Brussels, September 19 (BNA): The European Commission has announced that Gürsu in Turkey and Middelfart and Thisted in Denmark have been shortlisted for the European Destination of Excellence 2022 competition.
The 2022 prize winner will be chosen from this shortlist of three. The initiative rewards the best achievements in sustainable tourism and green transformation practices in smaller destinations across Europe.
The three destinations convinced a panel of independent sustainability experts with their applications and were selected ahead of 40 other destinations for applicants.
European Destinations of Excellence is an initiative of the European Union, implemented by the European Commission. Its goal is to recognize and reward smaller destinations that have successful strategies for promoting sustainable tourism through green relocation practices.
The competition was founded on the principle of promoting sustainable tourism development in destinations that bring value to the economy, planet and people.
The initiative covers EU countries as well as non-EU countries participating in the COSME programme.
The European Commission said the competition addresses smaller tourism destinations that can showcase their outstanding achievements in sustainability and inspire other tourism destinations in their green transformation.
In order to compete for the title of European Destination of Excellence for 2022, destinations were asked to demonstrate their best practices in sustainable tourism and green transformation.
In the next step, the three shortlisted destinations will be asked to submit their city’s nomination before the European Jury. The European jury will select one winner, the European Destination of Excellence 2022, which will be awarded in November 2021.
The winning destination will be positioned as a tourism sustainability leader committed to the goals of the European Green Deal and will receive expert contacts and EU-wide brand support throughout 2022.