This summit is part of the actions being developed this year for recognition as a Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism in 2025
Benidorm showcases its transformation as a sustainable and innovative urban destination to other leading EU cities
The international delegation was received by Mayor Toni Pérez, who argued that well-managed tourism does not pose any problems for destinations
The city of Benidorm is currently hosting a summit of leading European sustainability destinations. Over the course of three days, they will gain an in-depth understanding of the so-called Benidorm model and the actions taken in the municipality to transform urban tourism through sustainability, innovation, digitalisation, accessibility, and inclusive governance. Mayor Toni Pérez received this European delegation today in the City Hall's Plenary Hall, where he welcomed them and expressed his hope that these days will serve as a means of sharing experiences and knowledge.
The visit to these destinations in Benidorm is part of the initiatives being carried out this year, following the city's designation as a Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism by 2025 by the European Commission. This recognition rewards innovative strategies by destinations that work to minimise the environmental impact of tourism while optimising the experience for visitors and residents.
Among the cities participating in this initiative are destinations that have been awarded or shortlisted in previous editions by the European Commission for their high sustainability indicators, such as Ravenna (Germany), Karlsruhe (Germany), Liepāja (Latvia), Grosseto (Italy), Breda (Netherlands), Ljubljana (Slovenia), Helsinki (Finland), Seville, Panevėžys (Lithuania), Valongo (Portugal), and Dublin (Ireland).
Together with the director of the Visit Benidorm Foundation, Leire Bilbao, and the Councillor for the Presidency, Juan Díaz, the mayor explained to the representatives of all these cities the alliance between the City Council and the Foundation to achieve objectives for the benefit of the city. He also shared some of Benidorm's key indicators, such as its registered population of 75,000, the fact that no fewer than 180,000 people sleep in the city every day, and its population can multiply by up to six times during peak occupancy dates, with the sum of the four types of people served: registered residents, non-registered residents, tourists, and visitors.
"Being a Green Pioneer posed many challenges for us, including conveying the reality of a city where tourism contributes and that tourism doesn't necessarily pose any problems for cities when it's well managed," said Toni Pérez. He also recalled one of the slogans Benidorm has coined in recent years to exemplify this idea: "We won't be the best city to come to if we're not the best city to live in," before going on to defend tourism as "the industry of happiness."
Finally, he gave them a preview of some of the aspects they will learn about throughout their stay in the city, such as the efficient water management implemented by Dinapsis; data collection, analysis, and application in decision-making through the municipal Smart Office and the Smart Tourism Platform; and the urban sustainability, mobility, and accessibility strategies implemented, among others. During their stay, they will also be able to explore the Serra Gelada Natural Park, the city's panoramic viewpoints, and other iconic locations.
"We want you to learn with us, but we also want to learn from you, because all of your cities have, at some point, inspired Benidorm to see how much we can do to continue improving," he concluded.
