To compete for the 2025 titles, European cities are asked to demonstrate their innovative tourism practices
The European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism and the European Capital of Smart Tourism competitions have been officially launched by the European Commission for 2025.
According to a press statement by the Commission, which is the administrative wing of the European Union, the Smart Tourism initiative recognises cities implementing new digital tools and practices such as equal opportunity and access to visitors, sustainable development and support to creative industries and local talent.
The statement adds that as the European Union’s third largest eco-system, tourism plays a crucial role in economic growth and job creation. With these competitions, the European Commission promotes and awards the future of smart and sustainable tourism in Europe.
EC says that to compete for the 2025 titles, European cities are asked to demonstrate their innovative tourism practices. The jury will select two winners, the ‘European Capital of Smart Tourism 2025’ and the ‘European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism 2025’, which will be announced in November 2024.
The statement adds that 2025 European Capital of Smart Tourism is the sixth edition of the competition. Dublin was selected as the 2024 Smart Capital. Previous winners include Pafos and Seville as 2023 Capitals, Bordeaux and València as the 2022 Capitals, Gothenburg and Málaga as the 2020 Capitals, while Helsinki and Lyon won the inaugural competition and jointly held the 2019 titles.
The European Capital of Smart Tourism 2025 will benefit from communication and branding support throughout 2025 which will tell the story of the outstanding smart and innovative practices that made it stand out and win, EC says.
It adds that the European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism is the successor of the European Destinations of Excellence (EDEN) competition in 2007 to reward non-traditional, emerging sustainable tourism destinations in Europe.
The competition is founded upon the principle of promoting the development of sustainable tourism in smaller destinations which brings value to the economy, the planet, and the people.
EC says that being the European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism 2025 will allow the winning city to serve as an inspiration to other tourism destinations across Europe, enhance their city’s profile as a quality travel destination, attracting visitors and generating economic growth in a sustainable way.
