Smart Tourism: solutions directory for destinations

How the directory works

1Pick the problem

Categories follow what a destination has to solve: a new EU rule, crowding, access needs, reporting, AI visibility.

2Compare on buyer and region

Each listing shows who it is built for and where it operates, with a link to the source of every claim.

3Check where it is in use

Instead of star ratings, listings show documented deployments: which city or site runs the tool, and the evidence.

Happening now

4 NOV2026 · scheduled

EU policy · scheduled

The EU's first tourism strategy is due from the Commission

The Commission is scheduled to present the EU's first strategy for tourism on 4 November 2026. It is non-binding, but it will set the direction for EU funding, data infrastructure and rules affecting destinations. Managing visitor flows, a tourism data space and the use of data and AI are among the areas the Commission has said it will cover.

Data and AI: A European tourism data space, and support for businesses and destinations to use data, AI and other technologies.
Visitor flows: Spreading demand away from hotspots and peak months by promoting lesser-known places and off-season travel, so that local communities benefit.
Next: presentation to member states on 16 November.

Read the briefing Parliament tracker

18–19 NOV 2026

Awards · upcoming

Jury hears the 16 cities in the running for European Capitals of Tourism 2027

Shortlisted cities present to the European jury in Brussels, which then names one winner for cities above 100,000 people and one for cities of 25,000 to 100,000. Ljubljana, Salzburg, Genoa and Ibiza are among them.

Source: Travel Tomorrow

16 NOV 2026

EU policy · upcoming

Commission to walk member states through the tourism strategy

The Council's tourism working party has the EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy on its agenda: a presentation by the Commission, then an exchange of views among national delegations.

Source: Council of the EU, CM 4618/26

OCT 2026

EU policy · skills

First EU Academy for Tourism announced as the sector runs a million workers short

Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas told the WTTC Global Summit in Malta that the academy will link training providers with tourism businesses. He also said the strategy will cover a tourism data space and support for destinations using data and AI.

Source: RusTourismNews

SEP 2026

Awards · shortlist

16 cities shortlisted for European Capitals of Tourism 2027

The first edition under the merged title that replaced the European Capital of Smart Tourism and Green Pioneer awards. Eight cities compete in each size category, including Lviv, Konya, Zadar and Calais.

Source: TravelDailyNews

27 SEP 2026

AI · UN Tourism

World Tourism Day dedicated to the digital agenda and AI

El Salvador hosted this year's official celebration, with UN Tourism framing AI and digital tools as the theme for the sector.

Source: Hospitality Net

JUL 2026

Visitor flows · Venice

Venice closes its second year of day-tripper charging

The access fee ran on 60 peak days from 3 April to 26 July, at €5 when booked at least four days ahead and €10 closer to the visit.

Source: Wego

28 MAY 2026

EU policy · Council

Member states set their priorities for the tourism strategy

Council conclusions under the Cyprus Presidency call for balanced tourism that tackles both crowding and under-visited regions, year-round connectivity, skills and crisis preparedness.

Source: Cyprus Mail

20 MAY 2026

Regulation · in force

Short-term rental data rules apply EU-wide

Regulation (EU) 2024/1028 sets up host registration and platform data sharing with authorities. Caps and bans remain local decisions.

Source: EU Tourism Platform

Earlier news · more than six months old (3)

28 APR 2026
EU policy · Parliament
Parliament adopts its wish list for the tourism strategy
The non-binding resolution asks for a stronger short-term rental framework that lets countries cap or zone rentals, a tourism skills card, night trains and integrated ticketing.
Source: European Parliament
7 APR 2026
Awards
Smart tourism awards merged into European Capitals of Tourism
The Commission opened the 2027 competition under one title, with the same rules and prizes as the former Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism awards.
Source: European Commission
MAR 2026
AI · launch
Drifter AI launches a tool to track how AI assistants recommend destinations
Currents, launched around ITB Berlin, compares how often AI systems suggest a destination against its peers. Listed in the AI category.
Source: Drifter AI release

Questions

What is smart tourism?

For the EU's award, a smart tourism destination uses ICT-based tools to make tourism products, services, spaces and experiences easier to access. Entries are judged on sustainability, accessibility, digitalisation, and cultural heritage and creativity.

What happened to the European Capital of Smart Tourism award?

From the 2027 edition it and the Green Pioneer award run as one competition, European Capitals of Tourism, with the same rules and prizes. Tampere and Dubrovnik hold the 2026 titles.

What does Regulation (EU) 2024/1028 do?

Since 20 May 2026 it sets common EU rules for registering short-term rental units and for platforms to share data on them with public authorities. Caps and bans remain local decisions.

When will the EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy be published?

The Commission is scheduled to present it on 4 November 2026. It is the EU's first strategy of its kind and is non-binding. Our briefing page sets out what it is expected to cover.

How are listings chosen?

Any product sold to destinations for these problems can be listed, free. Each listing links to its source, and deployments are only shown where a public source documents them.

Find the technology behind smarter destinations