Timișoara, the city in the western Romania region of Banat and a holder of the European Capital of Culture title in 2023, won the grand prize and has been named the Destination of the Year 2026 at this year's competition of the same, which aims to promote local tourism. This year’s edition of the competition saw close to 450,000 votes, and the final list of winners was based on the public’s choices, a jury evaluation, and sociological research, the organizers explained. The award handed to Timișoara acknowledges “the city’s transformation in the last years and the way it consolidated its position as an urban destination relevant at the European level.” “This is an award that validates the city’s work over the past few years.