City Destinations Alliance
The alliance of Tourist Boards, Convention Bureaux and City Marketing Organisations in Europe
We are the 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.
GDS-Forum & CityDNA Autumn Conference:
Building Blocks for Destination Positive
Valencia, October 3-7, 2023
Every day, we hear about the doom and gloom of global polycrisis. But is there a case to make for more of the right kind of optimism? Can more efficient progress be made if we believe in the possibility of positive change? And how do build towards inspired and engaging collective action, for better cities and destinations? Join us in Valencia for the City Destinations Alliance conference “Building Blocks for Destination Positive” from October 3-7, 2023 as we share and explore the promise of wegeneration in building for Destination Positive.
City Travel Report by CityDNA 2022-2023
The 19th edition is now available!
We are delighted to announce that the 19th edition of the City Travel Report by CityDNA 2022-2023 has been released!
Gathering insights from 115 participating cities, our report illustrates the main trends in city tourism between 2018 and 2022, enabling individual city destinations to benchmark themselves in terms of volume and other parameters, especially key source markets.
Welcoming Wegeneration
CityDNA Strategy 2023-2026
Welcoming Wegeneration is our long-term purpose and vision. It invites broad collective action. DMOs have the unique opportunity to make a real difference, they can connect people, cities and cultures and contribute to the quality of life in European cities. Now it is the time for inspired collective action and meaningful co-creation. This new strategy sets the tone and direction for City Destinations Alliance until 2026.
We call it Welcoming Wegeneration.
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
![[EUROPE'S TRAVEL LEADERS 🧳] The first episode of the Destination Think Europe's Travel Leaders series is a brief conversation with Elke Dens, Director of Global Programmes at The Travel Foundation, a sustainable travel NGO and Co-Founder of Place Generation.
She shared her perspective on long-term, responsible destination development from her role at Visit Flanders in Belgium. “I define success in terms of a journey instead of as a destination,” she said.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why Visit Flanders modified how they measure success.
- About the importance of collaboration with residents and communities.
- How the interconnectedness of tourism can be used to your advantage when trying to make bold changes.
Listen to the podcast: https://buff.ly/3LG4hX6
#CityDNA](https://citydestinationsalliance.eu/wp-content/plugins/social-wall/img/placeholder.png)
[EUROPE'S TRAVEL LEADERS 🧳] The first episode of the Destination Think Europe's Travel Leaders series is a brief conversation with Elke Dens, Director of Global Programmes at The Travel Foundation, a sustainable travel NGO and Co-Founder of Place Generation.
She shared her ...perspective on long-term, responsible destination development from her role at Visit Flanders in Belgium. “I define success in terms of a journey instead of as a destination,” she said.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why Visit Flanders modified how they measure success.
- About the importance of collaboration with residents and communities.
- How the interconnectedness of tourism can be used to your advantage when trying to make bold changes.
Listen to the podcast: https://buff.ly/3LG4hX6
#CityDNA
[BUILDING BLOCKS FOR DESTINATION POSITIVE 🟧🟢]
Shifting towards #PositiveImpact and a new #PurposefulBusinessModel for #associations & #destinations 🟣🔶🟦 But where do you start? At City Destinations Alliance conference #BuildingBlocks for #DestinationPositive, programmed by ...#GROUPNAO, the new #InternationalAllianceforImpact will help us get started on working with #impact.
In a workshop led by Solange Cleutjens from I amsterdam Convention Bureau and Gemmeke De Jongh from Visit Flanders, we will dive into new #PurposefulBusinessModels, #legacy planning, and taking the very first steps of formulating your #ImpactIntensions. Feeling like an #ImpactRooke? Not to worry, our two speakers will inspire the discussions with plenty of examples of #bestpractice and ongoing #programmes.
These are just one of many destination building blocks that we will dive into throughout our #positively loaded programme at the City Destinations Alliance Autumn Conference: "Building Blocks for Destination Positive”.
Check the programme: https://buff.ly/3RCNXdi
For the first time, the #CityDNA conference and #GDSForum with Global Destination Sustainability Movement are back-to-back for a full week of events in Valencia from Oct 3-7.
[EUROPE'S TRAVEL LEADERS 🧳]
🐘 The elephant in the room: that's what travel leaders from across Europe met to discuss earlier this year at CityDNA International Conference held in Sofia. With the climate emergency being one of several elephants present, and arguably the largest,... there was a lot to talk about.
At that event, Rodney Payne from Destination Think sat down with several bold travel leaders one-on-one to better understand what is being done and what is holding them back.
We've gathered the best of what we've learned from that experience and are proud to introduce a new series of interviews on the Travel Beyond podcast: Europe's Travel Leaders.
The first episode of this new series drops tomorrow.
#CityDNA #WorldTourismDay #TheElephantInTheRoom
![Lightbox link for post with description [EUROPE'S TRAVEL LEADERS 🧳] The first episode...](https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/384766583_710854447751068_7945662834023994495_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_p720x720&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=49d041&_nc_ohc=mTlXPdcQfToAX_WofpO&_nc_ht=scontent-sea1-1.xx&edm=ALdPpPkEAAAA&oh=00_AfB0Nb5ecXW8hChP191AUX9ttVDhMF8wPIAadNz-4gqCRQ&oe=651E7FD2){kind=link}
![Lightbox link for post with description [EUROPE'S TRAVEL LEADERS 🧳] 🐘 The elephant...](https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/384476926_981364079634544_2512720570792705282_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=ad6a45&_nc_ohc=LnyeoHdZuy0AX_5ZG17&_nc_ht=scontent-sea1-1.xx&edm=ALdPpPkEAAAA&oh=00_AfBqThZH3Z9vkFq0RkJGn-BuX1VTpIIA4wbjbhlosLO5nw&oe=651DEDB8){kind=link}
![Lightbox link for post with description [WORLD TOURISM DAY🌍] Happy #WorldTourismDay!...](https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/383508550_709392941230552_5118973592417003346_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=49d041&_nc_ohc=iLamsEHKYREAX-sK2tt&_nc_ht=scontent-sea1-1.xx&edm=AKIiGfEEAAAA&oh=00_AfCVam7FgYbnjJKgT7YkWQ27LqRdLPKW9Zby2u6SrjKN9w&oe=651D8797){kind=link}
[WORLD TOURISM DAY🌍] Happy #WorldTourismDay!
