Awarding innovative, green and accessible tourism

The tourism sector plays a crucial role in generating growth and jobs in the EU, and still holds untapped potential – especially in the area of smart tourism. We aim to promote the EU’s forward-thinking tourism offer to global audiences and sustainably increase footfall at pioneering destinations that offer unique visitor experiences.
The European Smart Tourism initiative recognises outstanding smart and sustainable achievements by European cities as tourism destinations.
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Newsletter archive

August 2023: Smart Summer: News from the European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism Competitions
Need inspiration for a last-minute summer holiday? Visit Europe featured the 2023 European Capitals of Smart Tourism and the 2023 European Destination of Excellence (EDEN) in a series of articles.

June 2023: Apply Now for the 2024 European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism Competitions
The clock is ticking! Applicants have less than a month left for the European Capital of Smart Tourism and European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism 2024 competitions.

May 2023: The European Commission launches European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism competitions for 2024
On 5 May 2023, the European Commission launched the 2024 edition of the European Capital of Smart Tourism, as well as the European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism competitions; calling for cities to submit their leading examples of smart and sustainable tourism practices in Europe. Innovation, accessibility, and sustainability are the future of tourism, and the European Commission aims to keep European tourism ahead of the curve.

March 2023: Pafos and Seville at the forefront of innovative tourism in Europe
For the first time after three years, ITB Berlin, one of the world’s leading travel trade fairs, took place from 7-9 March 2023. ITB attendees had the opportunity to visit the European Capital of Smart Tourism and EDEN stand, be informed about the initiatives and get an insight into how the European Commission is supporting the EU tourism sector in turning challenges into opportunities and remaining competitive in a fast-changing global market.

February 2023: Accessibility in the spotlight of the new EU Smart Tourism podcast
The next episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast series is out! In this fourth episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast, we dive into the world of accessible smart tourism practices in Europe, the measures implemented and the people behind them taking a step further towards accessibility for all.

November 2022: Pafos and Seville are the 2023 European Capitals of Smart Tourism
Following a Jury meeting in Brussels on 9 November 2022, Pafos (Cyprus) and Seville (Spain) have been selected as the 2023 European Capitals of Smart Tourism. Both cities were nominated for their excellence as tourism destinations in accessibility, sustainability, digitalisation and cultural heritage and creativity.

September 2022: 2023 European Capital of Smart Tourism Shortlist Announced!
From a pool of 29 candidates from all over Europe, seven cities made their way to the next stage of the European Capital of Smart Tourism 2023 competition.

July 2022: The next episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast Series is out!
After taking the first steps into the world of smart tourism practices in Europe with the inaugural episode, the second episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast is now focusing on sustainable smart tourism practices in Europe, innovations, and people behind them who are driving the European tourism industry toward a greener form of tourism.

June 2022: 29 cities from 13 EU and COSME countries after the title of 2023 European Capital of Smart Tourism
On 1 June 2022, the first phase of the European Capitals of Smart Tourism 2023 competition officially concluded. We thank all the cities that submitted their candidatures to the contest.

May 2022: Last Call: Apply and become the 2023 European Capital of Smart Tourism
The European Capital of Smart Tourism initiative rewards cities for their pioneering smart tourism approaches in accessibility, digitalisation, sustainability, and cultural heritage and creativity. The competition provides the winners the platform to showcase their outstanding practices to the world.

April 2022: Will your city be the next European Capital of Smart Tourism?
On 31st March 2022 the European Commission launched the European Capital of Smart Tourism competition, the fourth edition of the competition that seeks to reward European cities for remarkable, original, digitalised, and sustainable tourism practices.

March 2022: Bordeaux and Valencia - a shared culture of smart tourism excellence in Europe
In February the third biggest Spanish metropolis and the capital of the French wine industry started their years as the 2022 European Capitals of Smart Tourism.

