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• A destination that strikes a balance
  Bordeaux aims to maintain a balance, such as the equilibrium found between the city’s urbanised zones and natural spaces. This balance, sustained through the promotional activities of the Bordeaux Convention Bureau (BCB), avoids a bottleneck effect in terms of in-season tourist presence. Business travellers mainly come to Bordeaux in June, November and March (according to 2015-2018 statistics). Natural pathways are central to the city’s tourism strategy, with the inauguration of the first ‘Metropolitain GR’ (Grande Randonnée) in France (160 km, 17 cities), in addition to the many footpaths and cycle routes that already exist around Bordeaux. Find out more at: https://www.bordeaux-tourism.co.uk/nature/leisure/long-hiking-trail-accessible-tram
• Zero waste shopping policy by ‘Zelena Japka’
  Zelena Japka (Green Japka) store is the first store without plastic packaging and a zero-waste store in Maribor. Opened in 2019, it is the first store operating under the brand Kupujem odgovorno which raises consumer awareness and encourages them to make socially responsible purchases. Zelena Japka offers a range of carefully selected products that are friendly to humans, animals and nature. In addition to being free of plastic packaging, the products and raw materials are distinguished by the fact that they are organic, produced on the principle of fair trade, are free of palm oil, do not contain animal products and are not tested on animals. Find out more at:: https://www.visitmaribor.si/en/discover/maribor-green-destination/ and https://www.visitmaribor.si/si/informacije/druge-informacije/10101-
• Developing the city through the eyes of tourists & citizens
  Copenhagen is Denmark’s largest student city: their energy, wealth of ideas and contribution to the community, make Copenhagen a vibrant and lively and the students are invited to contribute to development of the city. In March 2021, the City of Copenhagen, the University of Copenhagen’s sustainability lab and Wonderful Copenhagen hosted the Copenhagen Sustainability Challenge. In the 24-hour case-challenge, students from 19 different nationalities and 10 universities came together to solve challenges concerning the development of sustainable tourism in Copenhagen and the Greater Copenhagen area with a special emphasis on green tourism mobility and sustainable behaviour. The results of the case- challenge presented a variety of exiting ideas concerning the development of sustainable tourism, that the city of Copenhagen will consider going forward.Find out more at: https://ie.ku.dk/nyheder/2021/students-solve-sustainability-issues-together/
• Green Corridor Reforestation
  To mitigate and adapt to climate change by reducing CO2 emissions and their effects, Palma has instigated a campaign to reforest their urban landscape and has installed prominent signage containing live, real time updated information with how many trees have been planted to date. Together with the Green Corridor project, the city aims to help the recovery of green areas in the urban city centre as well as help combat the effects of climate change namely rising temperatures by offering a natural cooling of the city through the regeneration of the trees in Palma. Find out more at: https://www.majorcadailybulletin.com/news/local/2016/12/27/46432/green-corridor-for-temperature-reduction-planned-for-palma.html
• Green labels for the city – Old Vine House
  The Maribor Tourist Board in cooperation with local partners decided to apply Maribor as the green destination of Slovenia and has come up with a detailed action plan with laid-out environmental goals. One of the institutions implementing the action plan and serving as a green label example is the Old Vine House that in 2020 was awarded the Green Key ecolabel by the National office in Slovenia. For obtaining the certificate, the provider must meet 13 criteria of evaluation, ranging from environmental management, guest information, waste and water management, energy efficiency to staff engagement and other criteria. In 2021, the Old Vine House was also awarded the Slovenia Green Attraction logo.Find out more at: https://kongres-magazine.eu/2020/10/old-vine-house-maribor-awarded-the-green-key-eco-label-certificate/and https://www.visitmaribor.si/en/what-to-do/wine-and-culinary/old-vine-house/
• How taxation can lower the carbon footprint of tourism
  In order to incorporate the tourism sector and its effect on climate change the city of Palma as part of the Balearic Islands has begun enforcing a “sustainable tourism tax” on its visitors. The tax is the used to protect and preserve the Islands natural resources as well as invest in scientific research, training, and employment, especially in Palam. By including the visitor in the solution of the carbon footprint generated by the tourism sector is an inclusive way of sharing the responsibility of helping nature in a tourist destination. Find out more at: http://www.ecotasa.es
• Majolika factory mugs and Refill program for more climate friendliness
  The Majolika manufactory is supporting the city in reducing waste of material like disposable coffee cups by designing trendy porcelain vessels or mugs – at the same time the products are supposed to shine as iconic objects of identification or souvenirs. Karlsruhe’s drinking water – whether from wells or from the tap in hotels - has also been made available in a 100% climate-neutral way since 2018. More than 50 volunteer retailers also participate in the Refill program by offering visitors free refills of drinking vessels they bring with them with tap water. Find out more at: https://majolika-karlsruhe.de/en/
