Gothenburg & Malaga – 2020 Capitals of Smart Tourism – Under the spotlight at ITB Berlin NOW
Gothenburg and Málaga have been selected as the winners of the 2020 European Capital of Smart Tourism competition. In addition, four cities received 2020 European Smart Tourism Awards for their outstanding achievements in one of the categories of the competition: Breda (Accessibility), Gothenburg (Sustainability), Ljubljana (Digitalisation) and Karlsruhe (Cultural heritage and Creativity).
The European Capital of Smart Tourism is an EU initiative. It gives European cities the opportunity to share their exemplary practices as smart tourism destinations and awards the titles of European Capital of Smart Tourism through an EU-wide competition to those cities that implement the most outstanding measures.
The European Capital of Smart Tourism initiative recognises outstanding achievements by European cities as tourism destinations in four categories: sustainability, accessibility, digitalisation as well as cultural heritage and creativity. It aims to promote smart tourism in the EU, network and strengthen destinations, and facilitate the exchange of best practices.
Smart tourism responds to new challenges and demands in a fast-changing sector, including the evolution of digital tools, products and services; equal opportunity and access for all visitors; sustainable development of the local area; and support to creative industries, local talent and heritage.
Helsinki and Lyon were the 2019 European Capitals of Smart Tourism.
Photo top of page: Hotel building in Gothenburg, Sweden –
© Linda Tate Wolfbard / Unsplash