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.
Moving Together
CityDNA Autumn Conference, Verona, October 19-21, 2026
Join us to explore how mobility, accessibility, data, AI and business events are reshaping city destinations. Discover how cities can respond to changing visitor flows and move forward together with greater alignment and collective purpose.
CityDNA Committees
Help Shape the Future of CityDNA:
CityDNA is launching six new standing committees, giving members a direct role in shaping the Alliance’s priorities. Bring your expertise, connect with peers across Europe and help turn shared knowledge into action over two years.
The CityDNA Tórshavn Declaration
From Shared Priorities to Action
The CityDNA Tórshavn Declaration is a collective strategic framework developed with and for members. It captures the key priorities shaping the future of Europe’s city destinations and translates them into concrete areas of action.
The Score is Not the Story
VivaCITY Whitepaper from CityDNA & Simpleview
What’s Beyond the Sustainability Score? In a time when certifications and indexes dominate the sustainability narrative, this whitepaper invites destination leaders to look deeper—beyond metrics and toward meaningful, transformative strategies.
Climate Change and the Future of Tourism
Trend Room Whitepaper
The Whitepaper written in collaboration with ETFI is based on findings from a scenario workshop that explored how the impacts of climate change will transform the travel landscape of urban tourism destinations in the long term of 5 to 10 years by means of future scenarios (2035 is taken as time horizon).
City Travel Report by CityDNA 2024-2025
A New Era of Recalibration for European City Tourism
The City Travel Report by CityDNA provides a vital perspective on the volume of urban tourism in Europe, enabling individual city destinations to chart trends and to benchmark themselves in terms of volume and other parameters, especially key source markets. It presents compelling evidence of the economic significance of contemporary urban tourism. Put simply, cities are the dominant geographical focus of European tourism, especially the lucrative (and therefore much sought after!) short break and congress and/or conventions segments.
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
![[CITYDNA 🟠] Yesterday in Berlin, CityDNA’s Inge Bauwens joined the GetYourGuide UNLOCKED SUMMIT panel on sustainable...](https://citydestinationsalliance.eu/wp-content/plugins/social-wall/img/placeholder.png)
[CITYDNA 🟠] Yesterday in Berlin, CityDNA’s Inge Bauwens joined the GetYourGuide UNLOCKED SUMMIT panel on sustainable destination growth, alongside Alessandra Priante and Hazel McGuire, moderated by GetYourGuide’s Co-Founder & COO, Tao Tao.
The discussion focused on how DMOs, Read moreoperators and platforms can better align around data, distribution and local collaboration to create long-term value for destinations and communities.
For CityDNA, stronger public-private collaboration is essential to balancing visitor economy growth with liveability, and turning shared insight into practical action.
Thank you to GetYourGuide and the fellow panellists for the exchange!
#CityDNA #VisitorEconomy #DestinationManagement #SustainableTourism #PublicPrivatePartnerships #CityGovernance
[MOVING TOGETHER 👣] Movement only works when everyone can take part.
At #CityDNAVerona2026, mobility and accessibility are not side issues. They shape how destinations are planned, experienced and discovered.
From what makes someone feel welcome, to changing mobility patterns Read moreand how access influences demand, these sessions bring the conversation from principle into practice.
📍 Verona
🗓️ October 19-21, 2026
Register now: https://citydestinationsalliance.eu/event/citydna-autumn-conference-2026-verona/
#CityDNA #MovingTogether #CityDNAVerona2026 #UrbanMobility #AccessibleTourism #DestinationManagement
Verona Garda Convention Bureau Destination Verona & Garda Foundation
[TOURMIS 2026 📈] Two days in Vienna dedicated to data, impact and better-informed destination management.
Yesterday, our CityDNA Research & Insights Knowledge Group met in person to work together on ongoing projects, exchange perspectives and discuss the next steps for the group. ItRead more was another valuable opportunity to turn the expertise across our network into practical initiatives for our members. 🤝
The conversation then continued with Day 1 of the 21st TourMIS Users’ Workshop, exploring how destinations can make better use of tourism data and benchmarking. From new TourMIS features and regional tourism statistics to meetings industry benchmarking, CO₂ emissions, tourist tax revenues and the future development of the platform, the day put practical data tools at the heart of destination decision-making.
Today, Day 2 shifted the focus from data to impact. Under the theme “Adoption of impact models among NTOs and DMOs”, the International Seminar looked at how tourism organisations can better understand and measure the economic, social and environmental value they create.
🌍 Perspectives ranged from the European level and the EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy, to national, regional and city approaches from Switzerland Tourism, NECSTouR and Wonderful Copenhagen, alongside insights from Tourism Economics and academia. The afternoon brought participants together for a hands-on exchange around a central question: how can destinations best generate and measure meaningful impact?
A big thank you to our co-organisers Modul University Vienna, the European Travel Commission and NECSTouR, as well as to all speakers and participants, for two days of knowledge-sharing, collaboration and forward-looking discussion. The 2026 edition brought together national, regional and city perspectives, exactly the kind of exchange needed to move towards more balanced, evidence-based tourism development.
