City Destinations Alliance
The alliance of Tourist Boards, Convention Bureaux and Destination Management Organisations in Europe
We are the European knowledge sharing alliance for cities and urban regions. While working on the DNA of our cities, we are committed to a sustainable, inclusive and responsible visitor economy that benefits people, planet and prosperity.
We are much more than a network. We want to publicly advocate for our common goals while still learning from each other.
Our vision is for all cities in Europe to flourish as great places to live, work, meet and explore. As a community of DMO professionals, our promise to each other is to always be curious and forward-thinking, share our inspiration and never stop learning.
Highlights
The reference for Leisure, Meetings Industry and City Marketing in Europe.
Global Accessibility Report
Accessibility is the tool, Inclusion is the Objective
The Global Accessibility Report, a collaborative effort by City Destinations Alliance and Destinations International, offers a comprehensive look at accessibility initiatives in global tourism. Released in October 2024, this report analyses data from 92 destinations worldwide, primarily in Europe and North America.
The Meetings Industry Manifesto
Priorities for the Next EU Leadership
“The Meetings Industry Manifesto: Priorities for the Next EU Leadership” is a comprehensive document that emerged from our discussions and collaborative efforts at the EU Dialogue in Brussels. This manifesto aims to enhance awareness and recognition of the Meetings Industry’s significant role in driving economic growth, fostering innovation, and promoting sustainability across Europe.
Redefining Success
How DMOs can Drive Social & Community Well-Being
CityDNA and TOPOSOPHY released a report on ‘Redefining Success: How DMOs can Drive Social & Community Well-Being’. Building upon the success of previous joint collaborations, this paper takes a deeper dive into meaningful KPI design with practical applications and real world case study examples to support and empower DMOs to broaden their positive influence, measure their social impact and communicate their value contribution for the neighbourhoods, cities and regions they serve.
Featured Events
#CityDNA events provide members with information, contacts and business leads they cannot afford to miss out on.
Members know best…
The CityDNA Knowledge Groups play a strategic role in helping us develop new ideas, products, insights and solutions in the areas of City Cards, Marketing & Communication, Meetings Industry, Research & Insights, Sustainability, Tourist Information Centres or Trends. They are incubators of new ideas and an important source of insights and expertise.
When it comes to looking at the future, the constantly evolving CityDNA Summer School is a unique opportunity for young professionals just entering the Meetings Industry to spend three days with some of the biggest names in our business, to understand the nature of the Meetings Industry, and acquire practical marketing skills. An unforgettable career-defining experience!
By providing data, we can benchmark the performances of our destinations with bednights and in meetings statistics, as well as the financing and spending structures of our organisations. For the 50% of our members who do not have their own research departments, City Destinations Alliance can provide a unique & essential source of information.
City Destinations Alliance knows that we, as members, have specific interests and provides us with the opportunity to have our own platforms, events and forums. CityDNA also helps us members to align our own strategic agenda with whatever demands, challenges and opportunities tomorrow will bring.
Every year, we have more and more City Cards specialists participating in the City Cards Expert Meeting and strengthening the network. Through best practices and knowledge exchange, these meetings allow CityDNA member destinations to fine-tune their City Cards product, the associated communication and sales strategy, with the goal of managing the destination in a sustainable way.
City Destinations Alliance is a member organisation. It is with us members and by the members. Through its strategy, CityDNA explores a more sustainable tomorrow together with a great purpose and appetite for experimenting in the visitor economy that contributes to a better life in the city. This knowledge is essential in my daily job!
Knowledge exchange and best practices’ sessions are core activities in City Destinations Alliance: from meetings statistics to legacy or ambassador programmes, we are always kept up to date by the best examples in Europe and from around the world.
City Destinations Alliance is the only organisation to gather all CEOs of European destinations to discuss the latest market trends and new developments in policy, strategy and operations. But more important: it gives me a network of persons with whom I share challenges and endeavours, be it sustainability challenges, citizens support or how to measure the broader pros and cons of tourism. In short: This meeting is on the very top of my list.
