Benidorm, Spain has been officially recognized as the 2025 European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism, awarded by the European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism competitions.
The winner of the 2025 European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism competition serves as a role model for the shift towards sustainability by introducing innovative projects that actively involve local communities and tackle issues such as tourism seasonality.
These initiatives are designed to enhance visitors’ experiences and encourage smarter, more sustainable travel practices. They will ensure long-term benefits for the environment and the local economy.
A Model for Smart and Sustainable Tourism
Benidorm’s approach to sustainable tourism focuses on balancing visitor experience with environmental conservation. The city boasts a compact 38 km² territory, with 61% of its land dedicated to protected areas such as Sierra Gelada Natural Park and the Moralet area, ensuring the preservation of its natural ecosystems.
Beneath the Mediterranean waters, 173 hectares of Posidonia Oceanica meadows play a crucial role in maintaining marine biodiversity and coastal water clarity. Benidorm is also leading efforts to combat climate change and rising sea levels, implementing eco-friendly cleaning techniques, sea walls, and advanced drainage systems to safeguard its coastline.
Water conservation is another key focus. The city’s smart water management system has achieved a 95% water cycle efficiency, recycling greywater for irrigation and public services. These innovations make Benidorm a global leader in urban water conservation, addressing challenges related to water scarcity while promoting sustainable urban tourism.
Beyond the Beach: A Year-Round Sustainable Destination
Benidorm’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond environmental initiatives to include a diversified tourism economy. By integrating health tourism, eco-tourism, and cultural tourism, the city has successfully reduced its reliance on seasonal travel, ensuring economic stability for local businesses and residents.
The city’s sustainable tourism efforts include:
- Eco-friendly attractions – Sustainable theme parks and golf courses designed with minimal environmental impact.
- Cultural events – The Winter Festival and historical reenactments bring visitors outside peak summer months.
- Smart technology – Real-time beach monitoring apps help manage overtourism and improve visitor experience.
Sustainable EU Tourism – Benidorm’s part in Shaping the Tourism of Tomorrow
In the spirit of smart tourism, Benidorm is committed to knowledge exchange and cooperation with other EU destinations, as showcased by its participation in the Sustainable EU Tourism – Sharping the Tourism of Tomorrow project. This initiative aims to strengthen the sustainability and resilience of EU tourism by promoting peer-to-peer learning and collaboration, aligned with the EU’s Transition Pathway for Tourism.
Over 200 EU tourism destinations took part in the Sustainable EU Tourism survey, resulting in a compilation of Best Practices from 50 EU destinations, addressing tourism challenges and showcasing sustainable solutions. The report showcases how Benidorm, with 15.3 million overnight stays and ongoing water scarcity challenges, has implemented innovative water management practices, like separating rain and wastewater, composting sludge for agriculture, and generating biogas from wastewater to produce electricity.
