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European Capitals of Smart Tourism
EUROPEAN CAPITALS OF SMART TOURISM

An initiative to reward innovative and smart tourism practices in European cities

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

European Capital of Smart Tourism Podcast

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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.