What is smart tourism?
In a nutshell, smart tourism embraces innovative, digital and eco-savvy approaches to travel. From regulating the flow of travellers and supporting diverse communities to making the most of virtual reality and using the latest technology to break down language barriers, it responds to old and new demands in a fast-changing industry. As hotbeds of creativity and social activity, smart tourism destinations devise solutions that benefit locals while enhancing the visitor experience. In the EU, where tourism is the third-largest socioeconomic activity, making up around 10% of the economy, several cities are ahead of the curve.
Promoting smart tourism across Europe
The European Capital of Smart Tourism initiative aims to kick-start a conversation about smart tourism by applauding forward-thinking destinations. For the past two years, it’s defined smart tourism excellence across four categories: accessibility; sustainability; digitalisation; and cultural heritage and creativity. Rather than acting strictly as a contest, the goal of this EU-wide competition — developed in 2018 by the European Union and implemented by the European Commission — is to take examples from leading smart tourism destinations and provide a platform for other cities to discover those ideas, all the while fostering cooperation. Its Compendium of Best Practices is exactly that: chock-full of success stories, the free-to-access guide to smart tourism details everything from reusable coffee cups in Karlsruhe and smart waste management in Ljubljana to forward-thinking digital initiatives, such as Helsinki’s WeChat programme, designed for Chinese tourists. In 2020, Gothenburg and Málaga were both lauded for redefining their tourism offers.
Denne historien er fra January/February 2021-utgaven av National Geographic Traveller (UK).
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Denne historien er fra January/February 2021-utgaven av National Geographic Traveller (UK).
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Annette Arjoon-Martins
RAISED BY HER INDIGENOUS GRANDMOTHER IN GUYANA, SOUTH AMERICA, ANNETTE BUILT A FEMALE DRONE UNIT TO MONITOR MANGROVES
The Amazon to the Andes
THIS AUTUMN, PADDINGTON HEADS TO PERU ON THE BIG SCREEN - FOLLOW IN HIS PAWPRINTS FOR AN EPIC FAMILY ADVENTURE
Serra de Tramuntana
MAJORCA'S MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGE IS EVERY BIT AS BEAUTIFUL AS THE ISLAND'S COASTLINE - AND YOU CAN HIKE STRAIGHT FROM YOUR HOTEL
CRAFTING PERFECTION
Carlsberg's old brewing district has been redeveloped, offering creative new ways to enjoy Copenhagen
HOTEL AWARDS 2024
IT'S BEEN AN EPIC YEAR FOR HOTEL OPENINGS, REVAMPS AND EXTENSIONS, AND WE'VE SCOURED THE GLOBE FOR THE BEST OF THEM. WHETHER YOU WANT TO TUNE INTO THE JUNGLE FROM A TREEHOUSE, SLEEP IN A PIECE OF HISTORY OR WATCH THE SUN SET OVER MOUNTAIN PEAKS FROM YOUR BED, YOU'RE GUARANTEED A MEMORABLE STAY FROM OUR WINNERS AND RUNNERS-UP
MALDIVES
An archipelago of 1,192 coral islands and 26 turquoise atolls looping across the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is home to resorts that cater to every imaginable taste, from barefoot escapes to designer digs. The most convenient to reach are located in the South Malé, North Malé and Vaavu atolls, within speedboat distance of Velana International Airport, while more remote atolls are accessible by seaplane or domestic flight. With easy access to the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Baa and Raa are especially popular. Those around the Equator, including Gaafu Alifu, offer a splendid sense of isolation, abundant marine life and brilliantly starry night skies.
TRANSYLVANIA
The central Romanian region of Dracula fame makes for an intriguing autumn break - sink your teeth into its crafts and culture after discovering its turreted castles.
Audio adventures
FROM OVERTOURISM TO HOW THE OLYMPIC GAMES AFFECTS HOST CITIES, HERE ARE SOME OF THE BEST PODCASTS THAT EXPLORE THE WORLD
NICE
Historically a place where monarchs and aristocrats would escape the winter in favour of warm Mediterranean climes, this southern French city is at its best in the off season
BELFAST
In the Northern Irish capital, the healing and uniting powers of music and art are being used to reconcile the past, look to the future and bring communities together
