An expert commission evaluated the achievements of the candidate cities in several directions. For the capitals of smart tourism in 2019 Helsinki and Lyon were announced.
The competition was aimed at distinguishing European cities and giving them the opportunity to share their exemplary practices of smart tourist destinations. It was planned to select 2 capitals of smart tourism, as well as to be awarded the achievements of cities in four areas – sustainability, accessibility, digitization and cultural heritage and creativity.
The competent jury has examined applications from 38 European cities. Experts assessed the achievements of the candidate cities in several categories: the availability of urban environment, environmental sustainability, digital technologies in tourism, cultural heritage and creativity. As a result, the best are announced for the Finnish capital and Lyon in France. According to jury members, the two places have shown exceptional solutions that aim to make tourism in these cities innovative and to raise it to a brand new level.
The jury also noted special achievements in the urban development of the Spanish city of Malaga. In digital enhancing, the prize was awarded to Copenhagen, and the Austrian city of Linz was excellent in preserving the cultural heritage. The European Award for Smart Tourism in Sustainable Development took Ljubljana.
Source: https://www.economic.bg/
