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• Odense of the past
  In Odense, the link with the Viking age is clear and even the city name, which translates to ‘Odin’s shrine,’ tells us that the locals worshipped Odin, the king of the Norse Gods. In 1086 the last Danish Viking King, Canute IV, was killed in Odense, another important event in the collective Danish history. The Viking ring forts are a testament to the Vikings and their highly developed technical expertise and organisational skills. Despite being hidden underground, the ring fort in Odense is made visible through a digital art installation, as part of Nonnebakken. The four other Danish ring forts are set to be awarded UNESCO World Cultural Heritage status at the end of September. Furthermore, at the city’s cultural-historical museum, Møntergården, visitors can explore the history of Odense, from the Viking age until today. Møntergården consists of a modern building with exhibitions as well as listed buildings. Find out more via: https://www.visitodense.com/tourist/what-do/time-travelling/feel-presence-history-odense
• Innovation in Mobility
  MUBIL has been set up as an International Reference Centre in electromobility and the creation of the 'City Science Lab Gipuzkoa' will make San Sebastián an innovation laboratory for the implementation of mobility projects. This has been undertaken in partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The 'City Science Network' proposes a methodology that is based on research laboratories in leading cities around the world responding to the challenges of citizenship and to contribute to progress towards a new city model. Integration into this network will allow San Sebastián to access, on the one hand, MIT's research, knowledge and technological capabilities, including 'CityScope', a 3D augmented reality platform that visualises complex urban data in a model on a small scale of the territory in real time. Find out more via: https://smart-tourism.sansebastianturismo.info/digitalisation/
• ‘Engage Skopje’ Platform
  The platform allows citizens, companies and other initiatives to publish and announce events on an interactive map. The platform is a tool for the city to be able to identify and map all the different groups that are active in contributing to the local cultural scene. It also encourages citizens to collaborate, create and discover more of the city. Find out more via: https://skopje.gov.mk/en_us/
• Essen 1887
  Essen 1887 is the world's first mixed reality tour. Visitors never lose sight of their surroundings. In contrast to virtual reality glasses, the mixed reality glasses are much smaller and transparent. Only when the glasses recognise digital markers in the city centre they project people, time gates, house facades and many other exciting things to discover on the inside of the glasses during the mixed reality time travel. With ‘Essen 1887’, visitors go back to the day of Alfred Krupp's funeral in 1887 and are guided by some well-known German actors. Find out more via:https://www.visitessen.de/essentourismus_tourismusinformation/essen_1887___eine_mixed_reality_zeitreise/essen_1887.en.html
• Klaipeda University
  Klaipėda City Municipality is actively pursuing digitalisation efforts to enhance services and attract both citizens and tourists, with a significant source of digital innovation stemming from Klaipėda University. Renowned for its scientific prowess, the university spearheads innovative digital projects, including the development of analytic databases, programming systems, autonomous mobile systems and cutting-edge web and computer applications. Through this collaborative initiative, the institution plays a pivotal role in advancing digital solutions that contribute to the city's modernisation and appeal. Find out more via: https://www.ku.lt/en/
• City management and organisation
  Data-driven decision-making plays a crucial role in Padua's city management and organisation. The city's Data Appeal Studio platform offers territorial analysis to monitor and analyse customer experience, identifies investment potential and shapes sales and marketing strategies. H-Benchmark provides valuable insights 37 into market prices, occupancy rates and profitability, aiding businesses in making informed decisions. The Osservatorio del turismo regionale Veneto federato (Tourism Observatory) serves as a shared system for information and monitoring, ensuring the sustainable development of tourism in the region. Find out more via: https://datappeal.io/it/
• Understanding local sentiment toward tourism
