The European Commission has launched a competition to promote 'smart tourism' within the EU.
The initiative recognises outstanding achievements by European cities as tourist destinations in the areas of sustainability, accessibility, digitalisation as well as cultural heritage and creativity.
In total, six cities have been shortlisted for the 2024 competition, with two Irish locations making the cut:
- Bremerhaven, Germany
- Cork, Ireland
- Dublin, Ireland
- Genoa, Italy
- Helsingborg, Sweden
- San Sebastián, Spain
The competition credited Dublin as a bustling capital city that ties together community, tech and innovation:
"To ensure a successful and sustainable future, Dublin has implemented a strategic smart tourism programme that brings together community, technology and innovation to co-create and transform the traditional tourism experience."
Ranked 11th in the Global Destination Sustainability Index, Dublin seems to have made the short-list thanks to its expanding public transport system and low-carbon commitments as well as its cultural engagement and plans for universal accessibility.
Meanwhile, Cork was praised for making responsible tourism practices as part of its daily life:
"Cork takes pride in its commitment to smart urban development and sustainability. With a diverse range of accolades and initiatives, Cork exemplifies how a city can seamlessly integrate responsible practices into its tourism model and daily life."
As a member of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, and a participant in the WHO European Healthy Cities Network, the city stands as one of the 100 EU Mission Cities striving to attain climate neutrality by 2030.
As well its sustainable commitments, the city has been praised for being exceptionally inclusive and proud of it's heritage.
Each of the shortlisted cities will present their candidature to a European jury in November 2023.
