Helsinki wins European Capital of Smart Tourism 2019 competition
Helsinki has taken first place in the European Commission’s new European Capital of Smart Tourism 2019 competition. The title for 2019 was awarded to two cities: Helsinki and Lyon. The final selection took place on 24 September 2018 in Brussels, where Pia Pakarinen, Deputy Mayor of Helsinki, and Laura Aalto, CEO of Helsinki Marketing, presented Helsinki’s winning entry under the theme “Helsinki – taking smart to new heights”.
”Helsinki as a city is committed to promoting sustainable development and is showing the way in this regard also within the tourism sector in Europe. Over the coming year we will formulate a sustainable tourism action plan that will further strengthen our role as a pioneer in this joint project,” says Deputy Mayor Pia Pakarinen.
Factors that were evaluated in choosing the European Capital of Smart Tourism included city image, accessibility, sustainable tourism, digitalisation in tourism services, cultural heritage and innovativeness in tourism offerings.
“Helsinki is showing the way internationally. Helsinki’s success in this competition was made possible by our reinforced image as an attractive and functional city destination. In addition, our long-term work in offering and utilising open data has clearly become one of our leading success factors. For example, our award-winning city marketing website Myhelsinki.fi demonstrates Helsinki’s digital leadership,” says Laura Aalto, CEO of Helsinki Marketing.
In the second half of next year, when Finland will hold the EU Presidency, Helsinki will have an excellent opportunity to present its expertise also in sustainable tourism. In addition, Helsinki will host the World Tourism Cities Federation Summit in August 2019, when the eyes of the international travel media and global tourism experts will be firmly on our city.
Background information about the European Capital of Smart Tourism 2019 competition
The European Capital of Smart Tourism competition is a new initiative by the European Union that aims to promote smart tourism in the EU, network and strengthen destinations, and facilitate the exchange of best practices.
Altogether 38 cities from 19 EU Member States participate in the inaugural competition. Helsinki competed in the final selection with Brussels, Ljubljana, Lyon, Malaga, Nantes, Palma, Poznań, Tallinn and Valencia.
The award ceremony will take place in connection with European Tourism Day in Brussels on 7 November 2018.
You might also like
Madhya Pradesh offers Workcation with irresistible offers
WORKATION i.e. VACATION ALONGSIDE WORK Thinking of Vacations, but anxious will your work get affected, hold on with your thoughts because Madhya Pradesh tourism has recently launched an innovative and
Seychelles lifts ban on Indian travellers with immediate effect
Effective immediately, the Ministry of Health Seychelles has announced the entry of visitors from all countries, including India, irrespective of COVID-19 vaccination status. All travellers will be required to present
Ethiopian Airlines wins 2018 Africa’s outstanding food services award
Ethiopian Airlines has announced that it has won the 2018 ‘Africa’s Outstanding Food Services by a Carrier’ Award as voted by PAX International readers at a ceremony held at the Radisson Blu
