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European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism
EUROPEAN CAPITAL & GREEN PIONEER OF SMART TOURISM

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

Smart Tourism initiative

Under the umbrella of Smart Tourism, the European Commission has launched two competitions to promote smart and sustainable tourism in the EU, network and strengthen destinations, and facilitate the exchange of best practices.

The European Capital of Smart Tourism recognises outstanding achievements by European cities as tourism destinations in four categories: sustainability, accessibility, digitalisation as well as cultural heritage and creativity.

The European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism, successor of the European Destinations of Excellence (EDEN) competition, rewards smaller destinations that have implemented successful strategies to boost sustainable tourism through green transition practices.

Smart Tourism is an EU initiative implemented by the European Commission. 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.

Watch here the European Capital of Smart Tourism video

 Watch here the Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism video

European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism 2024 teaser

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

EU Smart Tourism Podcast

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