EU Smart Tourism Podcast

In this episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast, we explore how the EU is helping destinations across Europe make tourism more sustainable and resilient. Misa Labarile, Policy Officer at the European Commission, DG GROW, is joined by Marlène Bartès also Policy Officer at the European Commission to discuss the Sustainable EU Tourism Project, which connects destinations to share practical solutions for challenges like reducing environmental impact, supporting local economies, and preserving cultural heritage.   Learn about the 50 best practices selected from over 300 case studies and discover how destinations like Majorca (Spain), the Azores (Portugal), and Montafon (Austria) are leading the way with replicable initiatives. Plus, get a sneak peek at upcoming workshops, webinars, and resources designed to foster collaboration and innovation in sustainable tourism.   For more information and to explore best practices from EU destinations, visit the #SustainableEUTourism website: www.europa.eu/!B9HpWf

In this episode, we explore the key element driving the future of tourism - data. We take a closer look at how cities are using data to enhance their tourism offer, manage visitor flows and create targeted campaigns. Misa Labarile, Policy Officer at the European Commission, DG GROW, together with experts on the topic, discuss how cities are using data beyond collecting numbers and how it can be used for story-telling alongside preserving cultural heritage and even contributing to sustainability. Speakers: Siobhán Daly: expert on responsible tourism management and sustainable tourism.Helena Egan: expert on tourism digitalisation, CEO and co-founder of the consultancy Planet Egan. Host: Misa Labarile, Policy Officer of the European Commission, DG GROW. Find out more about smart tourism and the #EUTourismCapital and #EUGreenPioneer competitions at the initiative website: https://smart-tourism-capital.ec.europa.eu/

In this episode, we dive into the latest innovations in smart public transport, bike-sharing, and real-time traffic management, explore how these advancements are making cities more accessible and sustainable. Misa Labarile, Policy Officer at the European Commission, DG GROW, together with experts on the topic, discuss the challenges policymakers face in this rapidly evolving field and highlight unique schemes that enhance the experiences of both tourists and residents. Join us as we take a closer look at the future of urban mobility in tourism and discover how these cutting-edge solutions are shaping our cities. Speakers: Nick Hall: Leading industry expert on digital tourism and founder of the Digital Tourism Think Tank.Evelina Castro: Marketing strategist, city of Helsingborg, Sweden. Host: Misa Labarile, Policy Officer of the European Commission, DG GROW. Find out more about smart tourism and the #EUTourismCapital and #EUGreenPioneer competitions at the initiative website: https://smart-tourism-capital.ec.europa.eu/

Smart gets you further - Off-season Tourism In the twelfth episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast, we discuss the importance of off-season tourism and the benefits of promoting travelling during the low season. As seasonal tourism has a negative impact not only on the environment, but also on local communities and the employment landscape, more destinations are recognising the need to promote tourism all year round.  Misa Labarile, Policy Officer at the European Commission, DG GROW, together with experts on the topic, explore opportunities for EU destinations to leverage off-season experiences and ways to encourage visitors to return later in the year.  Speakers: Prof. Xavier Font: professor of sustainability marketing at the University of Surrey, the UK.Evelina Castro: marketing strategist, city of Helsingborg, Sweden.Mieke Renders: heritage specialist, rural regeneration and urban initiatives consultant, Sweden. Host: Misa Labarile, Policy Officer of the European Commission, DG GROW. Find out more about smart tourism and the #EUTourismCapital and #EUGreenPioneer competitions at the initiative website: https://smart-tourism-capital.ec.europa.eu/   Show notes: Find out more about the EU-funded project on experiential tourism extending the tourism season: https://www.tourismexperience.org/

Smart gets you further - Your Guide to Success in Smart Tourism Competitions In the eleventh episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast, we are celebrating the launch of the 2025 European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism competitions and looking back at previous winners and their success stories. Misa Labarile, Policy Officer at the European Commission, DG GROW together with representatives of previous winner cities, discuss the best practices and initiatives implemented in smart tourism categories of accessibility, sustainability, digitalisation and cultural heritage and creativity. Speakers: Edouard Deteyssiere: Tourism office of Bordeaux Metropol.Julie Benisty Oviedo: Sustainable tourism manager of Bordeaux tourism and convention office.Morten Westergaard: Climate manager, Middelfart Municipality.Henna Siltanen: Senior advisor in Smart Tourism and Digital Development at the Tourism and Destination Management Unit at the City of Helsinki.Jennifer Hohmann: Tourism officer, Culture department, Karlsruhe Tourism. Host: Misa Labarile, Policy Officer of the European Commission, DG GROW Find out more about smart tourism and the #EUTourismCapital and #EUGreenPioneer competitions at the initiative website: https://smart-tourism-capital.ec.europa.eu/