February 2022: Bordeaux and València launched as 2022 European Capitals of Smart Tourism
Bordeaux (France) and València (Spain) launched their European Capital of Smart Tourism 2022 titles and respective programmes with the presence of the cities’ Mayors, academia, stakeholders, and representatives of the European Commission.

October 2021: Seven European Cities competing for the 2022 European Capital of Smart Tourism Title
Bordeaux and València have been selected as the winners of the EU’s 2022 European Capital of Smart Tourism competition, following a European Jury meeting in Brussels on 26 October 2021. The winners will be awarded the trophy on 16 November 2021 at a ceremony as part of the 20th European Tourism Forum hosted by the Slovenian Presidency of the EU.

September 2021: Seven European Cities competing for the 2022 European Capital of Smart Tourism Title
We reveal seven shortlisted cities from the European Capitals of Smart Tourism 2021 competition. Seven European cities have been shortlisted for the 2021 European Capital of Smart Tourism competition (presented in alphabetical order):
Bordeaux (France), Copenhagen (Denmark), Dublin (Ireland), Florence (Italy), Ljubljana (Slovenia), Palma (Spain), Valencia (Spain).

June 2021: The European Capital of Smart Tourism 2022 competition deadline is closed
The application deadline for the European Capital of Smart Tourism 2022 competition is now closed. We thank all applicants for the effort they put into applying. All submitted applications, under the condition that they are admissible and eligible, will be reviewed during a pre-selection phase (Evaluation step 1) by a panel of independent experts in the tourism field. The finalist cities will receive further guidance on the live presentations in due time.

April 2021: The European Capital of Smart Tourism 2022 competition is now open for applications
On 22 April the European Commission launched the European Capital of Smart Tourism 2022 competition. This is the third competition of the EU initiative which rewards European cities for outstanding, innovative, and sustainable tourism practices, promotes smart tourism in the EU, fosters networking of destinations, and facilitates the exchange of best practices.

December 2020: The 2020 European Capitals of Smart Tourism: inspiring other urban destinations on the recovery of tourism from the COVID-19 pandemic
This year the world has been facing an unprecedented global health, social and economic emergency as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Travel and tourism are among the most affected sectors, amid global travel restrictions to contain the virus. During this challenging year, the 2020 European Capitals of Smart Tourism, Gothenburg and Málaga have launched a number of smart tourism initiatives and strengthened their network by working together with other cities to make European travel destinations smarter and to support the recovery of the sector.

July 2020: News from the 2020 European Capitals of Smart Tourism Gothenburg and Málaga
Gothenburg is taking part in Sweden’s ‘Safe to visit’ information campaign, an initiative that was launched in June. Hotels, restaurants and campsites can display a sticker on windows and entrance doors showing guests that they are complying with authority guidelines for reducing the spread of COVID-19. Read more news about Gothenburg here.

February 2020: The 2020 European Capitals of Smart Tourism kick off their year
Málaga celebrates its win as the 2020 European Capital of Smart Tourism
To kick off its year as the 2020 European Capital of Smart Tourism, Málaga celebrated with an impressive gala event full of performances at the city’s Trade Fair and Congress Centre on 28 January 2020, showcasing its achievements as a creative, accessible, sustainable and digital tourism destination. Francisco de la Torre, Málaga’s Mayor, appealed to the present members of the tourism sector, city representatives and well-known artists, to help build lasting momentum and join the city’s upcoming activities as the European Capital of Smart Tourism during the year.

January 2020: Gothenburg and Málaga are the 2020 European Capitals of Smart Tourism
Gothenburg (Sweden) and Málaga (Spain) have been selected as the 2020 European Capitals of Smart Tourism, following a European Jury meeting in Helsinki on 8 October 2019. The two cities impressed the European Jury not only with their exemplary achievements across all four categories of the competition, but also with the programmes of activities they intend to implement during 2020, and their capacity to act as a role model for other cities.

