Leading examples of Smart Tourism Practices in Europe
The 2022 collection of best practices has been derived from applications that cities submitted to the European Capital of Smart Tourism competition. The report showcases the selection of best practices in each category (Accessibility, Sustainability, Digitalisation, Cultural heritage and creativity).
Purpose
Apart from showcasing exemplary practices by cities as tourism destinations in: Accessibility, Sustainability, Digitalisation, Cultural Heritage and Creativity, the European Capital of Smart Tourism initiative aims to establish a framework for the exchange of best practices between cities and creates opportunities for cooperation and new partnerships. The compendium aims at raising awareness about smart tourism tools, initiatives and projects, sharing the best practices in tourism implemented by cities and strengthening peer-to-peer learning and innovative development of tourism in the EU.
The four award categories of the competition making tourism smart
For the purpose of the European Capital of Smart Tourism competition, the cities were invited to describe and share their innovative projects, ideas and initiatives implemented under each of the four award categories (Accessibility, Digitalisation, Sustainability, Cultural Heritage & Creativity) which helped them to improve their profile as a tourism destination.
BEST PRACTICES IN ACCESSIBILITY
4.1.1 Accessibility for all
- 4.1.1.1 Low-income accessibility; Bordeaux; Karlsruhe
- 4.1.1.2 Accessible city routes; Bordeaux; Athens; Venice; Padua
- 4.1.1.3 Accessible infrastructure; Bordeaux; Dublin; Genoa; Ljubljana; Szczecin; Venice
- 4.1.1.4 Accessible beaches; Gdynia; Palma; Ravenna; San Sebastian; València
- 4.1.1.5 Diversity & Accessibility; Aarhus
4.1.2 Accessibility of information
- 4.1.2.1 Accessible city guides; Athens; Ljubljana; Florence; Ravenna; València
- 4.1.2.2 Accessible tours; Florence
- 4.1.2.3 Accessible citizens engagement; Athens; Aarhus
- 4.1.2.4 Accessible tourist information offices; Braga; València
- 4.1.2.5 Accessibility through digitalisation; Porto; Florence; Gaziantep
BEST PRACTICES IN SUSTAINABILITY
4.2.1 Combatting or adapting to climate change
- 4.2.1.1 Urban biking; Rotterdam; Karlsruhe; Dubrovnik
- 4.2.1.2 Sustainable transportation; Izmir; Helsinborg
- 4.2.1.3 Alternative means of transportation; Genoa; Karlsruhe; Marbella; Maribor
- 4.2.1.4 Sustainable engagement; Athens; Bordeaux; Copenhagen; Helsingborg; Izmir
- 4.2.1.5 Sustainable events; Bordeaux; Aarhus; Copenhagen; Genoa; Maribor
- 4.2.1.6 Sustainable urban planning; Dubrovnik; Gdynia; Florence; Helsingborg; Rotterdam; València
- 4.2.1.7 Sustainable water cycle; Karlsruhe
- 4.2.1.8 Tourism taxation; Palma
4.2.2 Preserving and enhancing the natural environment
- 4.2.2.1 Natural preservation; Dublin; Maribor; Athens; Palma; València; Venice
- 4.2.2.2 Sustainable education; Dublin; Alba Iulia; Copenhagen; Matosinhos; San Sebastian
- 4.2.2.3 Sustainable shopping; Maribor; Szczecin; Genoa
4.2.3 Spreading the flow of tourists
- 4.2.3.1 Spreading the flow through technology; Florence
- 4.2.3.2 Spreading the flow through urban planning; Porto
- 4.2.3.3 Spreading the flow with transportation; Bordeaux; Copenhagen; Dubrovnik
BEST PRACTICES IN DIGITALISATION
4.3.1 Facilitating information for specific target groups
- 4.3.1.1 Introducing Alipay to attract chinse tourists; Ljubljana
- 4.3.1.2 Expanding the visitors' market with the Toorbee app; Athens
4.3.2 Collecting information for smarter management
- 4.3.2.1 Smart control rooms; Florence; Venice
