Tourism: Bordeaux, Middelfart and Valencia are the winners of 2022 sustainable tourism awards

Yesterday night, the Commission announced that Bordeaux (France) and Valencia (Spain) are the winners of the 2022 European Capital of Smart Tourism competition. Middelfart (Denmark) is the winner of the 2022 European Destination of Excellence (EDEN) competition. These two EU initiatives aim to celebrate destinations for their smart and sustainable tourism practices, as well as to promote the growth of said practices in Europe. The European Capital of Smart Tourism competition recognises outstanding achievements in four specific categories: accessibility, sustainability, digitalisation as well as cultural heritage and creativity. The European Destination of Excellence competition addresses smaller tourism destinations, which can showcase their outstanding achievements in sustainability and inspire other tourism destinations in their green transition. The competitions were open to destinations across both the EU, as well as the non-EU countries that take part in the COSME programme. The winners will receive the official award at the Award Ceremony during the European Tourism Forum gala dinner on 16 November 2021, an event co-organised by the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU together with the European Commission. To support the tourism sector, which was heavily hit by the crisis, the Commission is currently working on the co-creation of a transition pathway for a more resilient, sustainable and innovative tourism ecosystem.