#CityDNA #TourMIS2026 #CityDNAResearchAndInsights #TourismData #DestinationManagement #TourismImpact #ResearchAndInsights #SustainableTourism
[MOVING TOGETHER 👣] Why do people move?
David Meade opens #CityDNAVerona2026 with "Why We Move?": a keynote looking beyond the logistics of travel to the motivations behind movement itself.
What draws people towards new places, experiences and connections? And what Read morecan destinations learn from understanding that “why” more deeply?
A fitting opening to a conference exploring movement in every sense.
📍 Verona
🗓️ October 19-21, 2026
Explore the programme & register: https://citydestinationsalliance.eu/event/citydna-autumn-conference-2026-verona/
#CityDNA #MovingTogether #CityDNAVerona2026 #VisitorEconomy #DestinationManagement #PlaceExperience
Verona Garda Convention Bureau Destination Verona & Garda Foundation
[CITYDNA SUMMER SCHOOL 🎓] 2 weeks on from the 40th CityDNA Summer School in Dijon, we are still grateful for the partners who helped make this milestone edition possible. 💛
A special thank you to our local host, Dijon Bourgogne Tourisme & Congrès, for welcoming the Summer SchoolRead more to Dijon and helping create such a strong setting for learning, exchange and connection.
We are also grateful to our industry partners IMEX, The Iceberg, IAPCO, HQ Mags and #SITE for their continued support of the programme and of the next generation of business events professionals.
Their involvement helps CityDNA connect emerging talent with expertise, ideas and networks from across the sector, strengthening a learning community that has now grown to more than 2,200 alumni since 1987.
Partnership has always been part of the Summer School’s DNA, and this 40th edition was no exception.
Thank you for being part of the journey. 🙏
#CityDNA #CityDNASummerSchool #BusinessEvents #Partnership #PeerLearning #VisitorEconomy
![Lightbox link for post with description [CITYDNA 🟠] Yesterday in Berlin, CityDNA’s...](https://scontent-sea5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/799427862_1551506613685843_4003606482544715574_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_p720x720_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=pRy6AZ_f4A8Q7kNvwGgbttp&_nc_oc=AdpjZZY50_oTouNzljk_Sr12n55qXRhS5tFiM-S1YxEo_DWswj8wPLjBjpyP4IkX26I&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-sea5-1.xx&edm=AKIiGfEEAAAA&_nc_gid=pfJVNxDK6hPxr0g3gojKjg&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQIis6ZcVgJPlxfeHIkpVaSQi4gZ93pWchF4KHEUGSZAh85ke25CzOXWhyjs8q_qzQUJemWYF5qL2Q&oh=00_AQI12A0zHEhMKXHEkT-nsDjKQUFSG3SCjpXCx0djG3bOWg&oe=6AB16EA3){kind=link}
![Lightbox link for post with description [MOVING TOGETHER 👣] Movement only works when...](https://scontent-sea5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/811340355_1550572353779269_5397904390842124331_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s720x720_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=J6HdoasBWc8Q7kNvwEEk-Um&_nc_oc=AdryJ9FOgrlGgePy8eTu2YOQHoG3_7lyG3jRbPw3PhajkhWEj9R4jqGuc6XwAW-OnSU&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-sea5-1.xx&edm=AKIiGfEEAAAA&_nc_gid=pfJVNxDK6hPxr0g3gojKjg&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQIFFDFDh6eHyyUTz69bNBvWBRqG5HTBsOzUFSBb3RWN-l6XPnwngHeGLyW2YvobAkEGfFQdpOjnuA&oh=00_AQLrZQr6a7ZVn2tY0CGt5LXdR4xdebxUAVoSSRzkODfraw&oe=6AB1A4CE){kind=link}
![Lightbox link for post with description [TOURMIS 2026 📈] Two days in Vienna dedicated...](https://scontent-sea5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/805696831_1546975534138951_2599270838482306565_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_p720x720_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=VQCC_z8fW7wQ7kNvwHIkuMJ&_nc_oc=AdrD0VHqpAUybk-oWYHTcWJfktnT434wH_POUihgbDcFnzNFyAe_PY_DwTn1XLaUgos&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-sea5-1.xx&edm=AKIiGfEEAAAA&_nc_gid=pfJVNxDK6hPxr0g3gojKjg&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQLmU6BDQ9JmCYwblwd-wG5aoSQhsG4_hh8M5eTS3sok4EEYI3A-rJbrL60ua6vAEVFnjZ22we6RhA&oh=00_AQId98wNCXAaTaT4v6UL8oM23MmYgIVE2r3GDujFWXsZkw&oe=6AB1A664){kind=link}