CityDNA Live
![[FESTIVE FUN AT THE HEAD OFFICE ✨]
The festive season is here, and yesterday we brought some sparkle to the office with our annual Christmas tree decorating session! 🎉🎁
But this year, there's a twist… 👀 Can you spot the "flying" pig hidden in the picture? 🐷✨
Let us know if you find it and share your own festive vibes in the comments! 🎄✨
#CityDNA #HolidayMagic #CityDNAMagic](https://citydestinationsalliance.eu/wp-content/plugins/social-wall/img/placeholder.png)
[FESTIVE FUN AT THE HEAD OFFICE ✨]
The festive season is here, and yesterday we brought some sparkle to the office with our annual Christmas tree decorating session! 🎉🎁
But this year, there's a twist… 👀 Can you spot the "flying" pig hidden in the picture? ...🐷✨
Let us know if you find it and share your own festive vibes in the comments! 🎄✨
#CityDNA #HolidayMagic #CityDNAMagic
[WE*GENERATE PODCAST🎙️] How Do Volunteer Programmes Create Community Beyond “Events”?
In this episode of the City Destinations Alliance podcast sequence, WE*GENERATE: COMMUNITY, we’re joined by Ulla Svenningsen Lund, Head of Engagement and Volunteers at Visit Aarhus, and Gerry ...Proctor, Chair of Engage Liverpool. Together, we discuss how DMOs and citizen groups can create a sense of belonging and community in destinations by scaling volunteer programmes beyond big events. Aarhus’ ReThinkers initiative connects volunteers with everyday cultural tasks, whilst Engage Liverpool builds community action through resident-led initiatives. How can these volunteer programmes work in other contexts and how can they be a part of the city year-round?
Listen here: https://buff.ly/3OECfwb
#CityDNA #WeGeneratePodcast
GROUP NAO
[WEBINAR 💻] Webinar Alert: The Year in Review and the Year Ahead 2024
Join Phocuswright, PhocusWire, and our partner Miles Partnership for their much-anticipated annual webinar on Thursday, December 12, at 17:00 CET. 🌍
✨ Discover the latest trends shaping the travel and ...tourism industry in 2024:
🔹 Marketing Reimagined – Innovative strategies transforming destination decisions.
🔹 Trending Technology – Cutting-edge tech like AI revolutionising travel.
🔹 Hospitality Insights – Shifts in traveller preferences and the rise of premium stays.
💡 Gain expert insights, fresh research, and global case studies to gear up for the future of travel in 2025!
👉 Don't miss out – register now: https://buff.ly/4eZliYa
#CityDNA #TravelTrends #TourismInsights
[CITYDNA MEMBERS 🟠] We’re thrilled to celebrate two of our CityDNA Members for their outstanding achievements!
🌟 Turismo Torino e Provincia has been named the 2025 European Capital of Smart Tourism, recognised for its remarkable innovation in accessibility, digitalisation, ...sustainability, and cultural heritage. Their ambitious programme for 2025 will set a new benchmark for smart tourism in Europe and beyond.
🌿 Visit Benidorm has been crowned the 2025 European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism, showcasing its pioneering approach to sustainable tourism and inspiring other destinations to follow in its footsteps.
We also want to congratulate our member cities that made it to the shortlist:
✨ Brussels, Genoa, Lviv, and Porto for the European Capital of Smart Tourism title.
✨ Liepāja for the European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism title.
👏 These destinations represent the very best in smart and sustainable tourism innovation, and we are so proud to see them recognised at the European level.
Here’s to a future of innovation and sustainability in tourism! 🌍
More info: https://buff.ly/4eTSJes
#CityDNA #CityDNAMembers #SmartTourism #SustainableTourism #Innovation #EuropeanTourism #TourismExcellence European Commission
[CITY TRAVEL REPORT BY CITYDNA 📈] Discover what Karl Wöber, Full Professor & Founding President of Modul University Vienna has to say about the 20th edition of the #CityTravelReportbyCityDNA 2023-2024!
