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
![[CITYDNA ORGANISATION 🟠] Did You Know?
CityDNA Board Members are elected for a 3-year mandate, ensuring fresh perspectives and dynamic leadership within our alliance.
Each year, due to rotation, new positions open up, and we are currently receiving candidatures for the 2025 elections.
Curious to see who’s currently shaping our alliance?
Meet the CityDNA Board: https://buff.ly/40kjS4X
#CityDNA #Leadership #DMOs #CityDestinations #Elections](https://citydestinationsalliance.eu/wp-content/plugins/social-wall/img/placeholder.png)
[CITYDNA ORGANISATION 🟠] Did You Know?
CityDNA Board Members are elected for a 3-year mandate, ensuring fresh perspectives and dynamic leadership within our alliance.
Each year, due to rotation, new positions open up, and we are currently receiving candidatures for the 2025 ...elections.
Curious to see who’s currently shaping our alliance?
Meet the CityDNA Board: https://buff.ly/40kjS4X
#CityDNA #Leadership #DMOs #CityDestinations #Elections
[CITYDNA 2025 ACTION PLAN & TOOLS ⚙️] Ready to shape the future of European city tourism? Dive into the City Destinations Alliance's 2025 Action Plan packed with innovative tools, sustainable projects, and dynamic events designed for the members, by the members!
🔍 ...Highlights:
🌿 Sustainability at the forefront – from Climate Action Projects to Sustainability Policy development
🤝 Revamped Networking Systems during conferences
💡 Interactive conferences, webinars & learning sessions
🌐 Expanded Knowledge Groups projects with actionable insights
And much more!
📌 Explore our full Action Plan here: https://buff.ly/3C7S3oI
#CityDNA #ActionPlan2025 #Sustainability #TourismInnovation #UrbanDestinations
[CITYDNA CEO MEETING 👩💼👨💼] ⏳ LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER! ⏳
The countdown is on! With just 2 weeks to go, the 18th CityDNA CEO Meeting in Monaco (27-28 January 2025) is almost here. Don’t miss this exclusive gathering of over 50 DMO leaders from across Europe! 🌍
...Why you can’t miss it:
✨ Confidential discussions in a trusted CEO-level environment
✨ Game-changing keynotes from visionaries like Frédéric Genta (Monaco Government) & Sam Beni (Platin VC)
✨ Collaborative workshops tackling sustainability, digital transformation, and more
✨ Practical strategies to drive real innovation and transformation
📍 Location: Monaco
📌 When: January 27-28, 2025
💻 Secure your spot now: https://buff.ly/4daS7Az
🚀 This is your last chance to gain inspiration, exchange insights with peers, and shape the future of destination management.
🤝 Sponsored by IMEX
Let’s lead the way together. See you in Monaco! 🌟
#CityDNA #CityDNACEOMeeting #Leadership #DestinationManagement #Networking #Innovation
Visit Monaco
[INSIDE THE ALLIANCE 🤝] 🔔 Your Personalised Q&A Session with the CityDNA Head Office Team🔔
🌟 Have you booked your “Inside the Alliance” session yet? This is your chance to meet the CityDNA Head Office Team for a tailored, one-on-one 30-minute Zoom session, designed just... for your city!
✨ What’s in it for you?
- Explore your membership benefits.
- Get answers to all your burning questions.
- Learn about our platforms and tools like the Intranet.
🗓️ Sessions are available every Thursday—make sure your team doesn’t miss out on this exclusive opportunity to connect and thrive!
📩 How to register:
Contact Flavie for the booking link or head to the Intranet to secure your slot.
💡 Let’s make 2025 your most impactful year yet—don’t miss this chance to unlock the full potential of your membership!
#CityDNA #InsideTheAlliance #MembershipBenefits #DestinationManagement
[BEYOND BOUNDARIES 🌐] In just 3 months, we’ll gather in Budapest for the CityDNA International Conference & General Assembly, April 9–11, 2025! 🚀
This year’s theme—"Beyond Boundaries: Driving Tourism’s Business Transformation"—will bring together destination... leaders, industry pioneers, and innovative thinkers to reimagine the future of urban travel.
