Por Pablo Arranz 
Benidorm City will receive the ‘Green Pioneer’ badge on Thursday, February 20th, an official recognition granted on November 27th. The award will be presented by representatives of the European Commission, the driving force behind it, at an event scheduled for 11 am at Plaza de la Hispanidad.
This award ceremony for the ‘Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism 2025’ will kick off the annual program designed to promote this distinction and showcase the milestones and best practices that have earned Benidorm this recognition on a European level. The event will include the installation of a commemorative sculpture that will be displayed in the city throughout the year.
In the upcoming months, several workshops and specific events will be held to promote the sustainability of our tourism model, not only in Spain but also across Europe. Benidorm’s participation in ‘Spain Talks,’ organized by Turespaña in various European cities, is also planned, where additional data confirming the destination’s sustainability will be presented.
A ‘bootcamp’ will be conducted with cities that have previously been recognized as ‘Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism’ or have received the ‘European Capital of Smart Tourism’ award, also granted by the European Union. «The intention is to share success stories and explore how solutions implemented in these destinations can be replicated elsewhere; learning from each other and working together towards a tourism activity that promotes social, economic, and environmental sustainability,» explained Mayor Toni Pérez.
Furthermore, the title ‘Green Pioneer’ will be promoted in academic circles and at various national and international fairs throughout the year, as well as during major congresses and professional meetings held in the city. The agenda also includes online training sessions and workshops to disseminate best practices in global sustainability and collaborate with content creators aligned with environmental protection and sustainability.
The mayor emphasized that the badge «demonstrates our exceptional commitment to shaping the future of sustainable and innovative tourism, reaffirming the initiative we began in 2015 in favor of sustainability and smart tourism.» Pérez is confident that this recognition «will serve as inspiration for other European destinations and raise the city’s profile as a top-tier destination, already attracting visitors and promoting sustainable economic growth.» The goal, he stated, is «for sustainability to be the recognizable hallmark of this great tourism industry and of Benidorm as a leading destination.»
Lastly, coinciding with the 700th anniversary of the city’s founding with the Carta Pobla, Benidorm «will be able to showcase this badge as a unique reference destination as a green pioneer for smart tourism, an achievement that comes after much effort and hard work.»