Dublin City has been awarded the 2024 European Capital of Smart Tourism designation by the European Commission.
The citation says this is in recognition of its commitment to a greener, more accessible, inclusive, and innovative tourism approach.
Dublin’s Smart Tourism program, established in 2019, has allowed the city to learn from other European cities and incorporate best practices into its own work through the new Tourism Strategy 2023-2023.
Dublin won from 30 candidates across 17 countries, with six cities shortlisted: Bremerhaven (Germany), Cork (Ireland), Dublin (Ireland), Genoa (Italy), Helsingborg (Sweden), and San Sebastián (Spain). Digital innovations, such as the Dublin Discovery Trails App, and new experiences like 14 Henrietta Street and EPIC the Irish Emigration Museum were mentioned in the citation:
“This city immersed in a rich tapestry of history, is a city full of culture and creativity. Now hailed for its commitment to sustainability and a strategic smart tourism vision and outstanding achievements, it has impressed the jury. Over the past year, this city has actively engaged people in decision-making, creating a destination that resonates with its people and embraces innovation at the same time. The city’s networking efforts with previous winners reflect a dedication to collaboration, leadership and innovation, and a beating European heart.”
Dublin was the first Irish city to sign the Glasgow Declaration on Sustainable Tourism.
The new Dublin City Council Tourism Strategy 2023-2028 is scheduled to be launched on November 30th, 2023. Dublin aims to become the world’s first autism-friendly city by 2026.
