Finalists Announced for the 2025 Smart Tourism Awards
Today, the European Commission announced the finalists for the 2025 European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism competitions. These prestigious awards celebrate cities dedicated to improving smart and sustainable tourism. Their goal is to encourage networking and share best practices across the tourism industry throughout Europe.
2025 European Capital of Smart Tourism Finalists
Smart gets you further
Among the 21 candidates from different countries, seven cities have been selected for the 2025 European Capital of Smart Tourism, demonstrating innovative methods in tourism management. The finalists, listed in alphabetical order, are: Brussels (Belgium), Genoa (Italy), Konya (Türkiye), Lahti (Finland), Lviv (Ukraine), Porto (Portugal), and Torino (Italy).
2025 European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism Finalists
Green leads the way
In the 2025 European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism competition, seven cities were chosen from 16 applicants for their sustainable tourism initiatives. The cities recognized for their contributions to eco-friendly tourism are Aveiro (Portugal), Benidorm (Spain), Jurmala (Latvia), Liep?ja (Latvia), Nea Propontida (Greece), Panev?žys (Lithuania), and Sliven (Bulgaria).
What to Expect from the Finalists
The selected cities will present their proposals to a European jury in late November 2024. Shortly after that, the 2025 European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism will be announced. Finalists were selected based on their strong applications, evaluated by independent experts focused on advancing tourism innovation.
Benefits for the Winning Cities
The winners will receive extensive support in communication and branding. This includes a promotional video, a hashtag sculpture installation, and targeted campaigns to boost their visibility at both EU and global levels.
About the Smart Tourism Initiative
Launched in 2018, the European Capital of Smart Tourism competition aims to highlight cities excelling in areas like accessibility, digitalization, sustainability, and cultural heritage. Some notable previous winners include Dublin, Seville, Pafos, and Bordeaux, showcasing a variety of innovative strategies from different cities.
The Green Pioneer initiative encourages smaller destinations that promote sustainable tourism practices. The European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism recognized places like Grosseto in Italy for 2024, putting smaller towns in the spotlight alongside larger cities.
If you're interested in exploring smart and sustainable tourism practices, there are valuable resources being shared. This includes reports featuring leading examples from previous winners, fostering knowledge exchange throughout Europe.
Stay Informed About Smart Tourism Developments
If you want to stay updated on the latest news related to the European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism, various platforms are available. It’s a good idea to follow the official website and social media pages for updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Smart Tourism Awards?
The Smart Tourism Awards recognize cities for their innovative practices and commitment to sustainable tourism, showcasing efforts that lead to better travel experiences.
How are finalists chosen for the awards?
Finalists are selected through a thorough evaluation process, led by independent experts who assess the applications submitted by various European cities.
What benefits do winners receive?
Winners are provided with substantial communication and branding support, which includes promotional videos and campaigns designed to increase their visibility.
Are non-EU cities involved in the competition?
Yes, cities from non-EU countries that participate in the Single Market Programme can also compete for these awards.
Can I follow the developments of the award process?
Absolutely, updates are available through the official smart tourism website and their social media channels to keep you informed about the latest news.