The city is committed to intensive training and meetings with other destinations to disseminate and share good practices
Benidorm debuts at Fitur its European title of Green Pioneer destination for Smart Tourism 2025
Throughout the year, actions will be carried out to promote this distinction awarded by the European Commission that recognizes the sustainability of the planning and management of Benidorm
Benidorm has officially launched its title of ‘Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism 2025’ destination at the International Tourism Fair in Madrid, Fitur, recently awarded by the European Commission in recognition of the city’s exceptional commitment to shaping the future of sustainable and innovative tourism. At a press conference, the mayor, Toni Pérez, revealed the programming and actions planned throughout the year linked to this distinction, which Benidorm has achieved in the category of municipalities with fewer than 100,000 inhabitants.
“At Fitur, the first major tourist event of the year worldwide, we are kicking off the programming to promote this award and to make known at a European level the milestones and good practices that have made Benidorm win this recognition and which show that by efficient management a destination like ours, with more than 16 million overnight stays annually, can be synonymous with caring for the territory and its resources,” he said.
Toni Pérez has highlighted that “it is a programme with workshops and specific events to promote the sustainability of our tourism model not only in Spain but in the rest of Europe, encouraging the exchange of experiences and success stories with other destinations that have previously received this distinction”.
Thus, Benidorm is expected to participate in the Spain Talks that Turespaña organises in various European cities and in which some other data will be presented that confirm the sustainability of the destination, such as its 9.5 kilometres of pedestrian streets, more than 130 kilometres of bicycle lanes, the reduction in water consumption by 18% in the last 25 years despite the increase in the population by 40% and the increase in tourist overnight stays by 26%, or the 172 hectares of posidonia in its bay, capable of generating more than 3,600 tonnes of oxygen.
At these tourism events, “we will be able to showcase the work and commitment of a city and a destination that has protected more than 60% of its territory, that has one of the most efficient drinking water networks on the planet, that has multiplied its green surface area; and that has relied on technology and innovation to improve the tourist experience, increase the quality of life of its residents and become more resilient to climate change every day.”
A ‘Bootcamp’ will also be held with cities that have preceded Benidorm as a ‘Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism’ destination in previous years or that have received the ‘European Capital of Smart Tourism’ recognition, which is also awarded by the European Community and which this year has been awarded to Turin in the category of cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants. “The intention – he said – is to share success stories and see how the solutions adopted in these destinations can be replicated in others; learn from each other and work together for a tourist activity that promotes social, economic and environmental sustainability.”
The official award ceremony will take place on February 20 with the installation of a commemorative sculpture that will be displayed in the city throughout the year.
The mayor has announced that “in this work of promotion and enhancement of the ‘Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism’ we are going to work hand in hand with the public and private sectors, not only with Visit Benidorm Foundation, but also involving the entire chain of our tourism: accommodation and other establishments will participate in this campaign.”
In addition, Benidorm will promote the title ‘Green Pioneer’ in the academic field and at the different national and international fairs of the year; at the same time that the major congresses and professional meetings that take place in the city throughout the year, such as the Digital Tourist or the Benimov fair, will reserve spaces and themes that will address the scope and implications of the ‘Green Pioneer’ distinction and the promotion of sustainability.
Online training and workshops will also be held to disseminate good practices in global sustainability and work will be done with content creators aligned with environmental protection and sustainability.
