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.
The Human Pulse of Place and Purpose
CityDNA International Conference
& General Assembly, April 22-24, 2026
At a time when European destinations are reshaping their visitor economies amid global transformation, the CityDNA International Conference & General Assembly, taking place in Helsinki on April 22-24, 2026, invites members and partners to explore what lies before and beyond the data.
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.
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.
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
![[THE HUMAN PULSE OF PLACE AND PURPOSE 💓]
What makes Helsinki one of the most sustainable cities in the world?
It’s not just one initiative.
It’s a system.
From climate targets to clean air, from inclusive values to everyday mobility, Helsinki is building a model where sustainability is not an add-on, but the foundation of how the city works.
💡 What does that look like in practice?
- A city aiming to cut emissions by 85% by 2030.
- A destination where nearly all large hotels are sustainability certified.
- A place where nature, trust, equality and quality of life are part of the visitor experience, not separate from it.
And perhaps most importantly: a city where sustainability is designed to benefit people, place and purpose.
👉 In this carousel, discover 15 facts that show how Helsinki is turning ambition into action, and why it continues to lead globally.
📍 Helsinki
🗓️ April 22-24, 2026
🔗 Find out more: https://citydestinationsalliance.eu/event/citydna-international-conference-general-assembly-2026-helsinki/
#CityDNA #CityDNAHelsinki2026 #VisitorEconomy #SustainableTourism #SustainableCities #PlaceLeadership #CityGovernance My Helsinki Visit Helsinki](https://citydestinationsalliance.eu/wp-content/plugins/social-wall/img/placeholder.png)
[THE HUMAN PULSE OF PLACE AND PURPOSE 💓]
What makes Helsinki one of the most sustainable cities in the world?
It’s not just one initiative.
It’s a system.
From climate targets to clean air, from inclusive values to everyday mobility, Helsinki is building a ...model where sustainability is not an add-on, but the foundation of how the city works.
💡 What does that look like in practice?
- A city aiming to cut emissions by 85% by 2030.
- A destination where nearly all large hotels are sustainability certified.
- A place where nature, trust, equality and quality of life are part of the visitor experience, not separate from it.
And perhaps most importantly: a city where sustainability is designed to benefit people, place and purpose.
👉 In this carousel, discover 15 facts that show how Helsinki is turning ambition into action, and why it continues to lead globally.
📍 Helsinki
🗓️ April 22-24, 2026
🔗 Find out more: https://citydestinationsalliance.eu/event/citydna-international-conference-general-assembly-2026-helsinki/
#CityDNA #CityDNAHelsinki2026 #VisitorEconomy #SustainableTourism #SustainableCities #PlaceLeadership #CityGovernance My Helsinki Visit Helsinki
We are going to Helsinki for the CityDNA International Conference & General Assembly 2026 – here is the most surprising route we discovered!
At the CityDNA Head Office, we decided to put #Rome2Rio to the test… and it did not disappoint. Our journey from Dijon to Helsinki could have... been a true European adventure: nearly 50 hours of travel, 3 changes and a route crossing 7 countries – from France through Germany to Poland and onwards across Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia before reaching Finland.
What makes it surprising? The sheer diversity of connections and the idea of travelling almost entirely overland, revealing just how interconnected Europe really is beyond the obvious flight option. A real multimodal journey that transforms a simple trip into an experience.
We are very much looking forward to welcoming 230+ participants in Helsinki next week. In the meantime, don’t forget to join the challenge – share your most surprising route (it doesn’t have to be the one you are actually taking) and you might win one of the prizes!
#CityDNA #TheGreatRoutetoHelsinki #CityDNAHelsinki2026 #Rome2Rio @CityDNA @Rome2Rio @Helsinki Tourism and Destination Management - City of Helsinki
[THE HUMAN PULSE OF PLACE AND PURPOSE 💓] What if business events could improve public health?
At the CityDNA International Conference & General Assembly 2026 in Helsinki, Copenhagen brings a powerful perspective: events as catalysts for long-term societal impact.
💡 ...Beyond the venue, beyond the moment.
Through global legacy initiatives linked to major medical congresses, Copenhagen is showing how destinations can influence policy, share knowledge and contribute to better health outcomes locally and globally.
With Gerda-Marie Rist from Wonderful Copenhagen, this session explores how legacy thinking is moving from concept to practice, and becoming embedded in strategy, governance and future event design.
From measuring impact to shaping long-term value, it’s a shift that redefines what success looks like in the visitor economy.
📍 Helsinki
🗓️ April 22-24, 2026
🔗 Find out more: https://citydestinationsalliance.eu/event/citydna-international-conference-general-assembly-2026-helsinki/
#CityDNA #CityDNAHelsinki2026 #VisitorEconomy #BusinessEvents #Legacy #SustainableTourism #Impact
[THE HUMAN PULSE OF PLACE AND PURPOSE 💓] Great strategies don’t start with more data, they start with better questions.
But are destinations asking the right ones?
At the CityDNA International Conference & General Assembly 2026 in Helsinki, the focus shifts from ...collecting data to making it count.
🎥 In this video, three perspectives bring that shift to life:
1. Anna Wojnarowska (Gdansk Convention Bureau) shows how data can reshape seasonality, turning Gdańsk into a year-round destination and redefining autumn as a new opportunity.
2. Hannah Babineau (The Data Appeal Company) challenges a common trap: collecting data without using it. Her approach focuses on the questions, KPIs and frameworks that turn insight into action.
