Dublin Wins ‘Smart Tourism’ Title

The European Commission has announced that Dublin City has won the Smart Tourism Capital Award designation for 2024. The announcement was made in Brussels. 

Said Richard Shakespeare, Chief Executive, Dublin City Council:

“This designation is a recognition of our commitment to deliver a greener, more accessible, inclusive and innovative Dublin for both our visitors and locals. Our Smart Tourism programme, which was established in 2019, has been sharing, collaborating and learning from some of the best cities in Europe and embedding this best practice in our own work through our new Tourism Strategy 2023-2028.”

The contestants comprised 30 candidates spanning 17 countries with six cities short-listed: Bremerhaven (Germany), Cork (Ireland), Dublin (Ireland), Genoa (Italy), Helsingborg (Sweden) and San Sebastián (Spain). Following this competitive process, the judging panel recognised that Dublin has embedded best Smart Tourism practices from across Europe through its collaborations with other cities and the publication of its first five-year tourism strategy with a strong focus on innovation.

New experiences such as 14 Henrietta Street, EPIC the Irish Emigration Museum, as well as digital innovations such as the Dublin Discovery Trails App separated Dublin from the other applicants. Dublin has also committed to sustainability by being the first Irish city to sign the Glasgow Declaration on Sustainable Tourism. Dublin also impressed the judges through its vision to become the world's first autism-friendly city by 2026.

The judges said:

“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.”