Considering how we grow amidst the threats facing destinations, we have decided to reach for the opportunity to upgrade and extend our programme. This is why we have launched the Global Destination Sustainability Movement.

The Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index), announces growth, launches the 2020 criteria, and opens the benchmarking period for business tourism and events cities. The new 2020 criteria incorporate 69 qualitative and quantitative parameters to map, measure and benchmark sustainability.

Montréal – host of World Environment Day 2020 – becomes the first Canadian city to join the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index). The GDS-Index is delighted that Montréal has chosen such a significant day to announce its membership of the global performance improvement program.

The Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index), MCI and JCS join forces to accelerate the national goal of creating a regenerative tourism and events industry. Japan has a long-standing culture of living harmoniously with nature, and has pushed for long-term commitments for global sustainability since decades.

In order for the tourism and events industry to successfully forge a new path, we must not only strengthen links with local communities, but also integrate long term measures that will enable us to be prepared and step up for society when the next natural or man-made disaster, or pandemic comes knocking.