Learn more and order your copy now: https://buff.ly/471r48I
#CityDNA ...#research #bednights #shorttermrentals #CO2emissions
[CITYDNA CEO MEETING 👩💼👨💼] 🎤 Meet the Visionaries Shaping the Future of Destination Management 🎤
Join us for the CityDNA CEO Meeting in stunning Monaco, January 27-28, 2025, and gain exclusive insights from two trailblazing keynote speakers:
✨ Frédéric ...Genta – Secretary of Attractiveness and Digital Transformation, Government of Monaco
👉 Harvard graduate and global innovator with 20+ years of experience transforming public policy and business through technology. Frédéric has been instrumental in shaping Monaco’s future as a leader in sustainability and digital transformation.
✨ Sam Beni – Founder & CEO, Platin VC
👉 A powerhouse in urban innovation and entrepreneurship. Sam’s leadership has propelled over 45 startups to unicorn status, driving $32 billion in investment. His expertise in smart city projects and mobility will inspire new possibilities for destination management.
🌟 Why attend?
This exclusive event brings together Europe’s top DMO CEOs to explore key industry challenges, including:
🔹 Sustainability in tourism
🔹 Digital innovation for visitor experiences
🔹 Overcoming political and budget constraints
📍 Where: Monaco – A destination that blends innovation, glamour, and history.
🛎️ Arrive early: Enjoy a relaxing weekend with our special hotel rates starting January 24.
💻 Secure your spot today: https://buff.ly/4daS7Az
🤝 Sponsored by IMEX
#CityDNA #CityDNACEOMeeting Visit Monaco
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[VISITOR EXPERIENCE EXPERT MEETING ℹ️] The #CityDNAVisitorExperience Expert Meeting in Antwerp was a real success! 🎉 A heartfelt thank you to all attendees for your active participation and valuable contributions – your insights make these meetings truly impactful.
A special ...shoutout to the fantastic Visit Antwerp team – Lotte Van Buyten, Ruud Tiebos, Toon Jacobs and everyone involved – for their exceptional hospitality and hard work in making this event unforgettable. 🙌👏
Mark your calendars for the next edition: November 27-28, 2025, in the vibrant city of Vilnius! 🇱🇹✨
#CityDNA #TouristInformationCentres
![Lightbox link for post with description [VISITOR EXPERIENCE EXPERT MEETING ℹ️] Final...](https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/468001649_992204916282685_1010419175225389121_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_p720x720_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=c2fUibpdj8sQ7kNvgEIB_BU&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-sea1-1.xx&edm=AKIiGfEEAAAA&_nc_gid=A-qUiXJ56MrQdP31a60Lm9i&oh=00_AYAnFVYm3oxbv2EHiVMxTngi-QmpNUMUQIuFGgbwg_ImsQ&oe=67596A4E){kind=link}
[VISITOR EXPERIENCE EXPERT MEETING ℹ️] Final sessions of the #CityDNAVisitorExperience Expert Meeting reflected on major projects:
Sonja Blickle from Stuttgart Tourismus and Winfried Burger from Simply Munich shared their cities' successes in hosting fans, with branded TICs, ...well-trained volunteers, fan zones, and flexible strategies that made the Germany UEFA Euro Cup 2024 a triumph for visitor experience.
Pablo Ortega Novillo from Generalitat de Catalunya reflected on lessons learned from the Catalonia’s Mathematical Routes’s first phase, highlighting its potential to connect tourism and education. A new launch is planned for 2025, incorporating alliances and improved messaging.
#CityDNAVisitorExperience #TouristInformationCentres
Stad Antwerpen Visit Antwerp
Photos by Jelle Jansegers Photography