Applications open for the Sustainable Cultural Tourism Destination Awards

Applications are now open for the Sustainable Cultural Tourism Destination Awards 2026, which celebrate excellence in sustainability and cultural heritage across Europe. Applications are open to destinations with initiatives that enhance the visitor experience while preserving local traditions. The deadline for applications is 15. May.

The European Travel Commission (ETC) has once again joined forces with the European Cultural Tourism Network (ECTN), Europa Nostra and the Network of European Regions for Competitive and Sustainable Tourism (NECSTouR) to launch this year's edition of the Sustainable Cultural Tourism Destination Awards. The initiative continues to highlight innovative approaches to sustainable cultural tourism across Europe.

This year's theme "Sustainable Tourism Strategy and Cultural Compass for Europe: Synergies for Regenerative, Smart and Resilient Cultural Tourism" reflects the increasing focus on building destinations that are not only sustainable, but also adaptable and future-oriented.

Applications are open to a wide range of stakeholders, including national, regional and local authorities, tourism boards and associations, destination management organisations, museums, interpretation centres, cultural routes, festivals and cultural NGOs.

Acceptable applicants they are invited to present tangible results and achievements in the development of sustainable cultural tourism.

Candidates can submit their applications in one of the following categories:

• Resilience in sustainable cultural tourism destinations, including natural heritage, green transition and climate action.
• Creative tourism and jointly created cultural tourism experiences.
• Digitalization in smart tourism, aspects of cultural heritage and creativity, improving visitor experiences.
• Transnational thematic tourism products involving culture and heritage, including European cultural routes and European Heritage Label networks, cross-border and multi-destination tourism initiatives involving at least 2 countries.
• Active, slow and accessible cultural tourism - walking, cycling and mountain tourism around culture and heritage.
• Regenerative cultural tourism and the regeneration of heritage-driven destinations - synergies of regenerative tourism with culture and heritage.

The winners will be announced during the awards ceremony, which will be held as part of the 19th International Conference on Cultural Tourism organized by ECTN from September 23-26, 2026. on the Greek island of Skiathos. The deadline for applications is May 15, 2026.

More information about the 2026 awards is available at connectors.

Source: ECT