  The city developed the Your Dublin Your Voice Survey for tourism. They asked 1100 Dubliners from across the city how they feel about tourism across a range of topics from problems with tourism to how locals interact with visitors to the city. The results of this survey are now being developed into a stand-alone website that will allow both Dubliners and visitors to understand the impact of tourism in the city. Find out more via: https://www.dublincity.ie/business/economic-development-and-enterprise/economic-development/your-dublin-your-voice
• Gijón open portal
  The Gijón open portal features an open data platform offering access to over 700 datasets, accompanied by a user-friendly visualisation interface. As part of the Smart Growth group, the ‘IoT Open Data Citizen Portal’ project focuses on enhancing the City Council's existing open data model by designing and implementing services to expand beyond the publication of municipal public data. Find out more via: https://www.gijon.es/en
• Digital innovation for an enhanced tourism experience
  The city has been at the forefront of developing various digital tools and applications that enable tourists to interact with abundant cultural heritage in innovative ways: The Useeum app enables tourists to go on self-guided tours of Den Fynske Landsby, a historic village, providing immersive insights into our fascinating past. Carl Nielsen Camino: This 110 km guided audio tour, divided into stages, allows tourists to follow in the footsteps of the world-renowned composer Carl Nielsen. The route in Odense is about 5 km and guides the user through Odense's beautiful neighbourhoods, the city centre and even through the gardens at the Hans Christian Andersen House. Along the way, the user can listen to music, stories about Carl Nielsen and the city and anecdotes that relate to the geographical locations they pass. StoryHunt: The StoryHunt app invites tourists to explore Odense's streets while immersing themselves in the local history. From following the footsteps of Canute the Holy - the last Viking king to experiencing the 34 sounds and stories of the Viking era, this digital tool offers an engaging way to discover historical Odense. Find out more via: https://www.visitodense.com/
• Job creation and volunteering
  Besides jobs in the tourism sector, several of the events and festivals in the city utilise volunteers. The Hans Christian Andersen Festival has a large team of volunteers, many of whom have been a part of the festivals since the beginning and continue year after year due to the good conditions, inclusivity in the execution of the festival and the relationships they build. Social sustainability and social responsibility are crucial to the festival as a part of its overall strategy. Besides the volunteer community, the focus is on skill development for children and young people, bringing cultures together, school programs and partnerships. In addition, the festival focuses on minimising food waste, reusing materials, minimising plastic bottles, recycling leftover flowers from the Flower Festival and waste-sorting. 32 Find out more via: https://www.visitodense.com/tourist/what-do/green-city/sustainable-holiday-odense
• Eco-friendly Trolleybus
  Smart Gdynia champions shared transportation and cycling while optimising energy consumption through its eco-friendly trolleybus and bus fleet, recognised as one of the most modern in Europe and the world. With over 75 years of operation, the quiet electric trolleybuses have become integral to Gdynia's urban landscape, contributing to its distinctive character. The bus fleet features electric buses with anti-virus air conditioning and gas-powered vehicles adhering to the highest EURO 6 environmental standard for public transport. Find out more via: https://www.gdynia.pl/turystyczna-en
• ‘Take a breath Gdynia’
  Introducing the ‘Take a Breath in Gdynia’ campaign, this initiative aims to highlight the unique attractions of Gdynia during the autumn and winter seasons. The city, known for its four nature reserves, extensive sandy beaches, majestic cliffs and pristine forests with numerous hiking and biking trails, emphasises its local bioclimate and the cleanest air in Poland. The campaign centres around the theme of breathing, focusing on Gdynia's healthy and invigorating air. The City of Gdynia has curated three thematic tourist packages for the winter months (December to March) – sports, family and cultural experiences. These packages offer diverse activities, including winter sea swims under expert guidance, Nordic walking along coastal routes, SUP board sessions with instructors and discounted visits to museums. Accompanying the campaign are video breathing workouts led by renowned yoga teacher Malgorzata Mostowska, featuring simple exercises that can be practiced anywhere, encouraging visitors to explore the enchanting winter ambiance of Gdynia while promoting relaxation and stress relief. Find out more: https://www.gdynia.pl/turystyczna-en
