2026 Smart Tourism competition opens & 2025 best practices report released

In February 2025, the Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE) of the European Commission published the report Leading Examples of Smart Tourism practices in Europe from the 2025 European Capital of Smart Tourism competition. The report highlights best practices from tourism destinations across four key areas: accessibility, sustainability, digitalisation, and cultural heritage and creativity. It aims to facilitate knowledge exchange, enhance peer-to-peer learning, and promote innovative tourism development across the EU.

The report showcases a selection of best practices in each category and relies exclusively on the data provided by the cities in their applications to the 2025 competition. Its purpose is to raise awareness of smart tourism tools, measures, and initiatives, sharing successful strategies to enhance innovation and sustainability in tourism across the EU.

Applications now open for 2026

The European Commission has launched the 2026 editions of the European Capital of Smart Tourism and the European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism competitions. Tourism destinations across Europe are invited to submit their innovative and sustainable tourism initiatives. 

To compete for the 2026 titles, cities must submit their applications online before 30 May 2025, 17:00 CET.

Shortlisted cities will present their candidacy to a European Jury composed of representatives from the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Committee of the Regions, and EU Member States. Two winners will be selected - the ‘European Capital of Smart Tourism 2026’ and the ‘European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism 2026’ - to be announced in November 2025.   

Eligible countries include all 27 EU Member States and non-EU countries participating in the Single Market Programme (SMP), including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Kosovo[1], Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Türkiye, and Ukraine. 

Winning cities will receive communication and branding support throughout 2026, including:

• A promotional video
• A large hashtag sculpture for public display
• Visibility at the EU and international levels
• Membership in a growing network of smart tourism destinations

The European Capital of Smart Tourism recognises outstanding achievements in sustainability, accessibility, digitalisation as well as cultural heritage and creativity. This initiative has a proven track record with Torino selected as the 2025 Smart Capital, following Dublin (2024), Pafos & Seville (2023), Bordeaux & València (2022), Gothenburg & Málaga (2020), and Helsinki & Lyon (2019).

The European Capital of Smart Tourism competition is open to cities with a population of over 100 000. For more information, please refer to the European Capital of Smart Tourism Guide for Applicants. 

The European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism 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. Winning this title will allow the city to inspire other tourism destinations across Europe and enhance the city’s profile as a quality travel destination.  

The Green Pioneer competition is open to cities with a population between 25 000 – 100 000. For additional information, please refer to the European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism Guide for Applicants. 

[1] This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

Author: Celia Miras Lopez

Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect those of the European Commission.