Sustaining it all
Málaga has been incorporating the concepts of sustainability, innovation and culture into their strategic plans for many years. There is a constant exchange between visitors and the government’s tourism services, so that Málaga can do more to meet the needs of visitors.
Málaga works in all spheres
In terms of sustainability, Málaga works in all spheres – it has installed public LED lighting, offers over 20 bike hire stations and created bike lanes that now add up to over 40km. The city has installed smart watering systems for parks and gardens in order to save water and has introduced an Air Quality Sectoral Plan to reduce air pollution, monitor pollen levels and improve noise quality. Málaga has also upgraded street cleaning equipment and has worked on better waste separation in the city centre.
Nature
In terms of nature, Málaga has much to offer. The city has almost 50 hectares of protected natural areas, 60 hectares of botanical gardens, more than 400 hectares of green space and 5 beaches. Málaga revitalised many of their natural spaces, such as its wetlands, creating ideal spots for bird watching and nature walks.
From sunny beaches to a city of culture
Málaga is quite literally a city of museums. Within just two decades, the city has gone from having 4 museums to having 37 – the city’s exhibition space thereby went from 400m2 to 35.000m2. Many old buildings and their surroundings were transformed into vibrant, cultural spaces, like Málaga’s old tobacco factory and its Tabacalera neighbourhood, or the city’s art district, Soho. Málaga has successfully transformed itself from a city known for its sunny beaches to a city of art and culture.
For more details, visit: www.malagaturismo.com/es/site/smarttourism
300 seconds with Marc Sanderson | European Capital of Smart Tourism Spokesman | City of Málaga, Spain
SMART city: Málaga, Spain
Digitalisation forms an essential part of the tourism experience in this European Capital of Smart Tourism. With innovation and smart digital solutions like a beach application, Artificial Intelligence, the Digital Content Hub and much more, Málaga succeeds in making digitalisation easy to understand and most of all to use while visiting the city.
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Málaga, the 2020 European Capital of Smart Tourism reactivates tourism
The City Council of Málaga, the 2020 European Capital of Smart Tourism, has launched the ‘Málaga Ciudad Segura’ programme, to reactivate tourism in a safe and responsible manner, making weekly antigen tests available to the sector. The companies that participate in this campaign are given a badge to be displayed on a prominent and visible place in the establishment. This means that the employees of the affiliated establishment participate in the rapid antigen test programme. To ensure proper participation in the programme, badges will be renewed monthly. Read more: www.malagaciudadsegura.com
`Málaga Workbay`aims to attract remote workers and businesses and to support tourism and hospitality ecosystem
Málaga, the 2020 European Capital of Smart Tourism, has launched the new initiative ‘Málaga WorkBay’ to incentivise remote working in the city, attract new businesses and employees but also to support its tourism and hospitality ecosystem. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a rapid transformation of the workplace and Málaga is fast developing as a city to work remotely from. The website ‘Málaga WorkBay’ offers strategic advice and counselling in different languages to everyone who would like to work in or from Málaga. Find out more here or visit the Youtube channel here.
Málaga airs TV show on Cultural Heritage and Creativity
Canal Málaga, the biggest local TV station in Málaga, recently aired a show dedicated to the city’s cultural heritage and creativity. The city’s innovative approach to celebrating its cultural heritage and creativity was a key factor, contributing towards Málaga being named 2020 European Capital of Smart Tourism. The programme features city representatives and historians discussing Málaga’s cultural heritage and creativity as well as the city’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. You can watch it here.
Málaga introduces COVID-19 antigen testing in ICCA Congress
On 1-3 November 2020, Málaga, the 2020 European Capital of Smart Tourism, co-hosted the 59thInternational Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) World Congress, which was held in parallel in five cities around the world. The event was organised in line with all safety and hygiene measures and protocols, while rapid COVID-19 antigen testing was introduced for the attendees of the congress, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. Watch the video here.
Málaga produces TV show on the European Capital of Smart Tourism & Sustainability
Canal Málaga, the most important local TV station in Málaga, the 2020 European Capital of Smart Tourism produced a TV show dedicated to the EU initiative and in specific how tourism destinations can grow in a sustainable way. The TV show highlighted several initiatives undertaken by the city of Málaga, while it also included an interview with Peter Gröneberg, CEO of Göteborg & Co, representing Gothenburg, the 2020 European Capital of Smart Tourism. Watch the TV show here.
Málaga, Gothenburg and Lyon discuss the future of Smart Tourism destinations
Málaga, the 2020 European Capital of Smart Tourism, hosted the GreenCities event, a Forum on Urban Intelligence and Sustainability on 1 October 2020. Rosa Sánchez, Deputy Mayor Delegate for Tourism of the City Council of Málaga, Katarina Torstensson, Sustainability Strategist representing Gothenburg, the 2020 European Capital of Smart Tourism, and Victoire Goust, Deputy Mayor of Lyon, the 2019 European Capital of Smart Tourism, participated in a roundtable discussion on “Smart Tourist Destinations: how to address it after COVID19”. The discussion focused on the recovery of tourism after the global health crisis and the measures that will help cities become sustainable, smart and safe tourist destinations. More information about the GreenCities can be found here.