• Repurposing riverbeds into new urban spaces for residence and tourists
  The city of València has a strong proven track record of integrating sustainable urban planning. The Turia Gardens offer some examples of the city of València strengthening their ecological ties to the natural resources and the integration of old natural structures into their urban planning. The old Turia Gardens is one of the largest urban parks in Spain spanning 9km of green footpaths, leisure and sports areas as well as paths suitable for cyclists. Built on the old riverbed of the river Turia which was diverted to prevent flooding, the Turia Gardens offer a prime example of integrating natural resources into the urban planning of a city. By doing so the city has created a sustainable alternative and green areas for local flora to grow and provide shade as well as open, green leisure areas for the residents and visitors alike.Find out more at: https://www.visitvalencia.com/en/what-to-do-valencia/nature-in-valencia/parks-and-gardens-valencia/turia-gardens
• SEADRION PROJECT
  Emissions related to energy used for heating and cooling of buildings can be significantly reduced with technologies which use renewable energy sources and have high efficiency. Taking this into consideration, the SEADRION project aims to support the development of a regional innovation system for the Adriatic-Ionian area with the installation of 3 renewable energy facilities in the public buildings located in Greece and western and south part of Adriatic Croatia, one of them in Dubrovnik. This project pursues fostering diffusion of heating & cooling technologies using the seawater pump in the Adriatic-Ionian Region. As part of DURA’s project “Seadrion” co-financed by the European Program for International Cooperation, Interreg ADRION 2014-2020, the existing technical heating and cooling system in the Rector’s Palace was replaced.Find out more at: https://seadrion.adrioninterreg.eu/?fbclid=IwAR3Ui6N7JbIsrmUTKi2Y6UtnzQMZ4uCCPKI5oq0iH8Bq7DSA973iL6Rj7jE
• ‘Art Kamp’ festival as an example of Zero Waste Events
  The family festival Art Kamp takes place every summer in the Maribor City Park. Since 2017, the organizers of the festival are committed to a vision: a festival without waste that is achieved with the help of the national Zero waste organization for Slovenia - Ecologists without Borders. In 2019, the organizers managed to collect 93 percent of waste separately and at the same time halve the total amount. Thanks to the implemented measures, the Art Kamp has become one of the two Slovenian “zero waste” events, which are considered an example of good practice both at home and abroad. It is also planned that other events will also join the zero-waste events initiative, such as the Ceremonial Harvest of the World’s Oldest Vine and St. Martin’s Day in Maribor. Find out more at: https://www.visitmaribor.si/en/discover/maribor-green-destination/ and https://www.visitmaribor.si/en/what-to-do/events-and-shows/calendar-of-events/5951-
• Sustainable attractions
  Cultural sites and festivals can act as catalysts for sustainable development when bringing people together around big and small experiences. The ‘Aarhus Sustainability Model’ for sustainable development includes a guide and examples to bring sustainability into a European context across the cultural sectors. For example, NorthSide, Denmark’s most sustainable festival, takes place in Aarhus, and the organisers of the event have ensured green solutions for everything, from food and dealing with waste to power supply based on 100% green electricity. The festival’s sustainability programme ‘Lead the Way’ governs decisions about procurement, investment, collaborators, interior design, resource management, transport, charity and the supply of organic food and beverages throughout the festival. Likewise, Aarhus’ Moesgaard Museum is one of the world’s most energy-efficient museums, built with sustainability in mind from the start, including building materials and an optimal use of daylight, decreasing overall energy consumption and water waste. The green roof of the museum contributes to decreasing the energy consumption of the building and reduces the overall need for cooling due to decreased heat absorption.Find out more at: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/55220233/aarhus-sustainability-model
• Athens Green Business Toolkit
  Athens is conducting a destination assessment in partnership with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council to gain a better picture of how heat and climate change could impact tourism across the public and private sector. Stakeholder interviews and workshops help to address responsible tourism with hotels, food & beverage services, tour providers, and stakeholders across the local industry. Meanwhile the Athens Green Business Toolkit mobilizes financing for small businesses to upgrade the appearance and energy efficiency of their storefronts, helping to enhance perceptions about sustainability, urban well-being, and innovation.Find out more at: https://www.athina984.gr/en/2021/04/26/o-dimos-athinaion-chrimatodotei-tis-athinaikes-epicheiriseis-me-stocho-tin-energeiaki-toys-anavathmisi/
• An accessible and climate-neutral airport