Smart gets you further - The 2024 European Capital & Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism winners In the tenth episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast, we are introducing and celebrating the winners of the 2024 European Capital & Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism - Dublin (Ireland) and Grosseto (Italy). We will have a look at Dublin’s transformation into a smart tourism destination and Grosseto’s sustainable and slow tourism approach. Misa Labarile, Policy Officer at the European Commission, DG GROW together with representatives of the winner cities, discuss the importance of the award and showcase the winning cities' achievements in smart tourism. Speakers: Barry Rogers: Head of Dublin City Tourism Unit, IrelandValentina Mecacci: Tourism Office, Municipality of Grosseto, Italy Host: Misa Labarile, Policy Officer of the European Commission, DG GROW Find out more about smart tourism and the #EUTourismCapital & #EUGreenPioneer competitions at the initiative website: https://smart-tourism-capital.ec.europa.eu/

Smart gets you further - skills that make smart tourism destinations thrive. In the ninth episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast, we are looking at the most important skills in the tourism industry today. From digital literacy to standout customer service and cultural insight - the skills landscape is constantly changing and evolving. Misa Labarile, Policy Officer at the European Commission, DG GROW together with professors and experts of the topic, discuss the most essential skills required to stay relevant and indispensable in the tourism industry. Speakers: Julieta Medina: expert of smart tourism, tourism intelligence, and digitalisation.Katarina Thorstensson: head of sustainability, Göteborg & Co, smart tourism strategist, DMO, Gothenburg, Sweden.Prof. Aurkene Alzua: PhD in tourism, Professor at the University of Duesto and Nebrija University, Spain.Prof. Giuseppe Aliperti: Professor at the University of Duesto, Spain. Host: Misa Labarile, Policy Officer of the European Commission, DG GROW Find out more about smart tourism and the #EUTourismCapital and #EUGreenPioneer competitions at the initiative website: https://smart-tourism-capital.ec.europa.eu/

Smart gets you further – New and Emerging Technologies In the eighth episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast, we are talking about new and emerging technologies and the way they are shaping the future of tourism. Misa Labarile, Policy Officer at the European Commission, DG GROW together with experts of the topic discuss the innovative ways destinations are using technologies in smart tourism. Speakers: Prof. Edoardo Colombo: tourism innovation expert specialising in digital transformation, Italy.Henna Siltanen: senior advisor in Smart Tourism and Digital Development at the Tourism and Destination Management Unit, Helsinki, Finland.Federico Rollán: Smart Tourism Office, Seville, Spain. Host: Misa Labarile, Policy Officer of the European Commission, DG GROW. Find out more about smart tourism and the #EUTourismCapital and #EUGreenPioneer competitions at the initiative website: https://smart-tourism-capital.ec.europa.eu/

Smart gets you further - Co-creation and Smart Tourism Governance In the seventh episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast, we are looking at the importance of effective co-creation and collaboration in smart tourism.  Misa Labarile, Policy Officer at the European Commission, DG GROW together with cities’ representatives, professors and experts of the topic discuss why collaboration is fundamental to tourism and how to make it easier and more successful.  Speakers: Prof. Dimitrios Buhalis: Expert on digitalisation and smart tourism and director of e-tourism lab at Bournemouth University, United KingdomProf. Joan-Carles Cambrils: Experts on tourism, Department of Economics and Social Sciences, Polytechnic University of Valencia, SpainCamille Lenoble: Marketing Director and Communication Director at Only Lyon tourism bureau, France Host: Misa Labarile, Policy Officer of the European Commission, DG GROW Find out more about smart tourism and the #EUTourismCapital and #EUGreenPioneer competitions at the initiative website: https://smart-tourism-capital.ec.europa.eu/

Smart gets you further – The new European Capital & Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism competitions In the sixth episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast, we are turning the spotlight on the recently launched European Capital & Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism competitions and the experience of winning cities so far. Misa Labarile, Policy Officer at the European Commission, DG GROW discusses with  current and past winners how they approached the competition and how the awards opened new opportunities for cities to better establish themselves as pionners in smart and sustainable tourism. Speakers: Janez Černe: Deputy mayor of the city of Kranj (Slovenia)Nasos Hadjigeorgiou: Executive manager of the Pafos Regional Board of Tourism (Cyprus)Joan-Carles Cambrils: Deputy of the Visit Valencia Foundation (Spain) Host: Misa Labarile, Policy Officer of the European Commission, DG GROW Find out more about smart tourism and the #EUTourismCapital and #EUGreenPioneer competitions at the initiative website: https://smart-tourism-capital.ec.europa.eu/

