Champions of Change: What Europe’s Leading Destinations Teach Us About Sustainable Tourism

Across Europe, cities are stepping up to become global references for smart, sustainable tourism — not through slogans, but through real, measurable progress.

This session brings together Benidorm (current European Capital of Smart and Sustainable Tourism), Pafos, Dublin, and academic leader Prof. Xavier Font to explore how cities are turning bold goals into actionable policy, innovation, and long-term vision.

Topics include:

What it means to be named a European Capital of Sustainable or Smart Tourism

How to engage stakeholders and residents in meaningful transformation

Measuring sustainability beyond marketing: tools, data, and outcomes

Challenges of scaling solutions from pilot to policy

How cities can lead while staying livable