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GDS-Consulting
Does your sustainability strategy need help?
Let us support your competitive edge!
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#GDSINDEX2021
The GDS-Index 2021 results are live
Dive into the data to discover how destinations rank in sustainable management and performance
Get the 2021 results Top 20 destinations
It's always
TIME TO REGENERATE!
Benchmark your destination to receive insights and shape your strategy for regeneration
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Introducing
GDS-Academy
Developing skillsets, tool sets and mindsets for a regenerative future
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GDS-Academy
Certificate in Regenerative Destination Management
Learn how to transform your visitor economy. Sustainably.
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The GDS-Index
Methodology
Benchmarking destinations to create a regenerative tourism industry
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Advanced Search
Explore the benchmarking results of the past years using our new search and compare tool
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The GDS-Movement empowers destinations with the mindsets, strategies and skill sets to create regenerative places to visit, meet and live in. We envision responsible and regenerative tourism that creates thriving destinations for all.

What do we do?

We work with pioneering municipalities, national/regional destination management organisations, and convention bureaux, to co-create their tourism and events strategies, benchmark and improve their sustainability performance, and transform their value chains in order to catalyse regeneration.

GDS-Index
GDS-Index
The GDS-Index is the leading sustainability benchmarking and improvement programme for destinations around the world. It is used to assess current social and environmental performance of a destination, and then to drive improved performance. It is a powerful tool for clients to assess the sustainability of destinations to visit or meet in.
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GDS-Consulting
GDS-Consulting
Having worked with over 78 destinations, we understand the journey needed to transform a destination’s visitor economy into a regenerative force. Our role is to support destination management organisations on this journey, helping to define a vision and strategy, build capacity, engage stakeholders, and communicate efforts.
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GDS-Forum
GDS-Forum
The GDS-Forum is a meeting of minds that brings together tourism and event management professionals to exchange knowledge, share best practices and stimulate innovation about the creation, management and marketing of more regenerative, resilient and sustainable destinations.
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GDS-Academy
GDS-Academy
The GDS-Academy provides leading-edge training for event and destination management professionals to turn sustainability concepts into action. Check out our upcoming courses to stay ahead of the curve and learn about regenerative systems thinking and operational practices.
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GDS-Insights
GDS-Insights
We analyse the latest trends and research new opportunities to produce fresh insights that guide decision making and catalyse transformation towards a sustainable and regenerative future.
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Latest Insights
Blog
We are hiring!
Blog
We are hiring!
The GDS-Movement is looking for 4 passionate professionals with experience in the tourism and meetings industry. APPLY NOW!
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26 November 2021
1630 Views
Blog
Climate Action in Tourism and Meetings
Blog
Climate Action in Tourism and Meetings
Data proves destinations are part of positive change and have the chance to do much more
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16 November 2021
211 Views
Blog
We support the Net Zero Carbon Events Initiative
Blog
We support the Net Zero Carbon Events Initiative
The GDS-Movement has joined a host of supporters of this industry initiative to address and respond to climate change
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175 Views
Blog
The GDS-Movement aligns with other sector leaders and signs the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism
Blog
The GDS-Movement aligns with other sector leaders and signs the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism
The Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism brings together the latest research and global expertise to galvanise climate action. It is hosted within the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme’s website, and includes Recommended Actions for tourism stakeholders across the world to consider as part of their action planning.
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11 November 2021
156 Views
Blog
TIME FOR DMOcracy
Blog
TIME FOR DMOcracy
Over the next 12 months Group NAO, in association with Global Destinations Sustainability Movement , The Travel Foundation, TCI Research and European Cities Marketing, will engage in wide range research, case studies, master classes, learnings labs, boot camping and conferencing before delivering a white paper on public engagement in tourism in the summer of 2022.
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5 November 2021
155 Views
Blog
5 ways to win a bid for a big climate event
Blog
5 ways to win a bid for a big climate event
The business of big climate events is blooming. How can a destination maximise its chances of being chosen as the place to be? Take a leaf out of Glasgow's strategy tree.
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4 November 2021
161 Views
“The GDSM is a fantastic initiative that motivates and inspires our destination and stakeholders to engage in sustainable practices. It is a movement that meets destinations where they are and manages to consider the uniqueness and different prerequisites of the cities, its surroundings and its tourism operators. Besides that, it has given us a platform to monitor our progress and a place to showcase our successes and our position in the market in terms of sustainable tourism management.”
Victoria Barton - Project Manager, VisitAalborg
The GDSM is an inspiring gathering of destinations, driven by the same strong desire to become more sustainable. This powerful network of determined, highly-qualified professionals, helps us build a greener global industry. The benchmarking platform is an efficient tool to identify a destination's strength and its weaknesses, and improve its actions for the years to come.
Amélie Déchénais - Convention Bureau Manager, Bordeaux
The GDS-Index is a unique example of how collaboration, including the sharing of best practices and expertise, can improve performance of destinations for the benefit of both our clients and local communities. It has provided us with opportunities and inspiration that has helped position Copenhagen as a leader in sustainable practices.
Kit Lykketoft - Director of Convention, Copenhagen