The GDS-Movement unites and enables destination management professionals to create flourishing and resilient places to visit, meet and live in. Our mission is to co-create sustainable and circular strategies, mindsets and skill sets that will enable destinations of the future to thrive, and society and nature to regenerate.
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 60 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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Find your sustainableDestination
Latest Insights
Blog
Valencia continues its outstanding commitments to a regenerative future and joins the GDS-Index
Blog
Valencia's sustainable tourism strategy is setting the course for the destination’s ambitious targets, that include becoming the leaders for carbon measurement in southern Europe.
12 February 2021
327 Views
Blog
Skellefteå, Sweden increases its commitment to sustainable transformation by joining the GDS-Index.
Blog
In order to manage an influx of up to 20 000 more people in the next two decades a sustainable strategy is vital.
5 February 2021
253 Views
Blog
Destination Tirol commits to sustainable transformation – powered by the GDS Movement
Blog
Austria’s number one tourist destination, the province of Tirol, will place sustainable and regenerative solutions at the heart of its business plan, by co-creating its new sustainability strategy with its stakeholders and participating in the GDS-Index.
1 February 2021
200 Views
Blog
Lima celebrates its 486th anniversary and joins the GDS-Movement
Blog
On this momentous occasion for the city the future looks bright. Working together with the GDS-Movement the plan is to map out a restorative future by developing a strategy that will enable a resilient and equitable system. It will act as an engine to drive the recovery of the sector and prepare for long-term qualitative growth benefiting all interest groups.
18 January 2021
503 Views
Blog
En su 486º aniversario Lima anuncia el impulso de una estrategia de sostenibilidad a largo plazo, para restaurar y revitalizar su sector turístico y empresarial.
Blog
El Movimiento Global de Sostenibilidad de Destinos (GDS-Movement) se complace en anunciar que Perú creará un marco de estrategias sostenibles y regenerativas para guiar al destino hacia un nuevo futuro, donde el bienestar y la calidad de vida de los residentes y visitantes estén en equilibrio y sea económicamente inclusivo, comenzando con Lima como primera ciudad.
402 Views
Blog
Tourism taxes – what can they offer in a time of crises?
Blog
Presenting a summary of the ground breaking research led by Group Nao and the GDS-Movement which explores how tourism taxation can be designed to support recovery and the long-term development of a more resilient and regenerative tourism economy.
12 January 2021
251 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
The GDS-Movement unites and enables destination management professionals to create flourishing and resilient places to visit, meet and live in. Our mission is to co-create sustainable and circular strategies, mindsets and skill sets that will enable destinations of the future to thrive, and society and nature to regenerate.