- 4.3.2.2 Park smarter; Athens; Dubrovnik
- 4.3.2.3 EData collection and sharing for a better tourism experience; Aarhus; Dubrovnik; Rotterdam; València; Florence
4.3.3 Physical and psychological accessibility through innovation
- 4.3.3.1 Accessing museums digitally; Braga; Izmir; Padua
- 4.3.3.2 Apps to experience history or sights; Athens; Alba Iulia; Bordeaux; Ljubljana; Copenhagen
- 4.3.3.3 Promoting local tourism; Porto; Bordeaux
- 4.3.3.4 A digital Bauhaus; Karlsruhe
- 4.3.3.5 AR and VR experiences; València; Copenhagen; Dublin
- 4.3.3.6 Attracting digital nomads; Dubrovnik
- 4.3.3.7 Artificial intelligence initiatives; Gdynia; Karlsruhe
- 4.3.3.8 Providing real time info; Helsingborg; Palma; Matosinhos; Porto
- 4.3.3.9 Use that bitcoin; Ljubljana
- 4.3.3.10 Light installations bring literature to life; Ravenna
- 4.3.3.11 Digital Twin City; Rotterdam
BEST PRACTICES IN CULTURAL HERITAGE AND CREATIVITY
4.4.1 Reviving traditions and cultural heritage sustainably
- 4.4.1.1 City walks with a creative touch; Bordeaux
- 4.4.1.2 A glimpse into a genius' mind; Copenhagen
- 4.4.1.3 Recovery of cultural heritage; Alba Iulia
- 4.4.1.4 A cultural platform for all: Copenhagen
- 4.4.1.5 Innovative and creative offer exploiting synergies; Dubrovnik
- 4.4.1.6 A riverside fortress; Gaziantep
- 4.4.1.7 Museums as digital pioneers; Karlsruhe
- 4.4.1.8 Lazareti – Creative hub of Dubrovnik; Dubrovnik
- 4.4.1.9 An inclusive Emigration Museum; Gdynia
4.4.2 Communal infrastructures
- 4.4.2.1 A wine tasting pass; Bordeaux
- 4.4.2.2 Dubrovnik Summer Festival; Dubrovnik
- 4.4.2.3 Theatre on the beach; Gdynia
- 4.4.2.4 A creative city for media arts; Braga
- 4.4.2.5 Caravan tourism on the rise; Gaziantep
- 4.4.2.6 Altice Forum Braga; Braga
- 4.4.2.7 Culture Near You; Dublin
- 4.4.2.8 Urban Mediaspace Aarhus; Aarhus
- 4.4.2.9 Experiencing Athens like a local; Athens
- 4.4.2.10 Cross-Border City Walks, Szczecin
4.4.3. Usage of cultural heritage for new creativity
- 4.4.3.1 Old becomes new; Bordeaux; Dubrovnik; Dublin; San Sebastian
- 4.4.3.2 The Modernism route; Gdynia
- 4.4.3.3 Open-air museum; Helsingborg
- 4.4.3.4 A chatbot giving guided tours; Copenhagen
- 4.4.3.5 Making a museum at 14 Henrietta Street; Dublin
- 4.4.3.6 Les Bassins à Flot: the rise of a new tourist district; Bordeaux
- 4.4.3.7 Aarhus city of museums and gastronomy; Aarhus
- 4.4.3.8 Traditional techniques and contemporary expressions; Florence
- 4.4.3.9 GenovaJeans; Genoa
- 4.4.3.10 Outdoor Bathing Week; Helsingborg5
- 4.4.3.11 VR and AR experiences for Plečnik’s architectural works; Ljubljana
- 4.4.3.12 Connecting cuisine to culture; Ljubljana6
- 4.4.3.13 Digitalisation of the World’s Oldest Vine; Maribor
- 4.4.3.14 Transforming public transport into a sightseeing tour; Porto
- 4.4.3.15 Publicly accessible art storage facility; Rotterdam
Download the Compendium of Best Practices
The 2022 collection of best practices has been derived from applications that cities submitted to the European Capital of Smart Tourism competition. The report showcases the selection of best practices in each category (Accessibility, Sustainability, Digitalisation, Cultural heritage and creativity). The purpose of this document is to enhance and facilitate the exchange of best practices in promoting innovative and smart measures and initiatives for tourism destinations in EU Member States. The report aims at raising awareness about smart tourism tools, measures and projects, sharing the best practices in tourism implemented by cities and strengthening peer-to-peer learning and innovative development of tourism in the EU in general.