  The Ängelholm Helsingborg Airport aims to be one of Sweden’s leading airports in terms of climate and sustainability. The whole world can be reached from the airport via Stockholm, with regular daily departures available. The airport has prioritised the reduction of its CO2 emissions for many years is about to become climate-neutral by 2022. Becoming a climate-neutral airport was made possible by the Airport Carbon Accreditation scheme which Ängelholm Helsingborg Airport will complete by 2022. Some examples of how the airport’s CO2 emissions have been reduced include in-house solar power, climate-smart heating from recycled energy, charging stations for electric cars, LED-lighting, solar-powered plane steps and in-house energy-effective plane heating. Moreover, all of the airport’s vehicles are powered by electricity or are 100% fossil-free fuel. The planes are powered by mixed bio-aviation fuel reducing their emissions by up to 80%. Find out more at: https://www.angelholmhelsingborgairport.se/2020/12/10/fly-green-fund-levererar-drygt-15-ton-bioflygbransle-till-angelholm-helsingborg-airport/ and https://flygreenfund.se/agh/
• Changer Cargo Bike (CCCB)
  The use of cargo bicycles across EU cities has proven to be a very successful model for solving the problem of unloading cargo, especially in their pedestrian zones. As part of the EU pilot project City Changer Cargo Bike (CCCB), the City of Dubrovnik procured four electric cargo bikes. They were presented to the public together with the advantages of their use in the historic centre, where the pilot project is being implemented, and where the use of such bicycles for delivery could make everyday life easier for caterers, traders, delivery services and citizens. Through this project, the CCCB wants to demonstrate the benefits of the solution, raise awareness in the public and private sectors, reduce pollution and congestion with motor vehicles, and improve the safety and use of public areas. Find out more at: https://civitas.eu/projects/city-changer-cargo-bike
• Exploration through Poetry
  The “Silent Play per Dante” projects visitors straight into the poetry of Dante Alighieri. Accompanied by an engaging narrative voice visitors can visit some of the symbolic places of the city while listening to some of Dante’s most famous lines. Find out more at: https://www.ravennaexperience.it/it/activity/299415/silent-play-per-dante-visita-guidata-immersiva
• FeelFlorence Platform
  The FeelFlorence platform has dedicated sections on barrier-free tourism, cultural itineraries, guided tours, events, fairs, markets, and facilities. Thanks to their qualified staff, All Infopoints ensure assistance in more than 5 foreign languages and International Sign Language via frontend and call centre service. Moreover, Professional Tourist and Environmental Guides are available, each of them a specialist in their field and constantly trained in courses organised by Municipality of Florence, Chamber of Commerce, business associations, etc. Appropriate tours and experiences are elaborated with the precise aim to include different types of tourists and city users. The complete museums system is equipped with technology designed to meet different needs from various target groups.Find out more at: https://www.feelflorence.it
• Locations with wheelchair ramps
  Both Tourist Information Centres in Ljubljana have wheelchair ramps at the entrance and the Slovenian Tourist Centre has installed lower counters for easier interaction with people on wheelchairs. The city of Ljubljana has started with the project of setting up mobile wheelchair ramps (10 in 2021) in front of restaurants and shops in the historical city centre, thus improving the accessibility at that destination. Further wheelchair-accessible locations can be found on the ‘Ljubljana by Wheelchair’ app that gives advice on more than 130 locations (restaurants, accommodation, shops, accessible toilets, sights etc.). The city also offers playgrounds for children with disabilities and many of them include training stations for the elderly. Ljubljana was awarded the Accessible Tourism Joint Award 2016 for its accomplishments in traffic safety for children and people with disabilities.Find out more at: https://www.ljubljanabywheelchair.com and https://www.visitljubljana.com/en/visitors/travel-information/essentials/accessibility-of-ljubljana-by-wheelchair/
• Assisting beachgoers to get to their destination
  La Concha beach offers an assisted bathing service for the elder or for people with a disability who want to experience the joys of going into the sea. In addition, the beach comes with an audio guide that helps visitors get to know the beach through an aural medium. Find out more at: https://www.sansebastianturismoa.eus/en/to-do/beach-parks/let-s-go-to-the-beach
• Assistance to those with autism
