The European Commission has opened a call for prestigious titles European Smart Tourism Capital 2026. and European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism 2026., thereby recognizing and rewarding the outstanding achievements of European cities in innovative and sustainable tourism practices.
Smart Tourism Initiative
This European Union initiative aims to promote smart and sustainable tourism, networking destinations and facilitating the exchange of best practices. It focuses on four key categories:
- Sustainable Development
- Accessibility
- Digitization
- Cultural Heritage and Creativity
European Smart Tourism Capital 2026.
The call for the European Smart Tourism Capital is open to cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants from EU member states and countries participating in the Single Market Programme (SMP), such as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine. Cities that win this title will receive support in communication and branding, including the production of a promotional video and the placement of a sculpture with a hashtag at a prominent location in the city, thereby increasing their visibility on a European and international level.
European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism 2026.
Parallel to this call, a call for the European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism 2026 has also been launched, which is intended for smaller sustainable tourism destinations with populations between 25,000 and 100,000 inhabitants. This award recognizes destinations that have successfully implemented strategies to promote sustainable tourism through green transition.
Application and Selection Process
Interested cities must submit their applications via an online form by May 30, 2025. presenting their innovative tourism practices. The applications will first be evaluated by a commission of independent experts, and cities that make it to the shortlist will be invited to present their candidacies before a European jury. The winners will be announced in November 2025.
Encouraging Participation and Promotion
All interested parties are invited to share information about these initiatives through their communication channels, such as websites and social networks. It is also recommended to contact the administrations of tourism destinations to encourage their participation in the calls, thereby further improving the tourism offer and the recognition of destinations at the European level.
Accommodation in Destinations
Cities that win the titles of European Smart Tourism Capital or European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism often experience an increase in tourist interest. Therefore, it is important that these destinations provide diverse and quality accommodation capacities to meet the needs of visitors. From luxury hotels to affordable hostels and private accommodations, a diverse offer can contribute to a better tourist experience and a positive perception of the destination.
More information: https://smart-tourism-capital.ec.europa.eu/apply/european-capital-smart-tourism_en
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