![Lightbox link for post with description [MOVING TOGETHER 👣] Why do people move? David...](https://scontent-sea5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/806235337_2014913399196141_108703576678182144_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5fad0e&_nc_ohc=zBehP7mc4-AQ7kNvwGlqqpT&_nc_oc=AdrWGTmBhg4g_7VYttS1XPxpHlhLyN5sOniYPezTFaS08m8_4jjdSP11xtRH4zc8TNk&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-sea5-1.xx&edm=AKIiGfEEAAAA&_nc_gid=10ZcaSwpsWxMMVeakqMI6g&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQIWVgW52TsA2DQHs_m0Sb5WCI2RE2Rx3kyv4ZaX2NvMnFytlabahHNoGQPL5SUysZJkjt1wt6JZcg&oh=00_AQJe6DX4XZ8EbQ_B4TDJCiH-WxRLOLLwdNb05zIoFLiKHQ&oe=6AB19139){kind=link}
![Lightbox link for post with description [CITYDNA SUMMER SCHOOL 🎓] 2 weeks on from the...](https://scontent-sea5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/797841469_1545138520989319_5138164587121459805_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_p720x720_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=qFBWEwb1wBUQ7kNvwFdaRjM&_nc_oc=Adq1_Y6fxTM-Q9lAlzC1HbNZatXvMtUJpWAnBYuyZhNZdVGVFzofv4LSiIODzflx0Sg&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-sea5-1.xx&edm=AKIiGfEEAAAA&_nc_gid=10ZcaSwpsWxMMVeakqMI6g&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQLUR5Oufvf1b6FWMjP1OLUwJ6aUk90yrRvLGRtjILXhpMPoYtbpyVeepilKgAp3SQh4TaSjpey7yA&oh=00_AQI57fp2U3dyknpe1QHclVVtHbwkFtNbTi3DVj9tNzTZ7Q&oe=6AB171F4){kind=link}
![Lightbox link for post with description [MOVING TOGETHER 👣] 6 weeks to Verona. 1 month...](https://scontent-sea5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/798077741_1543863467783491_5241530406809411105_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s720x720_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=blyA0ehE7GUQ7kNvwE50lpB&_nc_oc=Ado2lf5AmlWcOpuGkFxzfveqqBYpJuU78EeZ6N2Ld99YH9_m5SPiNmGxOfnXcGQkrKw&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-sea5-1.xx&edm=AKIiGfEEAAAA&_nc_gid=XTzk0t9nBIB1joGeX2xSoA&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQJ1cr5jbwIZ2ayjyB_bZeSz8L8Bp5vV_AYC_Xzwof9zYlBoKChesFlWTy5NKigCjbyE4F8TvTnciw&oh=00_AQJgQCIiCQMQQnN5GIqrtQJyG-k3rlRK4gtvkvSmpiXqTQ&oe=6AB18B44){kind=link}
[MOVING TOGETHER 👣] 6 weeks to Verona. 1 month left to register.
The CityDNA Autumn Conference brings mobility, accessibility, data, AI, business events and destination strategy into one shared conversation.
Not just through presentations, but through workshops, small-group Read morewalkshops and practical exchanges designed around the challenges city destinations are working through now.
And with key conversations feeding into CityDNA’s future direction, Verona will be one of those moments where being in the room matters.
📍 Verona
🗓️ October 19-21, 2026
Registration closes October 8 → https://citydestinationsalliance.eu/event/citydna-autumn-conference-2026-verona/
#CityDNA #MovingTogether #CityDNAVerona2026 #VisitorEconomy #DestinationManagement #UrbanMobility #DataDrivenDestinations
Verona Garda Convention Bureau Destination Verona & Garda
![Lightbox link for post with description [MOVING TOGETHER 👣] The CityDNA Autumn...](https://scontent-sea5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/792120573_1539999401503231_1244874080439977158_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s720x720_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=-lJFGT39SagQ7kNvwFMMgVT&_nc_oc=AdoCFDsR4zwNnuNHLQq-K5ngcLRIkEd3S5BKkbAT-xF59Cu2bZhSvAPtXFkkD4WHZTs&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-sea5-1.xx&edm=AKIiGfEEAAAA&_nc_gid=XTzk0t9nBIB1joGeX2xSoA&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQK_Xb3Xe6qDTIvL-6O3kaa8gzu40yixzdXAq5Lv9zj0Dm-vlYTMKpkfqi0VySYGtlWmt8hn6L91tg&oh=00_AQI8RRgPrEZJ8K4FzNoS2sfFs7MHSgY3TMzQtCG1YP8TVA&oe=6AB199C3){kind=link}
[MOVING TOGETHER 👣] The CityDNA Autumn Conference opens in Verona on October 19, and registration is open.
This is not a sit-and-listen conference. You’ll walk the streets of a UNESCO city in hands-on walkshops, work through real destination challenges in workshops, and leave with Read morepractical takeaways to bring back home.
Whether leading a city DMO or working across the wider visitor economy (from accessibility and mobility to events, data, AI and sustainability) the programme is designed to connect different perspectives around shared destination challenges!
📍 Verona
🗓️ October 19-21, 2026
Register: https://citydestinationsalliance.eu/event/citydna-autumn-conference-2026-verona/
#CityDNA #MovingTogether #CityDNAVerona2026 #VisitorEconomy #DestinationManagement #UrbanMobility #DataDrivenDestinations
Verona Garda Convention Bureau Destination Verona & Garda