• Istanbul Tourism Platform
  This Tourism Platform brings together stakeholders representing investment, organisation, auditing, communication, promotion and marketing. The platform aims to coordinate governance, planning, design and project development functions, working towards the goal of achieving sustainable tourism in Istanbul. An Istanbul Tourism Workshop, attended by around 300 individuals from approximately 130 institutions, was conducted in January 2020 and the outcomes were subsequently shared with the public. Find out more via: https://visitistanbulofficial.com
• OCEANHAMNEN
  An environment by the sea with smart tech solutions, a delicate balance with nature, where all waste becomes valuable. The district uses a pioneering three pipe technology, the first of its kind in Europe; water flow is separated via three pipes for food waste, toilet water and grey water from bathing and washing are separated at the source. The possibilities are endless regarding biogas production, reduced water consumption and cleaner fertiliser products for agriculture. The facility for this system is the award winning RecoLab, also located in the area. The Scandic Oceanhamnen hotel is connected to the three pipe system, so every guest is included in the district's circularity. The sustainable efforts continue with all hotels within the city, all of which are heated by district heating produced from residents' food waste. Below the depths of Oceanhamnen, an artificial reef promotes marine biodiversity; smart solutions allow the city and nature to live in harmony. Find out more via: https://hplus.helsingborg.se/etapper/oceanhamnen/
• ‘Alberiamo padova’ project
  This initiative advocates for the idea of an ‘urban forest’ through the ‘Gift a Tree to Your City’ program. Citizens are given the chance to donate trees, thereby contributing to the overall well-being and enhancing the city's appeal and liveability. Find out more via: https://www.padovanet.it/informazione/progetto-alberiamo-padova
• A green and biodiverse city
  In 2022, Odense participated in a competition to be named ‘Danmarks Vildeste Kommune’ (The wildest municipality in Denmark) measured in nature and biodiversity. In this competition, Odense won the ‘most sustainable nature project’ for its efforts to preserve and restore its forests. As part of being Denmark's greenest city, Odense Municipality, in collaboration with Natureventyr, has created several ‘nature adventures’ aimed at families. These adventures take place in green spaces in the suburban areas of Odense and take visitors on a child-friendly, educational tour with fun challenges. Find out more via: https://natureventyr.nu/
• Workshops and education at local farms
  the Saint-Denis Open Farm is a market gardening farm where tourists can learn about the realities of agricultural life through videos, explanatory panels and antique horticultural tools. Visitors can also take part in workshops to make bread, butter and apple juice, as well as watch the animals living in the farm being cared for. The Gally Farms, a hybrid space, conceived as a ‘Centre for the production of art and food’, combines permaculture market gardening, workshops (including apiculture with the production of the ‘Béton Honey’), cooking classes led by international chefs, cultural events and solidarity actions. The site's sustainable approach is also reflected in the art installations and various events that promote healthy eating and access to culture for all. Find out more via: https://www.lesfermesdegally.com/la-ferme-urbaine-saint-denis/la-ferme-ouverte-saint-denis 25
• Energyclimate Tour
  This tour provides knowledge on climate protection and renewable energies at ten different stations. At the individual stops on the tour, the topics are explored in greater depth with the help of research institutions, concrete applications and good examples. The tour is made possible by using the ‘Bremerhavenguide’ app. Find out more via: https://www.bremerhaven.de/de/aktuelles/presse-tourismus/neu-mit-bremerhavenguide-auf-energieklima-tour.142710.html
• VisitGenoa App
  The ‘VisitGenoa’ App allows visitors to experience attractions through virtual and augmented reality. The ‘Genova4all’ App has been specially designed for 17 blind and visually impaired people, so they can experience Via Garibaldi artistic heritage up close. Find out more via: https://www.visitgenoa.it/en/exploracity-new-way-discover-city
• Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan
