Smart Tourism initiative
The European Capital of Smart Tourism initiative recognises outstanding achievements by European cities as tourism destinations in four categories: sustainability, accessibility, digitalisation as well as cultural heritage and creativity. This EU initiative aims to promote smart tourism in the EU, network and strengthen destinations, and facilitate the exchange of best practices.
The European Commission is implementing the European Capital of Smart Tourism initiative. Currently it is financed under the COSME Programme and it is a successor of the Preparatory Action proposed by the European Parliament. The initiative aims to:
Promote
Promote the rich tourism offer of European countries and increase citizens’ sentiment of sharing local tourism-related values.
Strengthen
Strengthen tourism-generated and innovative tourism development in the cities, their surroundings and their neighbour regions.
Increase
Increase the attractiveness of European cities that are awarded the title and strengthen economic growth and job creation.
Establish
Establish framework for the exchange of best practices between the cities and create opportunities for cooperation and new partnerships.
Inform
Inform the travellers of the sustainable and outstanding tourism practices in destinations they are visiting.
Encourage
Encourage sustainable socio-economic development in tourism destinations across Europe.
Spotlight on the 2023 European Capitals of Smart Tourism
Pafos (Cyprus) and Seville (Spain)are the 2023 European Capitals of Smart Tourism.
Promoting innovation in European smart destinations
The 2023 European Capital of Smart Tourism is the fourth edition of the competition. This initiative rewards European cities for outstanding, innovative and sustainable tourism practices.
Our aim is to promote innovation to strengthen smart destinations in Europe, to enhance tourism offers for visitors and to facilitate new partnerships, networking and the exchange of best practice. We also aim to foster the EU’s forward-thinking tourism offer to global audiences and sustainably increase footfall at pioneering destinations that offer unique visitor experiences.
The initiative is managed by the European Commission Directorate General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs. It is supported by the COSME programme and results from a preparatory action proposed by the European Parliament.
This initiative complements other EU actions and policy initiatives in the tourism field.
European Capital of Smart Tourism Podcast
We take our first steps into the world of smart tourism practices in Europe, the innovations behind the future of tourism and the driving competition that cities across
Spotlight on the 2022 European Capitals of Smart Tourism
Bordeaux (France) and Valencia (Spain)are the 2022 European Capitals of Smart Tourism.
Gothenburg and Málaga were the 2020 European Capitals of Smart Tourism while Helsinki and Lyon won the inaugural competition and jointly held the titles of 2019 European Capitals of Smart Tourism.