3. Marie-Louise Schnurpfeil (Linz Tourismus) closes the loop demonstrating how strategy, creativity and bold choices translate insight into real experiences and impact.
Together, they outline a pathway for destinations:
👉 from insight
👉 to method
👉 to impact
📍 Helsinki
🗓️ April 22-24, 2026
🔗 Find out more: https://citydestinationsalliance.eu/event/citydna-international-conference-general-assembly-2026-helsinki/
#CityDNA #CityDNAHelsinki2026 #VisitorEconomy #DataDrivenDestinations #DestinationStrategy #TourismInnovation My Helsinki Visit Helsinki
[THE HUMAN PULSE OF PLACE AND PURPOSE 💓] How will you get to Helsinki… next week? 🌍✈️🚅🐎🚲🛴🚶♂️
Registrations for our International Conference may be closed, but the journey is just beginning!
💡 There’s still time to take part in The Great Route... to Helsinki, powered by Rome2Rio.
This is your moment to think beyond the obvious and share the most creative, unexpected or surprising route to Helsinki, even if it’s not the one you’ll actually take!
Because this challenge isn’t about logistics.
It’s about curiosity, imagination and the joy of travel across Europe.
🚀 How to participate
1️⃣ Find an unusual route to the Clarion Hotel Helsinki via https://www.rome2rio.com/
2️⃣ Share it on LinkedIn (text, video, screenshot… get creative!)
3️⃣ Add: “I’m heading to Helsinki for #CityDNAHelsinki2026 — here is the most surprising route I discovered!”
4️⃣ Tag City Destinations Alliance | CityDNA, Rome2Rio, Helsinki Tourism and Destination Management - City of Helsinki + your departure city
5️⃣ Use: #TheGreatRouteToHelsinki #CityDNAHelsinki2026 #Rome2Rio
🏆 3 monetary prizes to win
🔹 Multimodal Master
🔹 The Scenic Route
🔹 The Unexpected Route
🎤 Winners will be announced live in Helsinki
💡 Next week, we gather in Helsinki. But first, how will you get there?
We can’t wait to see your routes 👀
#CityDNA #CityDNAHelsinki2026 #TheGreatRouteToHelsinki #Rome2Rio #VisitorEconomy #TravelInspiration #ConnectedEurope
[THE HUMAN PULSE OF PLACE AND PURPOSE 💓] Experience London: The Pitch - when a city rewrites its own story
What if tourism wasn’t about where you go… but how you experience it?
At the CityDNA International Conference & General Assembly 2026 in Helsinki, London is ...rethinking its narrative, shifting from iconic landmarks to authentic, lived experiences.
💡 Beyond the centre. Beyond the expected.
In this session, Richard Wilcox (London & Partners) shares how:
✨ Neighbourhood storytelling is bringing untold areas to life
✨ Partnerships are unlocking deeper, more local connections
✨ Experience-led placemaking is driving more balanced and inclusive growth
This is more than a tourism strategy - it’s a mindset shift.
From showcasing a city… to inviting people to feel part of it.
👉 What would it take for destinations to truly put people and place at the heart of every visitor experience?
📍 Helsinki
🗓️ April 22-24, 2026
🔗 Find out more: https://citydestinationsalliance.eu/event/citydna-international-conference-general-assembly-2026-helsinki/
#CityDNA #CityDNAHelsinki2026 #VisitorEconomy #ExperienceEconomy #DestinationMarketing #PlaceLeadership
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[CityDNA BOARD ELECTIONS 🗳️] Meet the candidates shaping the future of Europe’s cities
Who shapes the future of Europe’s city destinations?
It’s not just strategies or structures. It’s people.
At the upcoming CityDNA General Assembly in Helsinki, members will ...elect new Board members - not a full renewal, but a transition where fresh voices join the existing Board.
💡 Different perspectives. One shared responsibility: shaping destinations that are more sustainable, more inclusive, and more resilient.
These are the individuals ready to bring new ideas, energy and leadership to the network - helping to shape what comes next.
At the same time, we extend our sincere thanks to the outgoing Board members for their commitment and the impact they’ve made. 👏
This is more than an election. It’s about continuity, fresh perspectives and the future we want to build together!
👇 Get to know the candidates who will help shape the future of Europe’s city destinations.
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[THE HUMAN PULSE OF PLACE AND PURPOSE 💓] What makes a city the happiest in the world, nine years in a row?
According to the latest World Happiness Report, Finland holds the top spot once again and Helsinki offers a glimpse into why.
But this is not about rankings. It’s ...about how a city is designed to make everyday life work.
In Helsinki, happiness is built through trust, education, accessible services and proximity to nature, where over 40% of the city is green space and daily life naturally includes movement, connection and balance.
It’s a place where:
• Schools prioritise well-being and focus
• Digital habits are actively shaped to support healthier lives
• Nature, culture and services are never far away
• Even the sauna becomes a space to disconnect and reconnect
This is not just a quality-of-life story.
It is a model of how cities can create long-term value for people, and, in turn, for the visitor economy.
📍 Helsinki
🗓️ April 22-24, 2026
🔗 Find out more: https://citydestinationsalliance.eu/event/citydna-international-conference-general-assembly-2026-helsinki/
#CityDNA #CityDNAHelsinki2026 #VisitorEconomy #PlaceLeadership #WellbeingEconomy #SustainableCities #CityGovernance