Cities are embroiled in increasingly intense competition to attract a wide range of events, with digital and social media having transferred marketing from city officials to citizens, according to the president of European Cities Marketing (ECM).

“City branding is more complex than ever. CTOs (chief technology officers) have lost share of voice in the age of digital and social media. The city belongs to the people,” said ECM president Ignasi de Delàs in the run up to the ECM meeting on 24-27 February in Madrid.