Setting an example

Digital-forward, accessible to all and a champion of sustainability, Sweden’s second city has all the attributes of a leading 21stcentury destination. Its strong approach to tech means visitors and locals alike benefit from widespread 4G coverage, futureoriented public transport and smart grids for traffic and electricity. The easygoing port city, hailed as the world’s most sustainable destination by the Global Destination Sustainability Index four years in a row, also adopts a pioneering approach to emission targets, and most of its hotels have been environmentally certified.

Co-winner Málaga, Spain has transformed itself from a Mediterranean seaside staple to a hotbed of innovation. Sustainability initiatives have ranged from smart watering systems to efforts to improve noise quality. Local authorities have embraced technology to improve the visitor experience and help businesses to innovate. The city has also boosted its cultural appeal, welcoming more than 30 museums in the past 20 years, including the Centre Pompidou Málaga, providing new itineraries and transforming old buildings into hubs of culture. One of the best examples of its approach is Tabacalera, a former tobacco factory which now houses the Automobile & Fashion Museum and the Russian Museum Collection — Saint Petersburg, as well as the Spanish National Digital Content Hub, where artists use virtual reality to improve tourism and other sectors — all just a short walk from the sea.