The 2026 collection of best practices has been derived from applications that cities submitted to the European Capital of Smart Tourism competition. The report showcases the selection of best practices in each category (Accessibility, Sustainability, Digitalisation, Cultural heritage and creativity).
4.1 BEST PRACTICES IN ACCESSIBILITY
4.1.1 ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL
- 4.1.1.1 Inclusive City Management: Bruges; Livorno
- 4.1.1.2 Educational programmes for accessible tourism: Kütahya; Regensburg
- 4.1.1.3 Accessible infrastructure: Bergamo; Kraków
- 4.1.1.4 Accessible beaches: Muğla; Tampere
- 4.1.1.5 Wider access to cultural activities: Karlsruhe
- 4.1.1.6 Inclusivity to different social groups: Leipzig; Szczecin
4.1.2 ACCESSIBILITY FOR INFORMATION
- 4.1.2.1 Accessibility through digital innovation: Brussels; Genoa
- 4.1.2.2 Accessible city guides: Leipzig; Stuttgart
4.1.3 ACCESSIBILITY OF MOBILITY
4.2 BEST PRACTICES IN SUSTAINABILITY
4.2.1 COMBATTING OR ADAPTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- 4.2.1.1 Sustainable Action Plans: Kaunas; Leipzig; Pécs; Tampere
- 4.2.1.2. Alternative City Management Solutions: Katowice
4.2.2 PRESERVING OR ENHANCING THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
- 4.2.2.1 Nature conservation: Klaipėda; Matosinhos
- 4.2.2.2 Sustainable Urban Planning: Kütahya; Regensburg; Sibiu
4.2.3 SUSTAINABLE TOURISM MANAGEMENT
- 4.2.3.1 Tourism development: Kraków; Stuttgart
- 4.2.3.2 Sustainability tools and incentives for businesses: Brussels; Karlsruhe; Tampere
- 4.2.3.3 Actions mitigating tourism seasonality: Karlsruhe; Regensburg
- 4.2.3.4 Smart Management of Tourist Flows: Bruges; Brussels; Kaunas
- 4.2.3.5 Promotion of a Sustainable Food Sector: Bruges; Pécs
4.2.4 SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY
- 4.2.4.1 Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning: Braga; Bruges; Genoa; Karlsruhe
- 4.2.4.2 Sustainable outdoor tourism: Tampere
4.2.5 SUSTAINABLE INVOLVEMENT OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES
- 4.2.5.1 Collaboration with Local Stakeholders for Tourism Planning: Brussels; Leipzig
- 4.2.5.2 Involving Local Communities in Tourism Initiatives: Bergamo; Sibiu
- 4.2.5.3 Sustainability education for local communities: Braga
4.3 BEST PRACTICES IN DIGITALISATION
4.3.1 FACILITATING INFORMATION FOR SPECIFIC TARGET GROUPS
- 4.3.1.1 Digital Visitor Platforms: Bergamo; Braga; Karlsruhe
- 4.3.1.2 Use of Artificial Intelligence in Communication: Leipzig; Regensburg
- 4.3.1.3 Digital Applications Enhancing the Visitor Experience: Braga
- 4.3.1.4 Digitalised City Exploration: Kaunas; Stuttgart; Tampere
4.3.2 COLLECTING INFORMATION FOR SMART MANAGEMENT
- 4.3.2.1 Open Data for Tourism Management: Brussels; Kraków
- 4.3.2.2 Smart Tourism Management Solutions: Bruges; Coimbra; Kütahya; Tampere
- 4.3.2.3 Digital Solutions for Business: Bergamo; Brussels; Karlsruhe; Tampere
4.3.3 TRANSFORMATION INTO DIGITAL KNOWLEDGE SHARING
4.3.4 INNOVATIVE MOBILITY THROUGH DIGITALISATION
4.4 BEST PRACTICES IN CULTURAL HERITAGE & CREATIVITY
4.4.1 REVIVAL OF CULTURAL HERITAGE
- 4.4.1.1 Cultural events & Festivities: Leipzig; Pécs
- 4.4.1.2 Restoration of Cultural Heritage Sites: Bruges; Sibiu; Tirana
- 4.4.1.3 Transformation of Cultural Heritage Sites and Urban Spaces: Braga; Katowice: Livorno;
- 4.4.1.4 Preserving Traditions: Kütahya; Tampere; Ternopil
- 4.4.1.5 Creating alternative heritage tours: Bodrum; Coimbra; Kraków, Stuttgart
- 4.4.1.6 Preserving Culinary Heritage: Gaziantep; Kraków; Lublin; Muğla; Stuttgart
4.4.2 CULTURAL HERITAGE USAGE FOR NEW CREATIVITY
- 4.4.2.1 Use of new technologies: Balikesir; Bergamo; Karlsruhe; Katowice
- 4.4.2.2 Creating New Cultural Spaces: Bruges; Funchal; Matosinhos
4.4.3 MAINTAINING CULTURAL HERITAGE
4.4.4 ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSIVITY OF CULTURAL EXPERIENCES
Download the Compendium of Best Practices
Leading Examples of Smart Tourism practices in Europe from the 2026 European Capital of Smart Tourism competition This report has been prepared in 2026 for the European Commission, DirectorateGeneral for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE)
Leading Examples of Smart Tourism practices in Europe from the 2025 European Capital of Smart Tourism competition This report has been prepared in 2025 for the European Commission, DirectorateGeneral for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE)
Leading Examples of Smart Tourism practices in Europe from the 2024 European Capital of Smart Tourism competition.
This report has been prepared in 2024 for the European Commission, Directorate-General Internal market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW)
The 2023 collection of best practices has been derived from the applications the cities submitted to the competition. The report showcases the selection of best practices in each category (Accessibility, Sustainability, Digitalisation, Cultural Heritage and Creativity) and solely presents and relies on the data that the cities have submitted in their applications.
The selection of best practices compiled in this booklet has been derived from the applications that cities submitted to the 2023 competition and solely presents and relies on the information and data that the cities have submitted in their applications.
The 2022 collection of best practices has been derived from applications that cities submitted to the European Capital of Smart Tourism competition. The report showcases the selection of best practices in each category (Accessibility, Sustainability, Digitalisation, Cultural heritage and creativity). The purpose of this document is to enhance and facilitate the exchange of best practices in promoting innovative and smart measures and initiatives for tourism destinations in EU Member States. The report aims at raising awareness about smart tourism tools, measures and projects, sharing the best practices in tourism implemented by cities and strengthening peer-to-peer learning and innovative development of tourism in the EU in general.