  DAA knows 1% of passengers have reduced mobility challenges and is leading the way in accessible travel by establishing a Disability Users Group, comprising representatives from a broad range of organisations catering for individuals with specific disabilities. Decisions relating to future developments are discussed with diverse groups with specific needs. For example, DAA has co-designed and implemented ‘important flyer wristbands and lanyards’ so that passengers with Autism could self-identify as needing additional help. The wristband can be shown to any Dublin Airport staff member at security or passport control or any area where help is required, enhancing the visitor experience to the airport and city. Additionally, DAA provides a sensory room to calm passengers who might feel overwhelmed in a busy airport. Designed for passengers with autism, dementia, cognitive impairment, or other special needs the room has been very successful. Among other innovations are an assistance dog relief room, and induction loop amplification points around the airport for passengers with hearing difficulties. In 2020 DAA and Hack Access held an accessibility hackathon focused on improving the customer experience for passengers with accessibility challenges. In 2019, the DAA mobility assistance provider conducted over 340,000 interactions. It is planned the success of the programme will now be replicated in other international airports.Find out more at: http://www.dublinairport.com/at-the-airport/help-and-support/travelling-with-autismhttps://www.dublinairport.com/at-the-airport/help-and-support/sensory-room/sensory-room
• Accessible transport system
  Bordeaux’s public transport network is 100% wheelchair accessible, thanks to large sliding doors, step-free access and reserved spaces. In the city, the creation of a pedestrian GR-accredited circuit follows the same dynamic. The network of footpaths runs for 160 km through the suburbs and green spaces. It is easily accessible via public transport and well-signposted. The circuit provides a diverse range of landscapes and experiences and constitutes high-quality local tourism that is open to all. It is even possible to stay in a natural space for free in “suburban refuges”, some of which are veritable works of art, not just quirky accommodation options. Find out more at: https://www.infotbm.com/en/accessibilite.html https://www.infotbm.com/en/practical-information/accessibility.html
• Dedicated accessible tour through the city
  Padua has designed an accessible tourist itinerary, especially for those with physical disabilities. The tour includes a 2.5 km route that can be done on foot or with mobility aids such as wheelchairs.
• Inclusion and access for everybody to cultural attractions
  The city offers wide access and creates incentives for people from all social and economic backgrounds to partake in its tourism and cultural offerings. Targeted people marketing serves to support the development of differentiated offers such as vacation packages, events or cultural highlights for people of all ages. Especially in the cultural sector, Karlsruhe strives to provide inclusive offerings so that, for instance, financially less well-off citizens can visit museums free of charge every Friday afternoon. The Oberwald Zoo also offers a free insight into the biodiversity of numerous wild animals in their natural habitat. The Grötzingen indoor swimming pool is another recreational opportunity offered for free in daily operation. Large events like DAS FEST are subsidized to encourage and ensure cultural participation for all citizens and guests and many museums offer alternative tours for people with walking or visual disabilities. Due to Karlsruhe’s location close to France and Switzerland, many exhibitions are multilingual and deliberately aim to address an international audience.
• From the Den Gamle By (The Old Town)
  an open-air museum dedicated to the urban history and culture in Denmark through three centuries, to the ARoS Museum of Art, which ‘Rainbow Panorama’ makes ARoS one of the most popular contemporary art museums in Scandinavia, the museums in Aarhus present history innovatively in a breath-taking architectural setting. Aahus is home to some of the most impressive and popular museums in Denmark, most of them located in beautiful surroundings overlooking the forest and the sea. Likewise, the city is known as a gastronomic powerhouse that in 2017 was awarded the permanent, honorary title of European Region of Gastronomy.Find out more at: https://www.europeanregionofgastronomy.org/platform/aarhus-central-denmark-2017/
• The Modernist Centre of Gdynia
  a port city located on the Baltic Sea, is unique as a heritage site of European town planning and architecture in which the ideals of Modernism have been confronted with the changing needs of a growing city and port, in consequence creating a place with a clearly modern character but at the same time without any doctrinaire traits. It is a typical starting point for tourist routes that make up the Gdynia Modernism Route. Gdynia Modernism provides excellent examples of industrial, port and residential buildings, including villas, but also the silhouettes of streamlined blocks, bringing to mind the ship architecture. 450 modernist buildings are currently included in the Gdynia Modernism Route. The buildings open their doors during cyclical events including the ‘Open House Gdynia’, ‘the Weekend of Architecture’ or the ‘Modernism in Gdynia – Modernism in Europe’ conferences.Find out more at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/6431/
• Do better with less
  Such is the essence of the Darwin Ecosystem, a collective geared towards a green economy, now one of the most visited sites in Bordeaux. This former military barracks is home to an urban farm, the largest organic restaurant in France, plus its organic delicatessen, all showing a way of “consuming differently”. It’s a place of diversity and innovation where you can find skateparks, an open-air gallery for graffiti artists, as well as co-working spaces and entrepreneurs working in the green economy. The place is also committed to welcoming refugees and hosts a second-hand boutique.Find out more at: https://www.bordeaux-tourism.co.uk/sites-monuments/darwin-alternative-and-inspiring-urban-ecosystem