EU Smart Tourism Podcast

Hosted by The European Capital of Smart Tourism

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Oct 2026

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About the show

The European Capital of Smart Tourism and the European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism are two awards by the European Commission to reward and celebrate bigger and smaller European destinations for outstanding, innovative and sustainable tourism practices. In this podcast series we explore this world of smart tourism and the future of the tourism industry in Europe. What is means to be a smart and sustainable tourism leader, how you can become one and the European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism competitions that are driving the smart tourism innovation in Europe.

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22 recent

October 8, 2026Episode 2223 min

Smart Gets You Further - Smart tourism in small and medium sized cities

Most European cities are small or medium-sized, offering distinct identities and intimate connections between visitors and local life. In this episode, we explore what smart tourism looks like at the scale of smaller urban destinations and how they balance growth and authenticity with insights from three unique destinations: Tartu (Estonia), a vibrant university city leveraging its 2024 European Capital of Culture legacy; Thessaloniki (Greece), a 2,300-year-old living city offering authentic, year-round cultural experiences; and Ghent (Belgium), a quirky Flemish destination proudly embracing its status as a hidden gem. Speakers: Miia Maris Praks: Sustainability Coordinator, Visit Tartu, Estonia Kyriaki Oudatzi: General Director, Thessaloniki Tourism Organisation, Greece Vicky Van Daele: Coordinator of Marketing Communications, Press and MICE, Visit Ghent, Belgium Deborah De Lausnay: Marketing Coordinator, Visit Ghent, Belgium Host: Misa Labarile, Policy Officer of the European Commission, DG MOVE Find out more about smart tourism and the European Capitals of Tourism competition on the initiative website: An EU initiative to reward innovative and smart tourism in European Cities!

September 16, 2026Episode 2121 min

Smart Gets You Further - Hybrid Tourism: blending work, travel and local life

More visitors than ever are arriving with a laptop in their bag. In this episode, we explore hybrid tourism from two angles: Madeira, where a pandemic-era pilot project turned the island into a remote work hotspot and Helsinki, where the goal isn't attracting new visitors but encouraging the ones who already come to stay a little longer. Speakers: Micaela Vieira: Project Manager, Startup Madeira Jenny Taipale: Head of Marketing, Helsinki Partners Host: Misa Labarile, Policy Officer of the European Commission, DG MOVE Find out more about smart tourism and the European Capitals of Tourism competition at the initiative website: https://smart-tourism-capital.ec.europa.eu

March 6, 2026Episode 2016 min

Smart gets you further - The 2026 European Capital & Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism winners

In this episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast, celebrate the winners of the 2026 European Capital & Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism - Tampere (Finland) and Dubrovnik (Croatia). We take a closer look at these two destinations and their shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and long-term resilience. Misa Labarile, Policy Officer at the European Commission, DG MOVE, and representatives of the winning cities discuss how innovative tourism practices have led to their success in the competition and the impact of smart tourism on the cities. Speakers: Heli Jokela: Marketing and Communications Director, Visit Tampere, Finland Mato Franković: Mayor of Dubrovnik, Croatia Host: Misa Labarile, Policy Officer of the European Commission, DG MOVE Find out more about smart tourism and the #EUTourismCapital and #EUGreenPioneer competitions on our website: https://smart-tourism-capital.ec.europa.eu/

December 22, 2025Episode 1918 min

Smart Gets You Further - Building Trust in Online Reviews with the new EU Code of Conduct

Smart Gets You Further – Building Trust in Online Reviews with the new EU Code of Conduct Online reviews shape almost every travel decision we make. But with their growing influence, concerns about their trust and reliability have also grown. In this episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast, we look at how the European Union is tackling these challenges through the EU Code of Conduct for online reviews and ratings for tourism accommodation. We explore why this collaborative framework was created, how it works in practice and what it means for the future of tourism in Europe. Speakers: Thomas Schumi: Policy Officer, European Commission (DG MOVE) Marine Thizon: Senior Public Affairs Manager, HOTREC (Association of hotels, restaurants and cafés in Europe) Fabrizio Orlando: Director of Government Relations and Public Affairs, Tripadvisor Host: Misa Labarile, Policy Officer of the European Commission, DG MOVE. Find out more about smart tourism and the #EUTourismCapital and #EUGreenPioneer competitions at the initiative website: https://smart-tourism-capital.ec.europa.eu/

September 23, 2025Episode 1820 min

Smart Gets You Further - Tourism & Quality of Life

Smart Gets You Further – Tourism & Quality of Life In this episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast, we explore how tourism can be a pathway to happiness and higher quality of life. Misa Labarile, Policy Officer at the European Commission, DG MOVE, together with speakers from Finland and Slovenia, discuss how travel is not only about sightseeing, but also about creating meaningful experiences that foster joy and fulfilment. We also take a look at how tourism is closely tied to the well-being of local communities and how the quality of life of residents and visitor satisfaction go hand in hand. Speakers: Heli Jimenez: Senior Director, International Marketing, Business Finland Dejan Ristić: Project Manager, Ljubljana Tourism Host: Misa Labarile, Policy Officer of the European Commission, DG MOVE. Find out more about smart tourism and the #EUTourismCapital and #EUGreenPioneer competitions at the initiative website: https://smart-tourism-capital.ec.europa.eu/

May 14, 2025Episode 1713 min

Smart Gets You Further - In Conversation with the EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas

Smart Gets You Further – In Conversation with the EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas In this episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast, we have a special opportunity to hear from Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism. As the first Commissioner with a dedicated tourism title, Mr Tzitzikostas discusses the importance of smart and sustainable tourism in Europe, and shares the key priorities of the new EU tourism strategy. Host: Misa Labarile, Policy Officer of the European Commission, DG MOVE Find out more about smart tourism and the #EUTourismCapital & #EUGreenPioneer competitions at the initiative website: https://smart-tourism-capital.ec.europa.eu/

February 28, 2025Episode 1622 min

Smart gets you further - The 2025 European Capital & Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism winners

Smart gets you further - The 2025 European Capital & Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism winners In the new episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast, we are introducing and celebrating the winners of the 2025 European Capital & Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism - Torino (Italy) and Benidorm (Spain). We will have a look at Torino's transformation into a smart tourism destination and Benidorm's sustainable and slow tourism approach. Misa Labarile, Policy Officer at the European Commission, DG MOVE together with representatives of the winner cities, discuss the importance of the award and showcase the winning cities' achievements in smart tourism. Speakers: Maurizio Vitale: Chairman, Turismo Torino e Provincia, Italy Cristina Cerutti, Tourism Monitor Officer, Turismo Torino e Provincia, Italy Leire Bilbao: Managing Director, Visit Benidorm, Spain Host: Misa Labarile, Policy Officer of the European Commission, DG MOVE Find out more about smart tourism and the #EUTourismCapital & #EUGreenPioneer competitions at the initiative website: https://smart-tourism-capital.ec.europa.eu/

December 2, 2024Episode 1516 min

Smart gets you further – EU Destinations Leading in Sustainable Tourism

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

September 20, 2024Episode 1423 min

Smart gets you further - Data-driven Storytelling

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/

June 19, 2024Episode 1331 min

Smart gets you further - Smart Mobility Solutions in Urban Tourism

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/