#Cultural Heritage #sustainable tourism #Brussels #Belgium #European Capitals

European Capitals of Tourism 2027: Shortlisted Cities Announced

The European Commission has officially released the shortlist of cities vying for the title of European Capitals of Tourism 2027. In this latest iteration, sixteen cities across Europe have been selected to present their candidacies before the European jury. This year's competition marks an exciting new beginning as it combines the essence of former competitions for European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism under the unified title of European Capitals of Tourism.

The selected cities were evaluated based on various parameters including sustainability practices, accessibility, digital transformation, and their dedication to preserving cultural heritage and supporting local talent. The diversity within the shortlist reflects Europe’s rich tourism landscape, emphasizing innovative, sustainable tourism practices.

Cities in the Spotlight

Category 1: Major Cities (Over 100,000 Inhabitants)

In the first category, the European Commission received applications from a total of 43 cities across 18 different countries. Eight major cities have made it to the final shortlist:

• - Aalborg (Denmark)
• - Braga (Portugal)
• - Genoa (Italy)
• - Konya (Türkiye)
• - Ljubljana (Slovenia)
• - Lviv (Ukraine)
• - Salzburg (Austria)
• - Sofia (Bulgaria)

These cities were selected for their outstanding proposals that demonstrate a commitment to pioneering sustainable tourism initiatives and enhancing accessibility.

Category 2: Smaller Destinations (25,000 to 100,000 Inhabitants)

The second category saw considerable interest with 40 applications from 17 nations. The eight finalists showcasing their sustainable tourism leadership are:

• - Calais (France)
• - Calvià (Spain)
• - Geestland (Germany)
• - Ibiza (Spain)
• - Nova Gorica (Slovenia)
• - Sandanski (Bulgaria)
• - Selçuk (Türkiye)
• - Zadar (Croatia)

These smaller cities are recognized for their innovative strategies that promote environmental sustainability and preserve local culture.

The Next Steps

The shortlisted cities will present their comprehensive proposals to the European jury on November 18 and 19, 2026, in Brussels. Following these presentations, two cities will earn the prestigious designation of 'European Capital of Tourism 2027.'

This competition is open to cities within the European Union and non-EU countries participating in the Single Market Programme (SMP). The high number of quality applications led to an extension in the shortlist for both categories, from four to eight destinations each, reflecting the fierce competition among these dynamic cities.

As the anticipation builds for the final decision, it's encouraging to witness such a strong commitment to sustainability and cultural heritage from cities across Europe. With travel likely to continue evolving, the initiative serves as an inspiration for responsible tourism practices in the future.

For ongoing updates about the European Capitals of Tourism initiative and details on the evaluation criteria, you can check the official documents or follow the initiative's platforms on LinkedIn and various podcast channels.