FFITUR acogerá los 9º ‘AMT Smart Destinations Awards 2026’, que premiarán la innovación turística
The deadline for entries for these awards, organised by AMT and ITH, is 16 November 2025.
These awards seek innovative solutions and projects that help unicipalities to advance in their smart tourism management.
The Alliance of Sun and Beach Tourism (AMT, Alianza de Municipios Turísticos de Sol y Playa) and the Spanish Hotel Technological Institute (ITH, Instituto Tecnológico Hotelero), announce the 9th edition of the AMT Smart Destinations Awards, which recognise the technological solutions and tools implemented that help tourist destinations to advance towards their transformation into Smart Tourism Destinations (STD). The awards will be presented at the International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR), which takes place from 21 to 25 January 2026, in the new Knowledge Hub, Hall 12 of IFEMA MADRID, which will be the epicentre of debate and innovation in the tourism industry.
Deadline and submission of applications
The deadline for the submission of applications will remain open until 16 November 2025 through the official website for companies and public or private entities in the tourism industry, such as town councils, tourism boards, associations and foundations, among others. These entities will be able to participate both as beneficiaries and promoters of the technological solution implemented.
Award Categories
Nominations may be submitted in five categories:
- Integrated Destination Management
- Interaction with Tourists and Citizens
- Environmental Sustainability
- Destination Promotion and Marketing
- Innovative Destination Project
Private companies may apply for the first four categories, while the fifth category is only open to applications from public or private entities in the tourism industry. This category (Innovative Destination Project) will assess innovative projects that are operational or that, although already completed, can be replicated in other destinations. These projects must be aligned with one of the other four categories.
The three finalists in each category will present their solutions at the techYdestinoforum at FITURTECHY, a space dedicated to innovation and technology in tourism. The official presentation of the AMT Smart Destinations Awards will take place on 22 January 2025, at 16:00 at techYdestino.
The shortlisted solutions will be announced on 8 January 2025, and will be included in an online catalogue of technology solutions that will be made available to the jury members and published on the awards website. In addition, participants will be able to accelerate their businesses by applying for a free place (100% subsidised) in the mentorDay tourism acceleration programme.
The jury is composed of representatives of the AMT member municipalities: Adeje, Arona, Benidorm, Calvià, Lloret de Mar, Salou, San Bartolomé de Tirajana and Torremolinos, together with tourism industry experts from organisations such as INVAT-TUR, SEGITTUR, FITUR, ITH and Thinktur.
Last year's winners were OK Located, Freeplantour, Murmuration, and Barceló Hotel Group in the categories of integrated destination management, interaction with tourists and citizens, environmental sustainability, and destination promotion and marketing, respectively. For its part, the City Council of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria was the winner in the category of innovative destination project, which was launched as a new addition in the last edition.
For more information visit the ITH website.