Two Irish cities shortlisted for major European tourism award

The Irish represent a third of the shortlisted cities.

The shortlist is in for the European Capital of Smart Tourism competition 2024, and not one, but two Irish cities feature on this six location list. Dublin and Cork both nabbed a spot due to their sustainability efforts and levels of cultural engagement, sitting alongside the likes of Bremerhaven in Germany, Genoa in Italy, Helsinborg in Sweden, and San Sebastián in Spain. You can check out the reasons behind their shortlist positions right here.

Dublin

Dublin's fair city nabbed a spot on the shortlist include its universal accessibility, its commitment to sustainability, and the level of cultural engagement in the city. Smart Tourism said of the Liffey-side city:

"The bustling Irish capital is the fifth largest transport hub in Europe. Before the pandemic in 2019, tourism supported 68,000 jobs while the city welcome 8.6 million visitors, bringing €2.6 billion in tourist spend. To ensure a successful and sustainable future, Dublin has implemented a strategic smart tourism programme that brings together community, technology and innovation to co-create and transform the traditional tourism experience."

Exterior of the Temple Bar pub in Dublin city, image via Getty 

Cork

Cork was shortlisted due to its pioneering spirit in relation to ambitious sustainability goals, its welcoming and inclusive nature, as well as its consistent showcasing of its heritage. Speaking about the oft-nicknamed Real Capital, the Smart Tourism team wrote:

"Cork takes pride in its commitment to smart urban development and sustainability. With a diverse range of accolades and initiatives, Cork exemplifies how a city can seamlessly integrate responsible practices into its tourism model and daily life."

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