Wednesday, November 29, 2023
Dublin, Ireland, and Grosseto, Italy, emerged victorious in the 2024 European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism competition, as announced after a deliberation by the European Jury in Brussels on November 27-28, 2023.
A total of 40 destinations from 21 countries vied for the prestigious titles, with ten finalists selected to present their cases before the European Jury. Dublin caught the attention of the jury with its exceptional accomplishments across all competition categories and the impressive array of activities planned for 2024. Grosseto distinguished itself as a trailblazer in sustainable tourism, demonstrating its potential to serve as a model for other destinations.
The two winning cities will be honored with purpose-built sculptures prominently showcased throughout their tenure as European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism. Additionally, they will receive promotional support and join the expanding network of smart and sustainable tourism destinations in Europe. This network facilitates knowledge exchange and the sharing of best practices through workshops and the publication of a best practices guide. The 2024 European Capital of Smart Tourism aims to become a beacon for digital, accessible, sustainable, and creative tourism, showcasing innovative measures. The 2024 European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of sustainable tourism in the European and international tourism industry.
The European Capital of Smart Tourism competition seeks to encourage smart tourism in the EU by recognizing cities for their pioneering approaches in accessibility, digitalization, sustainability, and cultural heritage and creativity. Rooted in the success of a preparatory action proposed by the European Parliament, the initiative aims to foster innovative, sustainable, and inclusive tourism development while promoting the exchange of best practices.
The European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism, succeeding the European Destinations of Excellence (EDEN) competition, acknowledges and rewards smaller destinations with successful strategies for promoting sustainable tourism through green transition practices. The competition is based on the principle of fostering sustainable tourism that adds value to the economy, the planet, and people.
Smart tourism practices showcased by the 2023 competition applicants in Europe can be explored in the ‘Leading Examples of Smart Tourism Practices in Europe’ and ‘Leading Examples of Smart and Sustainable Tourism Practices in Europe’ reports. Furthermore, discussions on the role of smart tourism innovation and impactful tourism practices shaping the future in Europe are featured in the EU Smart Tourism Podcast series, where delegates from the competition winners, shortlisted cities, and EU Commission representatives contribute their insights.
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