September 27 is the day to celebrate the power of #tourism to promote understanding and bring people together.
Let’s continue unlocking the potential of our sector drive #sustainable development for a fairer world.
Join the livestream on... “Tourism and Green Investments” now: https://buff.ly/3rls5bX
#CityDNA #UNWTO
![Lightbox link for post with description [PRESS RELEASE 📣] /// DRIVING POSITIVE IMPACT:...](https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/380283930_708086264694553_2064723084205035057_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=49d041&_nc_ohc=XotjhH8lZ24AX81LQRM&_nc_ht=scontent-sea1-1.xx&edm=AKIiGfEEAAAA&oh=00_AfAbIQgaMKdFgteE5ZA_x8AbZR17zclV7zmMMLw_8pcaQw&oe=651E6B6C){kind=link}
[PRESS RELEASE 📣] /// DRIVING POSITIVE IMPACT: City Destinations Alliance Autumn Conference 2023 will stack the Building Blocks of Destination Positive ///
From October 3-7, 2023, the GDS-Forum and City Destinations Alliance Autumn Conference will unite forward-thinkers and visionaries in ...pursuit of sustainable urban tourism and experiencing with positive impact for urban destinations.
Read the press release: https://buff.ly/461SlHb
#CityDNA #DestinationPositive Visit València -Spain
[BUILDING BLOCKS FOR DESTINATION POSITIVE 🟧🟢]
#HumanCentric AI for #BetterCities? 🟢🟧🔷 Can AI be used to tap into the essence of a city, namely the people? Is there such thing as a community algorithm? During the City Destinations Alliance conference in Visit València -Spain ...#BuildingBlocks for #DestinationPositive, programmed by GROUP NAO, we will be exploring #humancentric AI–based solutions for better urban futures. Co-Founder of Urbanistai, Damiano Cerrone is reshaping the way we use AI to co-design and co-create better #UrbanFutures, enabling comprehensive, participatory urban planning integrating multiple different AI technologies.
This is just one of many destination building blocks that we will dive into throughout our #positively loaded programme at the City Destinations Alliance Autumn Conference: "Building Blocks for Destination Positive”.
Be sure to register for your spot here: https://buff.ly/44ecWHl
For the first time, the #CityDNA conference and #GDSForum with Global Destination Sustainability Movement are back-to-back for a full week of events in Valencia from October 3-7.
![Lightbox link for post with description [TIC EXPERT MEETING ℹ️] Tickets to attend the...](https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/380933506_705633591606487_5274212553213504933_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_p720x720&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=49d041&_nc_ohc=c4cZtRCi-00AX_ePwA3&_nc_ht=scontent-sea1-1.xx&edm=AKIiGfEEAAAA&oh=00_AfDO11AEO66I_Lz5D-iww1v__PswxRfsoJ0zzDjNtFn5vQ&oe=651F1CC7){kind=link}
[TIC EXPERT MEETING ℹ️] Tickets to attend the 10th TIC Expert Meeting in Bologna Welcome on November 23-24, 2023 are selling fast!
The theme of the event will be "Act responsibly from your TIC: Responsibili-TIC ".
Be quick & secure your seat now: https://buff.ly/44x5w1o ...
#CityDNA #CityDNATouristInformationCentres
[BUILDING BLOCKS FOR DESTINATION POSITIVE 🟧🟢]
From #Valuegraphics to #InclusiveDataCollection to #SensoryExperienceDesign 🟡🟩🟠 At the City Destinations Alliance conference #BuildingBlocks for #DestinationPositive, programmed by GROUP NAO, we will seek inspiration for ...#PeoplePositive approaches in #datafying and #designing for Destination Positive.
Sofie Burgos-Thorsen from Teknoantropologi på Aalborg Universitet will invite us to create more sensitive ways of #researching #engaging & #collecting data from diverse and often underrepresented community groups. In a #LiveDemo session, Sofie will demonstrate tools developed to redesign the way data is used to tell stories about people’s diverse urban experiences and sense of #UrbanBelonging.
Value activist David Allison, Founder of The Valuegraphics Research Company, declares the end of #demographics and the rise of #Valuegraphics. Mapping human values, David connects shared values of different groups of people with a #data-based approach to a #values-driven world.
Shifting from #datadesign to #experiencedesign, Alison Brooks from Visit Mesa will take us on a #SensoryJourney as we learn what makes #Mesa one of the leading #autismfriendly cities & destinations in the world – with concrete examples of #destinationdevelopment and #experiencedesign that includes #VisualInterpretation services to #KnowBeforeYouGo accessibility platforms.
These are just one of many destination building blocks that we will dive into throughout our #positively loaded programme at the City Destinations Alliance Autumn Conference: "Building Blocks for Destination Positive”.
Be sure to register for your spot here: https://buff.ly/44ecWHl
#CityDNA