EU Smart Tourism Podcast

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 representative...

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 re...

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...

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 imp...

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 susta...

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...

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 us...

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 u...

Smart gets you further - Off-season Tourism In the twelfth episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast, we discuss the importance of off-season tourism and the benefits of promoting travelling during the low season. As seasonal tourism has a negative impact not only on the environment, but also on local communities and the employment landscape, more destinations are recognising the need to promote tou...

Smart gets you further - Your Guide to Success in Smart Tourism Competitions In the eleventh episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast, we are celebrating the launch of the 2025 European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism competitions and looking back at previous winners and their success stories. Misa Labarile, Policy Officer at the European Commission, DG GROW together with representatives...

Smart gets you further - The 2024 European Capital & Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism winners In the tenth episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast, we are introducing and celebrating the winners of the 2024 European Capital & Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism - Dublin (Ireland) and Grosseto (Italy). We will have a look at Dublin’s transformation into a smart tourism destination and Grosseto’s s...

Smart gets you further - skills that make smart tourism destinations thrive. In the ninth episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast, we are looking at the most important skills in the tourism industry today. From digital literacy to standout customer service and cultural insight - the skills landscape is constantly changing and evolving. Misa Labarile, Policy Officer at the European Commission, DG G...

Smart gets you further – New and Emerging Technologies In the eighth episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast, we are talking about new and emerging technologies and the way they are shaping the future of tourism. Misa Labarile, Policy Officer at the European Commission, DG GROW together with experts of the topic discuss the innovative ways destinations are using technologies in smart tourism. Spea...

Smart gets you further - Co-creation and Smart Tourism Governance In the seventh episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast, we are looking at the importance of effective co-creation and collaboration in smart tourism.  Misa Labarile, Policy Officer at the European Commission, DG GROW together with cities’ representatives, professors and experts of the topic discuss why collaboration is fundamental t...

Smart gets you further – The new European Capital & Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism competitions In the sixth episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast, we are turning the spotlight on the recently launched European Capital & Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism competitions and the experience of winning cities so far. Misa Labarile, Policy Officer at the European Commission, DG GROW discusses with  curren...

Smart gets you further – Cultural Heritage and Tourism In the fifth episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast, we are looking at the creative integration of cultural heritage into the smart tourism experience. Misa Labarile, Policy Officer at the European Commission, DG GROW discusses with past finalists of the competition as well as leading tourism policy experts the interest tourists take in explo...

Smart gets you further - Accessible and Inclusive Tourism In this fourth episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast, we dive into the world of accessible smart tourism practices in Europe, the measures implemented and the people behind them taking a step further towards accessibility for all. In this episode, Misa Labarile, Policy Officer at the European Commission, DG GROW discusses with past winner...

In this third episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast, we explore the digital space in smart tourism and begin to ask: what drives this digital move, how does it find implementation and what does this mean for the future of European tourism? In this episode Misa Labarile, Policy Officer at the European Commission, DG GROW discusses with past winners of the competition as well as cities within the...

In this second episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast we take our next steps into the world of sustainble smart tourism practices in Europe, the innovations and the people behind them who are driving the European tourism industry towards a greener form of tourism.  In this episode Misa Labarile, Policy Officer at the European Commission, DG GROW discusses the 2022 European Destination of Excellen...

In this first episode of the EU Smart Tourism Podcast we take our first steps into the world of smart tourism practices in Europe, the innovations behind the future of tourism and the driving competition that cities across Europe apply for to become the next European Capital of Smart Tourism.  In this episode Misa Labarile, Policy Officer at the European Commission, DG GROW discusses with the #EUT...