Here’s what you can look forward to:
✨ Keynotes and workshops tackling sustainable tourism and resilience
🤝 Networking with global peers shaping tomorrow’s visitor economies
🌍 Practical strategies to navigate uncertainty and drive transformation
🗓️ Save the date and get ready to explore bold ideas, practical solutions, and forward-thinking approaches—in the vibrant setting of Budapest.
📢 If you haven’t registered yet, don’t wait! Secure your spot today: https://buff.ly/3VLQovq
#CityDNA #BeyondBoundaries #TourismInnovation #UrbanTransformation Visit Budapest
[LET PIGS FLY Q&A SERIES 📰] Radically Collaborative: An Honest Conversation About Leadership
In an inspiring conversation with Leslie Bruce, CEO of Banff & Lake Louise Tourism and speaker at the CityDNA International Conference in Bruges, we uncover the power of radical ...collaboration in addressing the complex challenges of tourism.
🌟 Radical Collaboration
Goes beyond working together nicely—it’s about embracing differing viewpoints, even from critics, to find better solutions.
🌿 Balancing Growth & Preservation
Sustaining livelihoods while protecting nature requires systemic change, legislative action, and shared community values.
💡 Leadership with Purpose
From navigating community engagement post-pandemic to advocating for bold changes in energy and transportation, Leslie reflects on the responsibility and passion that drive her work.
Leslie shares: “You don’t need all values to be the same, but you need to find one that anchors everyone. For us, it’s nature—it unites and compels us to protect this special place.”
Read the full Q&A to explore how Banff & Lake Louise Tourism is redefining leadership and collaboration: https://buff.ly/41Zbjz1
#CityDNA #LetPigsFly #SustainableTourism #RadicalCollaboration #Leadership #DMO
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[LET PIGS FLY 🐷🪽] 🌟 Reflecting on an Inspiring CityDNA Autumn Conference in Bruges 🌟
The CityDNA Autumn Conference 2024 brought us to the enchanting city of Bruges, where we explored the theme “Let Pis Fly”—challenging ourselves to tackle the impossible in the world of ...city destinations.
Hosted at the beautiful Crowne Plaza Brugge, the conference showcased Bruges’ innovative tourism approach, blending a deep respect for its UNESCO World Heritage charm with forward-thinking strategies that set a benchmark for destination management.
🎥 Hear from Barbara Jamison-Wood, President of CityDNA, in this heartfelt testimonial, where she reflects on the power of collaboration, the unique charm of Bruges, and the role of bold ideas in shaping the future of city destinations. Don't miss her inspiring words—watch the video now! 👉 https://buff.ly/3VWs4qG
A special thank you to Visit Bruges for their exceptional hospitality and for demonstrating why Bruges is not only a cultural gem but also a prime destination for business and conferences. 🌍✨
We’re thrilled to have shared meaningful insights, connected with incredible professionals, and left inspired by the stories and ideas shared during our time in Bruges. Let’s keep pushing boundaries and redefining what’s possible together!
#CityDNA #LetPigsFly #MeetInBruges #Conferences #Innovation #TourismAndCulture #Networking #DestinationManagement
The theme of the CityDNA Autumn Conference in Bruges was “If Pigs could fly”. Bruges strives to achieve the impossible thanks to an innovative...
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[2024 AT A GLANCE! 🔢] 🌟City Destinations Alliance 2024: A Year of Connection and Growth! 🌍
📊 By the Numbers:
✨ 10 events bringing together 1,016 attendees
✨ 128 presentations, best practices, and case studies shared
✨ 7 Knowledge Groups hosting 59 meetings
...
✨ 122 members from 39 countries – thank you for your trust!
✨ and more: https://buff.ly/4fAMFrP
As we reflect on these achievements, we’re excited to continue empowering city destinations in 2025. From impactful events to innovative insights, we’re ready to shape the future of our industry, together. 🚀
A heartfelt thank you to our members, partners, and the entire CityDNA community for making this journey extraordinary. 💼💡
#CityDNA #2024Recap #TogetherWeThrive #InnovationInTourism