  Prishtina’s tourism approach is guided by its Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP). The plan has entailed substantial investments to enhance infrastructure and facilities, aiming to minimise physical and technical barriers throughout the city. Key locations now feature ramps and elevators, while tactile paths and signage have been strategically introduced to assist visually impaired visitors in navigating specific areas. This inclusive mobility plan prioritises disability access, incorporating accessible pathways and sidewalks citywide, with a focus on improving accessibility in public buildings such as government offices, educational institutions and healthcare facilities. Initiatives like the installation of tactile indicators at pedestrian crossings and the provision of accessible parking spaces further emphasise Prishtina's commitment to enhancing mobility and fostering independence for individuals with disabilities. Find out more via: https://prishtinaonline.com/uploads/sump_pristina_final_report_en_a.pdf
• Playgrounds for all
  Playgrounds are an added incentive for families with children to visit Helsingborg. The long-awaited jungle-themed playground Djungellekan, inaugurated in Spring 2022, in the new innovative district Oceanhamnen, is a perfect example of an interactive, educational and, most importantly, fun place for families to visit. Djungellekan lets children experience the jungle with all their senses, including a uniquely themed soundscape. The theme continues into the revolutionary accessible-friendly toilets, focusing on the child-friendly user experience. Another accessible area is located at Sofiero Palace, a major visitor attraction. Within the forest towards the playground area, an experience path focused on accessibility has been built. The new route runs between the trees; there are beautiful lookout points; visitors can enjoy the peaceful nature at specifically designed viewpoints and barrier-free access. 15 Find out more via: https://visithelsingborg.com/uppleva-gora/?activity%5B%5D=for-barn&sortby=random
• Smart parking solutions
  In addressing parking challenges, Klaipeda is actively investigating smart solutions, incorporating sensors and real-time data to direct drivers to parking spaces, thereby minimising the time spent searching for available spots. The introduction of cutting-edge payment systems and mobile apps seeks to simplify the payment process and enable remote monitoring and management of parking zones. Additionally, the city has identified 14 locations equipped with facilities for charging electric cars. Find out more via: https://www.klaipeda.lt/en/
• Accessible parking
  Dublin is introducing new technology to help make finding accessible parking easier for individual visitors and locals who need to use car transport for accessibility reasons. The city is piloting a new app which will allow individuals with accessibility needs, to identify vacant accessible car parking spaces. There are over 500 accessible car parking spaces in Dublin and the city now plans to install sensors in accessible spaces throughout the city. Find out more via: https://data.smartdublin.ie/dataset/accessible-parking-spaces-dcc
• Chroma Light Show
  Polychromes found on the portals of Notre-Dame d'Amiens cathedral during restoration work reveal the use of bright colours on all sculptures from the 13th century onwards. This revelation led to the creation of the ‘CHROMA’ light show. Through the magic of light, CHROMA is an invitation to step back in time, to immerse oneself in a world close to that of medieval pilgrims. With over 1,200,000 spectators since 2017, the show has enabled Amiens to broaden its audiences and strengthen the appeal of its territory by showcasing its remarkable heritage. 51 Find out more via: https://www.visit-amiens.com/chroma-colourful-show-lights-notre-dame
• Dublin city culture company
  Dublin was one of the first European Cities to set up a dedicated Culture Company to help drive cultural participation in the city. Dublin City Council Culture Company runs cultural initiatives and buildings across the city with and for, the people of Dublin. They collaborate with people, communities, cultural organisations, businesses and Dublin City Council to embed cultural experiences and increase cultural participation throughout Dublin. Dublin City Council Culture Company was incorporated in March 2018. Its vision is for a Dublin where culture connects everyone and everything. Their mission is to connect people through culture and conversation to ignite imaginations and experiences. Since its inception in 2018 the Culture Company has run hundreds of cultural workshops. Find out more via: https://www.dublincitycouncilculturecompany.ie