Leading examples of Smart and Sustainable Tourism Practices in Europe

This collection of best practices has been derived from the applications that destinations submitted to the 2025 European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism competition. The report showcases the selection of best practices in sustainable tourism and solely presents and relies on the data that the cities submitted in their applications.

PRESENTING BEST PRACTICES

3.1 NATURE PRESERVATION

• 3.1.1 Sea Walls and Drainage Systems; Benidorm (Spain):
• 3.1.2 Environmental Protection; Tourist Destination Rogla – Pohorje (Slovenia):

3.2 SUSTAINABLE ENERGY AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

• 3.2.1 Sustainable Energy Action Plan; Nea Propontida (Greece):
• 3.2.2 Municipal Eco-centre; Aveiro (Portugal):
• 3.2.3 Smart Water Management System; Benidorm (Spain):
• 3.2.4 Harnessing Geothermal Energy; Alaşehir (Türkiye):

3.3 COMBATING AND ADAPTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE

• 3.3.1 Environmental Stations; Aveiro (Portugal):
• 3.3.2 Regulating Cruise Ship Arrivals; Dubrovnik (Croatia):

3.4 SUSTAINABLE TOURISM MANAGEMENT

• 3.4.1 Deseasonalisation of Winter Destinations; Tourist Destination Rogla – Pohorje (Slovenia):
• 3.4.2 Diversification of the Tourism Offer; Benidorm (Spain):
• 3.4.3 Smarter Visitor Management; Dubrovnik (Croatia):

3.5 OFFERING GREEN TOURISM ACTIVITIES

• 3.5.1 Nature Tourism; Aveiro (Portugal):
• 3.5.2 Sustainable Outdoor Activities; Panevėžys (Lithuania):
• 3.5.3 Green Tourism; Amarante (Portugal):

3.6 ENGAGING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

• 3.6.1 Education and Involvement in Sustainable Initiatives; Nea Propontida (Greece):
• 3.6.2 Community Involvement in Tourism; Tourist Destination Rogla – Pohorje (Slovenia):
• 3.6.3 Linking Tourists with Local Traditions; Benidorm (Spain):
• 3.6.4 Engaging the Youth; Jurmala (Latvia):
• 3.6.5 Business Development Competitions; Jurmala (Latvia):
• 3.6.6 Community Garden Initiative; Panevėžys (Lithuania):

3.7 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

• 3.7.1 Interpretative Centre of Biodiversity, Geodiversity and Mining; Valongo (Portugal):
• 3.7.2 Hydroponic Greenhouse; Panevėžys (Lithuania):

3.8 SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT

• 3.8.1 Transforming Urban and Natural Sites; Jelgava (Latvia):
• 3.8.2 Improvement of Cultural and Historical Infrastructure; Sliven (Bulgaria):
• 3.8.3 Green Regeneration of Industrial Areas; Liepāja (Latvia):

3.9 ACCESSIBILITY

• 3.9.1 Tourism for all; Nea Propontida (Greece):
• 3.9.2 Accessible Beach Complex; Liepāja (Latvia):
• 3.9.3 ‘Hear, Smell, Feel Liepāja’ Route; Liepāja (Latvia):

3.10 SUSTAINABLE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SOLUTIONS

• 3.10.1 Promoting Sustainable Transport; Jurmala (Latvia):
• 3.10.2 Enhancing green mobility; Aveiro (Portugal):
• 3.10.3 Sustainable Urban Mobility and Green Spaces; Sliven (Bulgaria):
• 3.10.4 Relieving Traffic Pressure; Dubrovnik (Croatia):

3.11 PROMOTION OF CYCLING AND WALKING

• 3.11.1 Cycling Paths; Valongo (Portugal):
• 3.11.2 Cycling and Camper Infrastructure; Pordenone (Italy):
• 3.11.3 Promotion of pedestrian routes; Aveiro (Portugal):
• 3.11.4 Promoting and Enhancing Cycling Tourism; Panevėžys (Lithuania):

3.12 DIGITALISATION

• 3.12.1 Beach Management App; Benidorm (Spain):
• 3.12.2 Use of Technology to Mitigate Traffic; Liepāja (Latvia):
• 3.12.3 Use of Virtual Reality and Digital Tools; Sliven (Bulgaria):

3.13 SUSTAINABLE PROMOTION OF LOCAL CULTURAL HERITAGE

• 3.13.1 Numerous Cultural Events; Pordenone (Italy):
• 3.13.2 Cultural Offer for Tourists; Amarante (Portugal):
• 3.13.3 Promotion of Local Events; Valongo (Portugal):

3.14 CULTURAL HERITAGE PRESERVATION

• 3.14.1 Preserving cultural heritage; Alaşehir (Türkiye):

 

Download the best practices