December 2019: Helsinki and Lyon close off the year as the 2019 European Capitals of Smart Tourism
Helsinki and Lyon close off the year as 2019 European Capitals of Smart Tourism. Throughout 2019, both cities have set high standards with their outstanding measures in smart tourism, promoted the European Capital of Smart Tourism initiative and strengthened their network by working together with other cities to make European travel destinations smarter.

November 2019: Gothenburg and Málaga selected as 2020 European Capitals of Smart Tourism
Gothenburg and Málaga have been selected as the winners of the EU’s 2020 European Capital of Smart Tourism competition, following a European Jury meeting in Helsinki on 8 October 2019. The winners were announced and awarded on 9 October 2019 at a ceremony on the occasion of the European Tourism Forum in Helsinki.

September 2019: 2019 European Capital of Smart Tourism Helsinki releases ‘Think Sustainably’ service for visitors and locals
In August, the 2019 European Capital of Smart Tourism Helsinki launched a local sustainability programme that enables users to find Helsinki’s most sustainable restaurants, accommodation, shops and experiences! The service also encourages its users to switch to emission-free transport options when in the city and features a route planner, displaying CO2 emissions of trips.

July 2019: 10 cities shortlisted in the running for the 2020 European Capital of Smart Tourism
The 2020 European Capital of Smart Tourism competition has moved onto its next stage. Out of 35 applications from across 17 EU Member States, the following 10 cities have been shortlisted to compete for the 2020 European Capital of Smart Tourism title.

June 2019: Discover the smart measures presented by the cities that applied to become the first European Capitals of Smart Tourism
Discover the smart measures presented by the cities that applied to become the first European Capitals of Smart Tourism
The Compendium of Best Practices presents a selection of smart and innovative measures put forward by cities in their applications to become the inaugural, 2019 European Capitals of Smart Tourism.

May 2019: 35 cities from 17 EU Member States competing for the 2020 European Capital of Smart Tourism title
The application deadline for the 2020 European Capital of Smart Tourism, an initiative rewarding innovative and smart tourism in European cities, is now closed!

April 2019: European Capital of Smart Tourism 2020 Competition – Does your city give its visitors a smart welcome?
The European Capital of Smart Tourism initiative rewards cities for their innovative smart tourism practices and gives them a platform to showcase their outstanding practices to the world.
The application deadline to compete for the title of 2020 European Capital of Smart Tourism will expire on 10 May 2019, so interested cities need to hurry up and apply!

March 2019: European Capital of Smart Tourism 2020 Competition – Still Open for Applications
European cities are invited to apply for the European Capital of Smart Tourism 2020 competition and showcase their exemplary practices as smart tourism destinations.

February 2019: European Capital of Smart Tourism 2020: Would your city be the next winner?
Today, the European Commission launches the European Capital of Smart Tourism 2020 competition.
The initiative rewards European cities for their smart, innovative, and inclusive tourism and gives them the opportunity to share their exemplary practices as smart tourism destinations.

December 2018: Introducing the European Smart Tourism Award Recipients
The first edition of the European Capital of Smart Tourism initiative has reached its conclusion, with Helsinki and Lyon declared the winners. Four additional cities were also recognised with 2019 European Smart Tourism Awards for their outstanding achievements in the initiative's four categories: Málaga (Accessibility), Ljubljana (Sustainability), Copenhagen (Digitalisation) and Linz (Cultural Heritage & Creativity). These cities received the highest individual category scores of all 38 applicant cities, during a pre-selection phase carried out by an independent panel of experts.

November 2018: Helsinki and Lyon awarded as first European Capitals of Smart Tourism during a ceremony at the European Tourism Day
During a ceremony at the European Tourism Day on 7th November 2018 in Brussels, Helsinki and Lyon, winners of the first edition of the competition, were officially awarded the title of 2019 European Capitals of Smart Tourism.

October 2018: Helsinki and Lyon selected as 2019 European Capitals of Smart Tourism by European Jury
The European Capital of Smart Tourism is a new EU initiative, based on a proposal from the European Parliament and implemented by the European Commission, to reward innovative and smart tourism in European cities.