Torino, Italy, and Benidorm, Spain, have been selected as the 2025 European Capital of Smart Tourism and European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism, respectively. These cities exemplify innovative approaches to sustainable, accessible, and digitally-enhanced tourism, setting a new standard for the industry.
The European Commission has unveiled the finalists for the prestigious 2025 European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism Awards. Seven cities have been shortlisted in each category, showcasing excellence in sustainable and innovative tourism practices across Europe. These finalists will present their proposals to a distinguished European jury in November, with the winners being announced shortly after.
China’s tourism sector is rapidly transforming through the integration of cutting-edge technology, offering visitors from around the globe an innovative and immersive travel experience. The 2024 China Culture & Tourism Industries Exposition showcased these advancements, demonstrating how smart tourism is shaping the future of travel in China.
The Tourism Innovation Summit (TIS) will take place in Seville, Spain, from October 23 to 25, 2024. This year’s event will feature the Touristech Startup Fest 2024, an entrepreneurship competition inviting startups to showcase their innovative tourism solutions. Startups with cutting-edge technologies in AI, data, automation, and sustainability are encouraged to apply. A total of 40 startups will be selected to pitch their projects to investors and industry leaders, with the winners receiving prizes and support programs. The summit highlights the role of technology in transforming the tourism sector, with a focus on creating more personalized, sustainable, and competitive experiences.
From May 24th to 25th, the Liaoning High-Quality Culture, Sports and Tourism Integrated Development Conference showcased significant progress in the province’s interdisciplinary approach. Over 1,000 officials from various sectors gathered to explore the fusion of culture, sports, and tourism, leading to 30 key collaborative developments worth 53.2 billion Yuan. Liaoning’s focus on leveraging technology for smart tourism initiatives included digital cultural demonstrations, virtual reality experiences, and mobile applications. The event featured parallel events, such as the Northeast Asia Food Culture Tourism Week and the Liaoning Provincial Intangible Cultural Heritage Boutique Exhibition, and attracted over 100 influential figures in the sector to promote Liaoning’s unique offerings.
