 13 hotel projects, planned for areas such as Kultorvet, Rådhuspladsen, and Halmtorvet, face potential rejection. Morten Melchiors, group leader for the Conservatives in Copenhagen Municipality, emphasizes the need for residential spaces and local amenities, stating, “We want real people to live in the inner city. Copenhagen should not be a stage set.”

The local council’s chair, Bent Lohmann, echoes these concerns, noting the strain on local infrastructure and rising housing costs due to increased tourism. Meanwhile, the hotel industry criticizes the potential halt, with Jeppe Møller-Herskind, CEO of Horesta, arguing that tourism drives growth and enhances Copenhagen’s appeal.

The committee’s decision will determine the fate of these projects, balancing the needs of tourists and residents in the city’s core.

Source: DR