Innovative app for travellers launched in Málaga
A new application designed to facilitate safe and seamless travel in the wake of COVID-19 will be launched in Málaga, the 2020 European Capital of Smart Tourism. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has partnered with the company ‘Wanderlust World’ for this app that allows travellers to carry their passport, identification and health documents, tourist services and means of payment on their mobile phone and avoid physical documentation. The application, called World Tourist Identification (WTID), will be gradually introduced in other destinations as well.
The app was recently presented at an event attended by Zurab Pololikashvili, UNWTO Secretary General, and Francisco de la Torre, Mayor of Málaga, among others. The main objective of the innovative tool is to contribute to making travelling safer, more transparent and accessible. More information about the app can be found here.
Infographic: Málaga, 2020 European Capital of Smart Tourism
What makes Málaga a smart tourism destination? Find out some interesting facts and figures about the 2020 European Capital of Smart Tourism.
App monitoring beach capacity launched in Málaga and Costa del Sol
The University of Málaga and Costa del Sol Tourism launched a new app which allows visitors to monitor how crowded beaches are, from Marbella all the way to Málaga, the 2020 European Capital of Smart Tourism, from their smartphones. The application offers also real-time information such as what temperature the water is, whether there is any seaweed or jellyfish in the water, what the height and direction of the waves will be and the speed of the wind. The application is available for Apple (iOS) and Android (Play Store) and can also be accessed on the following website: www.aforocostadelsol.es
Inaguration of Málaga´s hasta sculpture
On 23 June, Málaga welcomed its Hashtag sculpture, awarded to celebrate the city’s success as the 2020 European Capital of Smart Tourism. The inauguration event was attended by the Mayor of Málaga, Francisco de la Torre, accompanied by the Councillors for Tourism, Rosa Sanchez, and Mobility, Jose del Rio, along with the President of the Port Authority of Málaga, Carlos Rubio, the President of the Provincial Council of Málaga, Francisco Salado, the territorial delegate of Development, Infrastructure, Spatial Planning, Culture and Historical Heritage in Málaga, Carmen Casero, among others. The sculpture is situated at the city’s port, in front of the main square.
Málaga celebrated its designation as the 2020 European Capital of Smart Tourism
Málaga celebrated its designation as the 2020 European Capital of Smart Tourism on 28 January 2020 with a grand gala full of performances. During the festivities, Málaga’s Mayor Francisco de la Torre appealed to all citizens to join the European Capital of Smart Tourism activities throughout the year and help build lasting momentum for the benefit of citizens and tourists alike.
The event took place at the Trade Fair and Congress Centre, in the presence of Málaga’s well-known artists, city representatives and members of the tourism sector, with the aim of showcasing Málaga’s achievements as a creative, sustainable, accessible and digital destination, which contributed to its designation as the 2020 European Capital of Smart Tourism.
See more photos from the gala here and watch the recorded event here
Málaga present at Fitur Madrid 2020
The 2020 European Capitals of Smart Tourism, Málaga and Gothenburg, together with the 2020 European Smart Tourism Awards winners Breda, Ljubljana, Karlsruhe, as well as Gothenburg itself, were present in this year’s FITUR travel trade fair in Madrid. Representatives of the cities participated in the FITUR Know-How event “Developing Smart Tourism Destinations” on 23 January 2020. It was an interesting discussion, in which the cities explained how they each address the current challenges in the tourism sector and how they became smart tourism destinations. The public had the opportunity to learn about the European Capital of Smart Tourism initiative also at the stand – getting an insight into how the EU is supporting cities in promoting their good practices and working together on smart tourism.
See more photos from FITUR Madrid 2020 here and watch the recorded event “Developing Smart Tourism Destinations” here
Presentation event in Málaga
The 2020 European Capital of Smart Tourism Málaga will host its own presentation event to celebrate its win and showcase its best practices in smart tourism. The event will take place on 28 January from 18.30 until 20.00 at the Trade Fair and Congress Centre of Málaga. The Spanish city has transformed itself from a city known for sunny beaches to a city of arts and culture, with more than 30 museums and vibrant cultural spaces. Moreover, sustainability and the use of new technologies are two very important aspects of the fast growing tourism in Málaga.
Málaga kicks-off the year as 2020 European capital of Smart Tourism
A kick-off meeting, with the participation of Málaga’s representatives, European Commission tourism policy officers and the European Capital of Smart Tourism Secretariat, took place in Málaga, one of the 2020 European Capitals of Smart Tourism.
The meeting was held at the Málaga City Hall, in the presence of the Mayor Francisco de la Torre; Rosa Sánchez Jiménez, Deputy Mayor, Tourism, City Promotion and Local & Foreign Investments; Ricardo Fernández de la Cruz, Head of Service, Tourism and City Promotion and Marc Sanderson, Director of International Economic Development among others.
