Benidorm will receive the ‘Green Pioneer’ award from the European Commission on Thursday

The city of Benidorm will receive the ‘Green Pioneer’ award on Thursday 20 February, a recognition made on 27 November. The award ceremony will be presented by representatives of the European Commission, the driving force behind it, at an event that will take place at 11 am at Plaza de la Hispanidad.

This award ceremony for the ‘Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism 2025’ will mark the start of the annual programme designed to promote this award and to publicise at a European level the milestones and good practices that have earned Benidorm this recognition. At this first event, a commemorative sculpture will be installed that will be displayed in the city throughout the year.

In addition, in the coming months, several workshops and specific events will be held to promote the sustainability of our tourism model not only in Spain but in the rest of Europe. Benidorm is also expected to participate in the ‘Spain Talks’ that Turespaña organises in various European cities and in which other data that confirm the sustainability of the destination will be presented.

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. “The intention 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” explained Mayor Toni Pérez.

Likewise, the dissemination of the title ‘Green Pioneer’ is planned in the academic field and the different national and international fairs of the year; as well as in the major congresses and professional meetings that will take place in the city throughout the year.

The agenda of activities also includes online training and workshops to disseminate good practices in global sustainability, as well as working hand in hand with content creators aligned with environmental protection and sustainability.

The mayor stressed that the award “shows our exceptional commitment to shaping the future of sustainable and innovative tourism and confirms the commitment we began in 2015 in favour of sustainability and smart tourism”. Pérez was convinced that the recognition “will serve as an inspiration for other European destinations and will raise the profile of the city as a first-class destination, which it already is, attracting visitors and promoting sustainable economic growth”. The objective will be, he said, “for sustainability to be the recognisable seal of that great tourist industry and of that great leading destination that is Benidorm”.

Finally, he wanted to emphasise that coinciding with the 700th anniversary of the creation of our city with the Carta Pobla, Benidorm “will be able to display this seal as the only reference destination as a green pioneer for smart tourism, an achievement that comes after so much time of work and many efforts”.