Smart gets you further – Cultural Heritage and Tourism In the fifth episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast, we are looking at the creative integration of cultural heritage into the smart tourism experience. Misa Labarile, Policy Officer at the European Commission, DG GROW discusses with past finalists of the competition as well as leading tourism policy experts the interest tourists take in exploring the cultural heritage of a place and  how smart tourism tools can become particularly useful. Speakers: Eleonora Lorenzini: Director at Osservatori Digital Innovation, Tourism and Arts & Cultural Heritage Observatories (Italy)Jennifer Hohmann: Tourism Officer, Department of Culture, Karlsruhe (Germany)Andreas Nutz: IT, Digitalisation, Data & Project Management, Linz (Austria) Host: Misa Labarile, Policy Officer of the European Commission, DG GROW   Find out more about smart tourism and the #EUTourismCapital competition at the initiative website: https://smart-tourism-capital.ec.europa.eu/

Smart gets you further - Accessible and Inclusive Tourism In this fourth episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast, we dive into the world of accessible smart tourism practices in Europe, the measures implemented and the people behind them taking a step further towards accessibility for all. In this episode, Misa Labarile, Policy Officer at the European Commission, DG GROW discusses with past winners of the competition as well as leading accessibility tourism policy experts how accessibility and inclusivity can be achieved and be a driving force towards smart tourism. Speakers: Wouter Schvelis: Breda Market Manager, Breda (The Netherlands) Julie Benisty-Oviedo: Sustainable Tourism Manager, Bordeaux (France) Margaret Tokarska: Expert on Accessible Tourism (Poland) Host: Misa Labarile, Policy Officer of the European Commission, DG GROW   Find out more about smart tourism and the #EUTourismCapital competition at the initiative websitehttps://smart-tourism-capital.ec.europa.eu/

In this third episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast, we explore the digital space in smart tourism and begin to ask: what drives this digital move, how does it find implementation and what does this mean for the future of European tourism? In this episode Misa Labarile, Policy Officer at the European Commission, DG GROW discusses with past winners of the competition as well as cities within the EU Smart Tourism network about how digitalisation can enhance and drive innovation in the tourism industry.  Speakers: Prof. Dimitrios Buhalis: expert on digitalisation and smart tourism at Bournemouth University, United KingdomDejan Ristić: Project Manager at Ljubljana Tourism (Slovenia)Jukka Punamaki: Senior Tourism Advisor, Helsinki (Finland) Host: Misa Labarile, Policy Officer of the European Commission, DG GROW Find out more about smart tourism and the #EUTourismCapital competition at the initiative website

In this second episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast we take our next steps into the world of sustainble smart tourism practices in Europe, the innovations and the people behind them who are driving the European tourism industry towards a greener form of tourism.  In this episode Misa Labarile, Policy Officer at the European Commission, DG GROW discusses the 2022 European Destination of Excellence #EDEN  Middelfart (Denmark) as well as other leading sustainable tourism policy experts how to become a more sustainable tourism destination and why this is not only important but also manageable.   Speakers: Prof. Xavier Font: expert on sustainable tourism at the University of Surrey, United KingdomBarry Rogers: Smart Tourism Manager, Dublin (Ireland)Morten Mejsen Westergaard: Head of Climate, Middelfart (Denmark)Katarina Thorstensson: Head of Sustainability, Gothenburg & Co. (Sweden)   Host: Misa Labarile, Policy Officer of the European Commission, DG GROW Find out more about smart tourism and the #EUTourismCapital competition at the initiative website  http://SmartTourismCapital.eu

In this first episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast we take our first steps into the world of smart tourism practices in Europe, the innovations behind the future of tourism and the driving competition that cities across Europe apply for to become the next European Capital of Smart Tourism.  In this episode Misa Labarile, Policy Officer at the European Commission, DG GROW discusses with the #EUTourismCapitals 2022 València and Bordeaux and other leading tourism policy experts how to become a smart tourism destination and why smart tourism matters. Speakers:•Joan Carles Cambrils Camarena, Sub-director general, Visit Valencia •Olivier Occelli, CEO Bordeaux Metropole Tourism and Congress Office •Julie Benisty, Sustainable Tourism Project Manager Bordeaux Metropole Tourism and Congress Office •Brigitte Bloch, City Councillor in charge of tourism and the wine economy, Vice-president of Bordeaux metropole in charge of tourism, events and metropolitan facilities, President of the OTCBM •István Újhelyi, Member of the European Parliament, Vice-Chair of TRAN Committee on Transport and Tourism Host: Misa Labarile, Policy Officer of the European Commission, DG GROW Find out more about how to apply to the 2023 #EUTourismCapital competition at the initiative website  http://SmartTourismCapital.eu