en
X
ar Arabic zh-CN Chinese (Simplified) da Danish nl Dutchen Englishfi Finnishfr Frenchde Germanit Italianja Japaneseko Koreanno Norwegianpt Portugueseru Russiansl Slovenianes Spanishth Thai
GDS-Consulting
Does your sustainability strategy need help?
Let us support your competitive edge!
Find out more Enquire now
GDS-Index
2021 Results
Destination sustainability performance
2021 results Top 20 destinations
GDS-Index
Regeneration now!
Be counted and manage what you measure
Learn More Contact Us
GDS-Academy
Learn with us!
Learn new skillsets, tool sets and mindsets
Learn More
GDS-Academy
Certificate in Regenerative Destination Management
Learn to transform the visitor economy. Positively.
Read more
The GDS-Index
Methodology
Supporting a more regenerative tourism and meetings industry
View our Methodology
Advanced Search
Search and compare destinations' sustainability ranking and performance
Advanced Search
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.
Find out more
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.
Find out more
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.
Find out more
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.
Find out more
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.
Find out more
Find your sustainableDestination
No destination found
Latest Insights
Blog
WINnovation 2021
Blog
WINnovation 2021
5 ways to win at Innovation in Business & Leisure Tourism (and a quiz)
Read more
3 December 2021
238 Views
Blog
How’s your sustainability strategy, really?
Blog
How’s your sustainability strategy, really?
If your destination is feeling the pressure that's also on people and planet, we can support you to exponentially improve your positive impact and visitor experience.
Read more
2 December 2021
435 Views
Blog
We are hiring!
Blog
We are hiring!
The GDS-Movement is looking for 3 passionate professionals with experience / interest in the tourism and meetings industry. APPLY NOW!
Read more
26 November 2021
2668 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
Read more
16 November 2021
371 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
Read more
330 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.
Read more
11 November 2021
380 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