Leading examples of Smart Tourism Practices in Europe
The 2023 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.
BEST PRACTICES IN ACCESSIBILITY
4.1.1 ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL
- 4.1.1.1 Inclusivity for all: Aarhus
- 4.1.1.2 Accessibility and Safety: Antalya; Seville
- 4.1.1.3 Accessible Beaches: Antalya; Gdynia; Gijón; Pafos; San Sebastián
- 4.1.1.4 Accessible City Guides: Cork; Essen; Gdynia; Padova; San Sebastián; Seville; Szeged; Zagreb
- 4.1.1.5 Accessibility to employment in the Tourism Industry: Eskiseher
- 4.1.1.6 Accessible Infrastructure: Gdynia; Genoa; Taranto
- 4.1.1.7 Accessible Tourism Representation and Management: Gijón; Izmir; San Sebastián
- 4.1.1.8 Accessibility for Families: Gijón
- 4.1.1.9 Accessibility as a driver for International Cooperation: Pafos
4.1.2 ACCESSBILITY FOR INFORMATION
- 4.1.2.1 Accessible Citizen Engagement: Aarhus; Efeler
- 4.1.2.2 The Commitment to Accessibility: Cork; Taranto; Zagreb
- 4.1.2.3 Providing Smart Access to Information: Kaunas; Lublin; Szeged; Taranto; Zagreb
- 4.1.2.4 Accessibility through Digital Innovations: Palermo; Porto; Seville; Zagreb
4.1.3 ACCESSIBILITY OF MOBILITY
- 4.1.3.1 Sustainable Accessibility Options: Cork; Genoa
- 4.1.3.2 Easy Accessibility of Public Services: Gaziantep
BEST PRACTICES IN SUSTAINABILITY
4.2.1 COMBATTING OR ADAPTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- 4.2.1.1 CO2-Neutrality: Aarhus; Matosinhos; Porto
- 4.2.1.2 Sustainable Action Plans: Antalya; Cork; Gdynia; Gijón; Seville; Szeged
- 4.2.1.3 Urban Water Management: Pafos; Seville
- 4.2.1.4 Urban Waste Management: San Sebastián
- 4.2.1.5 Sustainable Urban Transformation: Seville; Zagreb
4.2.2 PRESERVING OR ENHANCING THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
- 4.2.2.1 Planting Trees for All: Aalborg; Cork; Zagreb
- 4.2.2.2 Natural Preservation: Aalborg; Gijón; Pafos
- 4.2.2.3 Utilising Natural Resources for Recreation: Efeler
- 4.2.2.4 Sustainable Urban Planning: Gdynia; Szeged; Taranto
4.2.3 SPREADING THE FLOW OF TOURISTS
4.2.4 SUSTAINABLE EDUCATION
- 4.2.4.1 Sustainable Events: Aarhus; Essen; Genoa; Padova
- 4.2.4.2 Sustainable Handbooks and City Guides; San Sebastián; Seville
4.2.5 SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY
- 4.2.5.1 Cycling Opportunity for Tourists: Antalya; Cork; Essen; Kuanas; Lublin; Pafos
- 4.2.5.2 Sustainable Alternative Modes of Transport: Pafos; Palermo
- 4.2.5.3 Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans: Szeged
BEST PRACTICES IN DIGITALISATION
4.3.1 FACILITATING INFORMATION FOR SPECIFIC TARGET GROUPS
- 4.3.1.1 Digital Tours and City Exploration: Aarhus; Genoa; Pafos; Seville
- 4.3.1.2 Augmented Reality in Tourism: Gaziantep; Gijón; Lublin; Pafos; Seville
- 4.3.1.3 Digital Innovation in City Guides: Gdynia; Matosinhos
4.3.2 COLLECTING INFORMATION FOR SMART MANAGEMENT
- 4.3.2.1 Smart Urban Management: Aalborg; Cork; Essen; Gijón; Palermo; San Sebastián
- 4.3.2.2 Public Safety through Digital Solutions: Antalya
- 4.3.2.3 Open Data for Improving Tourism: Essen; Gijón; Seville; Taranto; Zagreb
- 4.3.2.4 AI in Smart Tourism: Gdynia
4.3.3 TRANSFORMATION INTO DIGITAL KNOWLEDGE SHARING
- 4.3.3.1 Digitalisation Festivals: Aarhus
- 4.3.3.2 Digital Art Experiences: Cork
- 4.3.3.3 Fostering Digital Education: Efeler; Eskisehir; Porto
- 4.3.3.4 Digital Access to Information: Padova
- 4.3.3.5 Being an Incubator for Digital Solutions: Palermo
4.3.4. INNOVATIVE MOBILITY THROUGH DIGITALISATION
- 4.3.4.1 Autonomous Driving Public Transport: Aalborg
- 4.3.4.2 Smart Bus Stops: Antalya
- 4.3.4.3 Digital Public Transport Systems: Konya
- 4.3.4.4 Smart Parking Innovations: Pafos
- 4.3.4.5 Digital Mobility Analysis: Szeged
BEST PRACTICES IN CULTURAL HERITAGE & CREATIVITY
4.4.1 REVIVAL OF CULTURAL HERITAGE
- 4.4.1.1 Sustainable Cultural Gastronomy: Aarhus; Gaziantep
- 4.4.1.2 Transformative Cultural Events: Pafos; Taranto
- 4.4.1.3 International Cultural Partnerships; Pafos
- 4.4.1.4 Experiential Tourism Projects: Palermo
- 4.4.1.5 Capitalising on Cultural Spirit: Seville
4.4.2 CREATING COMMUNAL INFRASTRUCTURES
- 4.4.2.1 Smart Public Buildings: Aarhus; Gdynia
- 4.2.2.2 Creating New Public Space: San Sebastián; Seville
4.4.3 CULTURAL HERITAGE USAGE FOR NEW CREATIVITY
- 4.4.3.1 Public Street Art: Aalborg; Cork; Kaunas
- 4.4.3.2 Providing Easy Access to Cultural Activities: Padova
- 4.4.3.3 Creative Perspectives on Discovering Cities: Antalya; Gijón
- 4.3.3.4 Creating New Cultural Heritage: Eskisehir; Gdynia; Genoa; Padova
- 4.3.3.5 Creating New Cultural Industries: Seville
4.4.4 MAINTAINING CULTURAL HERITAGE
- 4.4.4.1 Cultural Heritage & Creativity Strategies: Cork
- 4.4.4.2 Community Engagement: Cork; Genoa; Gijón
- 4.4.4.3 Integrating all into Cultural Heritage: San Sebastián

Download the Compendium of Best Practices
The 2023 collection of best practices has been derived from the applications the cities submitted to the competition. The report showcases the selection of best practices in each category (Accessibility, Sustainability, Digitalisation, Cultural Heritage and Creativity) and solely presents and relies on the data that the cities have submitted in their applications.

The selection of best practices compiled in this booklet has been derived from the applications that cities submitted to the 2023 competition and solely presents and relies on the information and data that the cities have submitted in their applications.

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.
