Dublin City Crowned 2024 European Capital of Smart Tourism
Dublin City is kicking off the year with a grand celebration as it officially takes on the prestigious title of the 2024 ‘European Capital of Smart Tourism.’ The Samuel Beckett Bridge, an iconic landmark in the city, gleamed with the hues of the European flag last night, marking the commencement of this significant recognition.
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Dublin City-European Capital of Smart Tourism 2024
Cities that are at the forefront of sustainability, accessibility, culture, and digital innovations are recognised with the European Commission’s ‘European Capital of Smart Tourism’ title. Dublin City stands out not only as the 2024 recipient but also as one of the few cities in Europe with a well-established Smart Tourism Programme. Dublin City Council, Smart Dublin, and the Dublin City Council Culture Company have all backed this effort, which has been crucial in putting Dublin at the forefront of smart tourism.
The city received congratulations from Catherine Martin, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media, who also underlined the city’s commitment to becoming a leading sustainable and cultural destination. Martin sees Dublin as a gateway for visitors to the island, highlighting the impact this recognition can have on inspiring other regions to strive for excellence in sustainable tourism practices.
Dublin City Council and its partners are going to launch an extensive year-long program that will include talks, workshops, and other activities with the goal of promoting sustainable tourism best practices. The designation will also foster collaboration with representatives from other leading European destinations, who will visit Dublin to share and learn from each other.
Dublin City Council Chief Executive Richard Shakespeare expressed his happiness at being named the 2024 European Capital of Smart Tourism. According to him, Dublin’s commitment to building a more inventive, inclusive, greener, and accessible city for both tourists and residents is demonstrated by this recognition. The Smart Tourism program, established in 2019, has enabled Dublin to glean insights from some of Europe’s best cities, which are now embedded in the city’s new Tourism Strategy 2023-2028.
The strategy, launched last month during the 2023 Culture Summit, outlines Dublin’s commitment to leveraging its designation as the European Capital of Smart Tourism to drive an innovative approach to tourism. With a focus on collaboration and sustainability, Dublin aims to set a precedent for other cities to follow, fostering better environmental, social, and economic outcomes for all. The Dublin City Council’s whole 2023–2028 tourism strategy is available here.
