ECTN Awards 2026: Call for Entries for ‘Sustainable Tourism Strategy and Culture Compass for Europe: Synergies for Regenerative, Smart and Resilient Cultural Tourism’
The Creative Tourism Network is honoured to partner with the 2026 edition of the ECTN Awards, under the theme of “Sustainable Tourism Strategy and Culture Compass for Europe: Synergies for Regenerative, Smart and Resilient Cultural Tourism”.
This prestigious competition is organised by the European Cultural Tourism Network (ECTN) in partnership with Europa Nostra, the European Travel Commission and NECSTouR, supported by the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT) and the Creative Tourism Network .
Call for Entries
The 2026 overall theme is “Sustainable Tourism Strategy and Culture Compass for Europe: Synergies for Regenerative, Smart and Resilient Cultural Tourism”, and the deadline to apply is 15 May 2026.
The Awards will be given for achievements by cultural tourist destinations which have produced significant results related to enhancing visitor experience while respecting traditions and involving local host communities.
The 2026 Awards address the following tangible and intangible heritage-related aspects of resilient, smart and sustainable cultural tourism development and promotion:
1. Resilience in Sustainable Cultural Tourism (linked to the INSPIRES SMP-COSME project), including natural heritage, green transition, and climate action.
2. Creative Tourism and Co-Created Cultural Tourism Experiences, including initiatives that foster co-creation, skills exchange, and authentic local community engagement. Supported by the Creative Tourism Network.
3. Digitalisation in Smart Tourism – Cultural Heritage and Creativity aspects, enhancing visitor experiences (linked to the ‘Smart Tour’ Interreg Europe project). Supported by Europeana.
4. Transnational Thematic Tourism products involving Culture and Heritage, including European Cultural Routes and European Heritage Label networks, cross-border and multi-destination tourism initiatives involving at least 2 countries.
5. Active, Slow and Accessible Cultural Tourism – Walking, Cycling and Hiking Tourism around Culture and Heritage, including initiatives that promote low-impact, human-scale cultural tourism through active mobility and inclusive access. Supported by ENAT.
6. Regenerative Cultural Tourism & Heritage Led Destination Regeneration – Regenerative Tourism Synergies with Culture and Heritage, including initiatives that actively restore, regenerate and strengthen cultural, social and ecological systems through tourism.
The applicants must address one of the above themes and present projects, initiatives or activities that have been completed during the past 3 years. Award winners will be recognised as examples of excellence inspiring other tourist destinations and stimulating further development of resilient, smart and sustainable cultural tourism initiatives.
Award winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony to be held during the 19th International Conference for Cultural Tourism on the theme of “”Sustainable Tourism Strategy and Culture Compass for Europe: Synergies for Regenerative, Smart and Resilient Cultural Tourism”‘’, organised by ECTN on 23-26 September 2026 on Skiathos island, Thessalia Region, Greece.
The selected finalists will be invited to the ECTN Conference 2026 and to the Awards Ceremony on 24 September. The organiser and partners will not reimburse any costs for attending the Awards Ceremony, but the conference fee will be waived for up to two persons per finalist.
Who can apply?
The ECTN Awards are open to all tourist destinations across Europe, national, regional and local authorities, tourism boards and associations, destination management organisations, museums, heritage sites, interpretation centres, cultural routes, festivals and cultural NGOs.
Find more information about the application process here.
