The EU is looking for the European Destination of Excellence 2023

Today, the European Commission launches the European Destination of Excellence (EDEN) 2023 competition. This initiative rewards the best achievements in sustainable tourism and green transition practices in smaller destinations across Europe.

The European Destinations of Excellence is an EU initiative implemented by the European Commission. It recognises and awards smaller destinations applying successful strategies to boost sustainable tourism through green transition practices. The competition promotes the development of sustainable tourism destinations that bring value to the economy, the planet, and the people. The current 2022 European Destination of Excellence, Middelfart (Denmark), serves as the inaugural holder of the new and improved initiative and as a sustainable tourism pioneer throughout Europe.

To compete for the 2023 European Destination of Excellence title, we ask destinations to demonstrate their best practices in sustainable tourism and green transition. The competition covers EU countries and non-EU countries in the COSME programme. First, a panel of independent sustainability experts will evaluate applications. In the second step, we ask three shortlisted cities to present their candidature in front of the European Jury. The European Jury will select one winner, the European Destination of Excellence 2023, announced in November 2022.

We will position the winning destination as a sustainable tourism pioneer committed to the European Green Deal objectives and provide expert EU level communication and branding support throughout 2023.

To apply, we ask destination representatives to complete an online form. The deadline for applications is 1 June 2022 at 17:00 CET.

For all the latest news, visit the European Destinations of Excellence website.

Contact

European Destinations of Excellence Secretariat: Antigoni Avgeropoulou, %20infoedensecretariat [dot] eu (info[at]edensecretariat[dot]eu), +49 (0) 30 70 01 86 390