Destination of Sustainable Cultural Tourism Awards 2026: Finalists announced

The finalists of the Destination of Sustainable Cultural Tourism Awards 2026, recognising outstanding initiatives that demonstrate excellence in sustainable, smart, resilient and regenerative cultural tourism across Europe, were announced on 1 July. The awards are organised by ECTN in partnership with Europa Nostra, the European Travel Commission and NECSTour, with support of the INSPIRES SMP-COSME Project, Europeana, the Creative Tourism Network and ENAT.

This year’s finalists compete in six categories aligned with the key themes of the 19th ECTN Conference for Cultural Tourism, which will take place on 23-26 September 2026 on Skiathos Island, Greece, under the theme:

“Sustainable Tourism Strategy and Culture Compass for Europe: Synergies for Regenerative, Smart and Resilient Cultural Tourism.”

The finalists represent destinations, tourism organisations and cultural heritage initiatives from across Europe, showcasing innovative projects that strengthen local communities, preserve and promote cultural heritage, enhance visitor experiences through digital innovation, encourage active and accessible tourism, and advance regenerative approaches to destination development.

 

The winners and runners-up (1st, 2nd and 3rd prize) in each category will be announced during the ECTN Awards Ceremony on 24 September 2026.

The awards complement the conference programme, which will explore the latest European developments in cultural tourism, including the implementation of the forthcoming EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy and the Culture Compass for Europe.

Finalists by category

in alphabetical order

The awards categories reflect the major priorities shaping the future of cultural tourism in Europe

1. Tourism Resilience

​(linked to the INSPIRES SMP-COSME project)

• Specially Protected Cultural Monument the Turaida Museum Reserve
  By Turaida Museum Reserve, Latvia
• Tara Hategului – Resilient Rural Tourism through Community Stewardship and Heritage Conservation
  By Retezat Tourism Association, Hunedoara County, Romania

 

2. Creative Tourism and Co-Created Cultural Tourism Experiences

(supported by the Creative Tourism Network)

• Cultural Climate Change Starts in the North – Co-Created by the Community
  By City of Oulu / BusinessOulu, Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland
• Mziskari – A Sustainable Gastronomy Network in Georgia
  By LEPL – Georgian National Tourism Administration, Georgia
• Reviving Myrsini: Regenerative Village Tourism through Olive Culture
  By Peloponnese Region, Greece

• Small Fishing Academy Pilchard, Fažana, Istria
  By Fažana Tourist Board, Istria, Croatia

 

3. Digitalisation in Smart Tourism – enhancing visitor experiences

(supported by Europeana, linked to Smart Tour Interreg Europe project)

• Dubrovnik Pass – A Smart Digital Ecosystem for Cultural Heritage and Visitor Experience
  By City of Dubrovnik, Croatia
• From Heritage Assets to Smart Experiences: Digital Innovation for Year-Round Cultural Tourism at Balaton Uplands
  By Lake Balaton Development Coordination Agency, Hungary

• Lost Spaces documentary VR experience set within the Buffer Zone of the divided city of Nicosia
  By CYENS – Centre of Excellence, Nicosia, Cyprus

• “Vacanze in salute” – Healthy holidays in the Veneto Region
  By Municipality of Jesolo, Veneto Region, Italy

 

 4. Transnational Thematic Tourism products involving Culture and Heritage

• Dual Pilgrim – Way of St. James (Spain) and Kumano Kodo (Japan)
  By Turismo de Santiago de Compostela, Spain
• Significant Cemeteries for Sustainable Europe: Regenerating “Silent Cities” into Gardens of Peace
  By European Cemeteries Route, Cultural Route of the Council of Europe
• The Smuggle Tour (ŠVERC TURA), an immersive cross-border cultural experience connecting Slovenia and Italy
  By Public Tourist Office Nova Gorica and Vipava Valley, Slovenia

 

5. Active, Slow and Accessible Cultural Tourism

(supported by ENAT and ECF coordinator of the Active Tourism Coalition)

• Camino South Istria (Pula, Medulin, Vodnjan, Fažana, Ližnjan, Marčana)
  By South Istria Cluster (Tourist Boards of Pula, Fažana, Medulin, Ližnjan, Marčana, Vodnjan) in partnership with the Brotherhood of St. James – Croatia
• Drava Bike: A Sustainable Cycling Journey Through the Cultural Heritage of the Drava River
  By Regional Development Agency Podravje – Maribor, Slovenia
• Štrekna Cycling Path – From Former Railway to Green Mobility Experience
  By Koroška Tourist Board, Slovenia

 

6. Regenerative Tourism Synergies with Culture and Heritage

• Ethnographic Food Cultural Experiences in the Central Azorean Islands (Pico, São Jorge & Faial)
  By Oh! My Cod Food & Cultural Experiences, Azores Islands – Triangle Island, Portugal
• Mazjumprava Cultural Quarter, heritage-led regeneration initiative
  By Riga Municipality, Latvia
• North Sea Passport, a regenerative tourism initiative connecting visitors with the unique cultural landscape of the Wadden Sea region
  By North Sea Tourism Agency, Lower Saxony, Germany