Advancing Destination Strategy at the CityDNA CVB Café 2026

In May 18th 2026, the This is Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau team represented Athens at the annual CityDNA CVB Café in Frankfurt. Organised by the City Destinations Alliance (CityDNA), the two-hour gathering took place at the nhow Frankfurt hotel. The event brought together 45 representatives from Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) across more than 40 European cities.

Collaborative Strategy and Knowledge Exchange 

CityDNA functions as a European network that promotes knowledge exchange among urban destinations, convention bureaux and tourist boards. This meeting offered a practical forum to discuss current trends, challenges and opportunities in a transparent environment. Direct networking with European peers enables us to share experiences and identify joint practices that can lead to new business models.

The agenda focused on the operational realities of managing a modern destination. Participants examined best practices in innovation and the integration of new technologies, including Artificial Intelligence. Discussions also covered the digitalisation of tourism services and practical strategies for visitor attraction. Sharing these insights creates a foundation for mutual learning and continuous development.

Following the formal sessions, a networking cocktail allowed for further direct engagement.

Measuring Impact and Sustainability 

The core framework of the meeting relied on six specific discussion topics selected directly from participant suggestions. These structured roundtables addressed measuring impact beyond economic results, balancing work with associations versus corporates and the evolving role of CVBs in destination ecosystems. Participants also evaluated doing more with less regarding operational priorities and trade-offs, the progression of AI in CVB practice from testing to integration and destination competitiveness within a sustainability and legacy context.

These targeted exchanges allowed representatives to evaluate destination market positions through the framework of long-term legacy. This collaborative data provides clear strategic direction for our ongoing destination management and future planning.

Stay Connected 

To keep up with the latest news and initiatives from This is Athens-CVB, follow our journey on social media: LinkedIn & Facebook