The European Commission unveils the 2025 European Capital and
Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism, recognising their outstanding
achievements in accessibility, sustainability, digitalisation, and
cultural heritage & creativity as exceptional tourism
destinations.
BRUSSELS, Nov. 28,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Torino (Italy) and Benidorm (Spain) have been selected as the winners
of the EU's 2025 European Capital and Green Pioneer of
Smart Tourism competition, following a European Jury
meeting in Brussels on
26-27 November 2024.
In total, 37 destinations from across 16 countries competed for
the European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism titles.
Fourteen destinations were shortlisted and invited to present their
candidatures in front of the European Jury. Torino impressed
the European Jury not only with its remarkable achievements across
all four categories of the competition, but also with the
outstanding programmes of activities they intend to execute during
2025. Benidorm stood out as a pioneer in sustainable tourism,
showcasing its capacity to act as a role model for other
destinations.
Both winners will receive a purpose-built sculpture to be
prominently displayed throughout their year as 2025 European
Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism. Furthermore, the
winners will receive promotional support and become a part of the
growing network of smart and sustainable tourism destinations in
Europe. The network is
facilitating knowledge sharing and the exchange of best practices,
via a series of workshops and publication of a best practices
guide. The 2025 European Capital of Smart Tourism will become a
role model for digital, accessible, sustainable and creative
tourism in Europe and beyond,
showcasing innovative tourism measures. The 2025 European Green
Pioneer of Smart Tourism will be given a prominent role in shaping
the future of sustainable tourism in the European tourism industry
and actively participate in making a large impact on an
international stage.
The European Capital of Smart Tourism competition aims to
promote smart tourism in the EU by rewarding cities for their
pioneering smart tourism approaches in accessibility,
digitalisation, sustainability, and cultural heritage and
creativity. Built on the successful experience of a preparatory
action proposed by the European Parliament, the initiative seeks to
foster innovative, sustainable, and inclusive tourism development,
as well as spread and facilitate the exchange of best
practices.
The European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism is the successor of
the European Destinations of Excellence (EDEN) competition. It aims
to recognise and reward smaller destinations that have put in place
successful strategies to boost sustainable tourism through green
transition practices. The competition is founded upon the principle
of promoting the development of sustainable tourism in destinations
which brings value to the economy, the planet and people.
Smart tourism practices in Europe implemented by the applicants of the
2024 competition can be found in the 'Leading Examples of Smart
Tourism Practices in Europe'
report and the 'Leading examples of Smart and Sustainable Tourism
Practices in Europe' report
Likewise, delegates from the European Capital of Smart Tourism
competition winners, shortlisted cities, and EU Commission's
representatives discuss in the EU Smart Tourism
Podcast series the role of smart tourism innovation and
examine tourism practices that are shaping the future in
Europe.
For the latest updates on the European Capital of Smart
Tourism, follow us on our website, Facebook, or X, and subscribe to
our podcast series.
For further press information, contact:
EU Smart
Tourism Secretariat:
Sandra Bumbar-Malchow
info@SmartTourismCapital.eu, +49 (0) 30 70 01 86 390
Notes to Editors:
- The 2025 European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism
competitions were open to submissions from 6
March 2024 to 31 May 2024.
Terms and conditions are available
at https://smarttourismcapital.eu.
- In the first stage of the competition, a panel of independent
experts evaluated the applications. As the result of the
evaluation, two shortlists of seven Capital and Green Pioneer
finalists were established. All finalist Capital cities
demonstrated excellence across the four competition categories
combined and the finalists Green Pioneer destinations stood out for
their green transition practices.
- In the second stage, representatives of all finalists presented
their candidatures and the programme of activities planned for 2025
in front of the European Jury. The European Jury met on
26-27 November 2024 in Brussels and selected two destinations to hold
the titles of the European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart
Tourism in 2025.
- Smart tourism responds to new challenges and demands in a
fast-changing sector, including the expectation of digital
information, products, and services; equal opportunities and access
for all visitors; sustainable development of the local area; and
support to creative industries and local talent.
- In 2023, from 29 applicant cities, Dublin was selected as the 2024 European
Capital of Smart Tourism. In 2022, from amongst 29 EU cities which
applied, Pafos and Seville were
selected as the European Capitals of Smart Tourism in 2023. 2021,
from 30 EU cities which applied, Bordeaux and València won the title of
European Capitals of Smart Tourism 2022. In 2019, amongst 35 EU
cities which applied, Málaga and Gothenburg stood out and were selected as the
European Capitals of Smart Tourism 2020. In 2018, amongst 38 EU
cities, Helsinki and Lyon stood out and were selected the European
Capitals of Smart Tourism 2019. Grosseto was selected as the 2024
European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism, while previous winners of
European Destinations of Excellence (EDEN) include Kranj in 2023
and Middelfart in 2022.
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SOURCE European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism
