Pintxos in a barn in the old town of San Sebastian, one of the finalists for European capital… [+] smart tourism
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Six European cities have been selected by the European Commission as finalists to be named Smart Tourism European Capitals of 2024.
The award recognizes cities that have demonstrated “extraordinary commitment to shaping the future of sustainable and innovative tourism” across five categories: accessibility, sustainability, digitalisation, heritage and creativity. An EU initiative to recognize intelligent solutions.
This is the fourth edition of the annual competition, with Paphos and Seville as European Capitals of Smart Tourism in 2023, Bordeaux and Valencia in 2022, Gothenburg and Malaga in 2020, and Helsinki and Lyon in the first competition in 2019. Award-winning.
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Cities from European Union and non-EU countries eligible for the single market program, with a population of over 100,000 and who have demonstrated “extraordinary commitment to shaping a sustainable and innovative tourism future” can participate. .
Winning cities receive extensive support in communications and branding.
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The finalists for the 2024 edition are:
Bremerhaven, Germany
Panoramic view of Bremerhaven (Germany) on a cloudy autumn day
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Located on Germany’s North Sea coast, Bremerhaven is a maritime tourist destination with a rich history as an important trading port, home to prestigious climate and energy research institutes, protected coastal landscapes, and natural beauty. It is a city that has worked to maintain its diversity. regional.
Bremerhaven was the first city in Germany to be awarded the title of ‘City of Science’ and is the German center for offshore wind energy, oceanography and climate research, port management, shipping, food and fishing.
Cultural and educational facilities include the new Phenomenta Science Center, History Museum, Sea Zoo with North Sea Aquarium, Climate House, German Immigration Center and German Maritime Museum.
Bremerhaven is an accessible city for people with disabilities.
cork and dublin, ireland
Colorful buildings and old boats at the harbor in Cobh, County Cork, Ireland
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cork
Two Irish cities, Cork and Dublin, secured their place on the list due to their “outstanding sustainability efforts and high levels of cultural engagement”.
According to the EU Commission, “Cork takes pride in its commitment to smart urban development and sustainability, demonstrating how cities can seamlessly integrate responsible practices into tourism models and everyday life. ing.”
Robot trees, LGBTI+ rights and cycling culture are some of Cork’s most impressive features.
The city has installed five “robot trees” to filter pollutants from traffic, expanded its cycling infrastructure and aims to have more than 100 kilometers of cycling facilities in place by 2025, marking the arrival of the International Rainbow It is the first and only city on the island to be a member of the City Network. We are committed to protecting LGBTI+ rights and inclusion.
The report also notes that Cork City has “displayed” more than 1,100 buildings in the city that are designated as “protected buildings”.
Grafton Street.dublin, ireland
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dublin
Located on the east coast, Ireland’s ‘bustling capital’ has a population of over 1.5 million people, with tourism playing a key role in the economy, supporting 68,000 jobs, welcoming 8.6 million tourists and contributing to the economy. contributed €2.6 billion to the
The city of Dublin has adopted an innovative tourism program that combines community, technology and innovation, pledging to “put universal accessibility at the heart of all projects and activities in the city” by 2028.
Dublin Airport has a sensory room and assistance dog rescue room for people with special needs and dementia to escape crowded environments, an induction loop amplification point for people with hearing impairments, and a We have taken the initiative by creating spaces for people with disabilities, including visual aids. With autism.
Dublin is a green city, with an expanding public transport system that moves 268 million passengers a year, a bike share scheme that takes 25 million journeys a year, over 1,600 bikes and extensive cycling routes. , ranked 11th on the Global Destination Sustainability Index. We recommend exploring the city and coast by bike.
The city has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
Piazza Ferrari, the historic center of Genoa
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genoa, italy
Genoa, the capital of Liguria, enjoys an outstanding reputation in Italy for its magnificent palaces and architecture.
Once a thriving industrial and commercial center, the city has since embarked on a comprehensive urban renewal process to revitalize its artistic and cultural heritage. This includes the restoration of 11 squares, the city’s historic ramparts and a number of repurposed historic assets. For cultural and non-profit activities.
Today, Genoa is a growing tourist and cruise destination, aiming to be sustainable and prioritizing accessibility and inclusivity. The central plan, called Genoa PEBA (Plan for the Elimination of Architectural Barriers), includes pedestrian spaces, handicap-friendly paths, expanded cycling paths and waterfront enhancements at eight municipal beaches.
Genova is expanding its travel portfolio, including the ‘TourTax’ web portal, which streamlines communication with 3,000 accommodation providers, and the ‘Genova Outdoor’ project, which includes itineraries designed to be accessed and navigated using public transport. It is a pioneer in smart tourism, which digitizes many aspects of the experience. Transportation and smart mobility options.
Genoa aims to offer a cultural, sustainable and environmentally compatible tourism model, alongside the city’s digital and green identity.
san sebastián, spain
View of San Sebastian – Donostia city, Basque country, Spain, Zurriola beach, Ulgull mountain, La. [+] Gulf of Concha, surrounding the Pyrenees and the Atlantic Ocean
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Located in Spain’s Basque Country, San Sebastian is a city that “combines a rich heritage, world-class gastronomy and a welcoming lifestyle,” explains the organizers.
San Sebastian’s tourism strategy puts the interests of its residents first.
The city was one of the first to introduce a tourism tax and pioneer a tourism observatory that leverages data to support decision-making and improve the experience for visitors and residents.
San Sebastian is home to a world-renowned gastronomic scene, with the second-highest density of Michelin stars per square meter thanks to the Basque Culinary Center and Spain’s first gastronomic university, workshops, tasting menus, and… Even the course.
“Residents and visitors enjoy a healthy lifestyle where sports and outdoor activities are an integral part of daily life,” the organizers claim. “Four beaches welcome surfers to ride the waves, and more than 80 kilometers of bike lanes invite cyclists to explore the city.”
helsingborg, sweden
View from Helsingborg, Sweden with city hall and views separating the country from Denmark
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Helsingborg is one of Sweden’s oldest cities and has close cultural and historical ties to Helsingor, Denmark, a 20-minute ferry ride from Øresund.
This vibrant city in southern Sweden prioritizes climate neutrality, technology and accessibility to create smart tourism experiences and improve the quality of life for the local community.
To achieve its goal of becoming a green, united, global and balanced city, Europe follows a comprehensive quality of life program with a focus on sustainable development and aims for climate neutrality by 2030. It is one of the pioneer cities in the world.
One of Helsingborg’s notable achievements is that since 2018 it has completely transitioned to fossil fuel-free public transport, resulting in a significant 65% reduction in carbon emissions.
