Quick Highlights
- What: Competitions for ‘European Capital of Smart Tourism 2026’ & ‘European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism 2026’.
- Where: Open to EU cities and selected non-EU countries part of the Single Market Program.
- When: Applications due 30 May 2025 at 17:00 CET, winners revealed in November 2025.
- Why: To celebrate innovation in sustainable, accessible, and digital tourism strategies.
- Who Can Apply: Cities (EU and beyond) meeting population criteria.
Link to the official announcement: European Commission News.
Headline Act: The European Capital of Smart Tourism 2026
Forget the cliché postcard destinations. This competition highlights cities with brains, not just beauty—judging them on four core themes:
- Sustainable practices.
- Accessibility for all visitors.
- Smart use of digital tools.
- Rich cultural heritage and creative vibes.
It’s not the first rodeo either—2026 marks the seventh edition of this event. Over the years, cities like:
- Helsinki & Lyon (2019).
- Gothenburg & Málaga (2020).
- Bordeaux & València (2022).
- Dublin (2024).
…have snagged titles thanks to their impressive tourism strategies. Starting in 2024, however, the organisers decided to crown just one winner annually. For 2026, this honour could be yours—provided your city has a population of over 100,000 and knows how to deliver smart tourism with style. Check out the official applicant guide to get started.
Your Eco Moment: European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism
What about smaller cities? Don’t worry; they’ve got their shot at glory too—with the Green Pioneer title. This award celebrates places championing clever green solutions to promote sustainable travel.
To meet the entry criteria, cities must have 25,000 to 100,000 residents. That’s right, smaller destinations that are punching above their weight in eco-innovation. Winning this title goes beyond bragging rights. It shows how a city can blend tourism, economic contribution, and sustainability into one neat package. Bonus: it puts your city on the map for visitors who care about travelling responsibly.
Check the applicant guide if you’re keen to throw your hat (or probably a wind turbine) into the ring.
Who Decides All This?
The process sounds fancy but is fairly simple:
- Step 1: Independent experts comb through applications and cherry-pick the best examples of innovation.
- Step 2: Shortlisted cities present their cases to the highly mysterious European Jury, who picks the winners.
The two champions (one for Capital and one for Green Pioneer) will be revealed in November 2025, offering these cities their moment to shine throughout 2026.
Eligible Countries (No, It’s Not Just the EU)
This contest isn’t just for EU member states. Cities in certain non-EU nations that participate in the Single Market Programme (SMP) are also invited. Eligible locations include:
- EU Member States (all 27 countries).
- Non-EU participants such as:
- Albania
- Norway
- Türkiye
- Ukraine
- And a handful of others ambitious enough to join the party.
Why Enter?
Winning sounds great on paper, but what’s in it for the winners? Here’s the scoop:
- Professional branding and promotion throughout 2026.
- A slick promotional video to highlight your city’s achievements.
- A giant hashtag sculpture to inspire awkward tourist selfies in a prime location.
- Visibility across Europe (and beyond, if international media decides you’re worthy).
- Joining a network of previous winners—think of it as tourism’s VIP club—for idea-sharing and collaboration.
Important Dates to Remember
Don’t say you weren’t warned. Here’s your timeline:
- The deadline for all applications is 30 May 2025 at 17:00 CET.
- Winners announced: November 2025.
So, is your city ready to rise above tourist clichés, champion innovation, and maybe make visitors stop holding up their phones thinking Google Maps knows better?