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European Capital of Smart Tourism initiative, including category on Cultural Heritage and Creativity
Published on 12 May 2020
Germany
Karlsruhe
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
The European Capital of Smart Tourism initiative aims to:
- promote the rich tourism offer of European countries and increase citizens’ sentiment of sharing local tourism-related values
- strengthen tourism-generated innovative development in cities, their surroundings and their regions
- increase the attractiveness of European cities that are awarded the title and strengthen economic growth and job creation
- establish a framework for the exchange of best practices between cities participating in the contest and create opportunities for cooperation and new partnerships.
Karlsruhe received 2020 European Smart Tourism Award for outstanding achievements in the 'Cultural heritage and Creativity' category.
Karlsruhe looks to the future with both tradition and innovation in mind and creates new incentives for improving the city for visitors. Impressive Baroque and Wilhelminian landmarks stand side-by-side with modern architecture to create a dynamic metropolis.
Karlsruhe boasts an enormous wealth of cultural offerings and facilities: from art associations to important galleries, major national events, first-class theatres and museums to high culture from opera to ballet. The multicultural diversity and citizen participation throughout Karlsruhe enrich its streets and create living cultural heritage.
Karlsruhe is working on the consolidation and digitalisation of all offers in a unique “digital@KA” app to enhance visitors’ experiences for cultural & creative tourism.
- promote the rich tourism offer of European countries and increase citizens’ sentiment of sharing local tourism-related values
- strengthen tourism-generated innovative development in cities, their surroundings and their regions
- increase the attractiveness of European cities that are awarded the title and strengthen economic growth and job creation
- establish a framework for the exchange of best practices between cities participating in the contest and create opportunities for cooperation and new partnerships.
Karlsruhe received 2020 European Smart Tourism Award for outstanding achievements in the 'Cultural heritage and Creativity' category.
Karlsruhe looks to the future with both tradition and innovation in mind and creates new incentives for improving the city for visitors. Impressive Baroque and Wilhelminian landmarks stand side-by-side with modern architecture to create a dynamic metropolis.
Karlsruhe boasts an enormous wealth of cultural offerings and facilities: from art associations to important galleries, major national events, first-class theatres and museums to high culture from opera to ballet. The multicultural diversity and citizen participation throughout Karlsruhe enrich its streets and create living cultural heritage.
Karlsruhe is working on the consolidation and digitalisation of all offers in a unique “digital@KA” app to enhance visitors’ experiences for cultural & creative tourism.
Resources needed
Staff time or external expertise to document the assets of the candidate city and compile the candidature documents, according to the awards requirements in the 4 categories. About 2 person-months are sufficient to prepare the application.
Ten finalists present their bids to a committee of experts.
Ten finalists present their bids to a committee of experts.
Evidence of success
The aim is to promote innovation to strengthen smart destinations in Europe, to enhance tourism offers for visitors and to facilitate new partnerships, networking and the exchange of best practice. Also to promote the EU’s forward-thinking tourism offer to global audiences and sustainably increase footfall at pioneering destinations that offer unique visitor experiences.
This has been achieved with more than 70 applications submitted by EU cities since 2018, of which 9 cities awarded todate.
This has been achieved with more than 70 applications submitted by EU cities since 2018, of which 9 cities awarded todate.
Potential for learning or transfer
A Compendium of Best Practices has been compiled by the European Commission DG GROW . The selection of best practices has been derived from the 73 applications the cities submitted to the two competitions (2019 and 2020 European Capital of Smart Tourism). The report showcases the selection of best practices in each category (Accessibility, Sustainability, Digitalisation, Cultural heritage and creativity) and presents and relies on the data that the cities have submitted in their applications. Apart from showcasing exemplary practices by cities as tourism destinations in the 4 categories, including Cultural Heritage and Creativity, the European Capital of Smart Tourism (ECoST) initiative aims to establish a framework for the exchange of best practices between cities and creates opportunities for cooperation and new partnerships.
The ECoST best practices form an excellent resource for learning and/or transfer by EU city destinations, in CCT development & promotion based on CCIs.
The ECoST best practices form an excellent resource for learning and/or transfer by EU city destinations, in CCT development & promotion based on CCIs.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
European Commission DG GROW - DG for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs
Belgium
Région de Bruxelles-Capitale/ Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest
Contact
Secretary-General