The GDS-Index is a destination-level programme that measures, benchmarks, and improves the sustainability strategy and performance of tourism and events destinations.
The GDS-Index is aligned with international standards; UN SDGs, GSTC Destination Criteria, UNWTO.
Click here to read more about the benchmarking methodology including data collection and verification, the four benchmarking categories, governance and criteria development and performance scoring methods.
This page highlights each destinations sustainability journey and will showcase their journey.
The 2023 GDS-Index comprises 69 indicators across four categories. Here is the total score and the score for the four categories for this destination.
Environmental
Social
Supplier
Destination Management Organisation
Environmental
Includes a city's performance pertaining to its policies and infrastructure, such as climate change commitment, carbon emissions, renewable energies, resource and water management, public transport, and air pollution levels.
Social
Indicates the performance of the city against indicators of SDG integration, Corruption, Personal Safety, Access to Information and Communications, Health and Wellness, and Inclusivity, using external sources such as the Social Progress Imperative Index, and Corruption Perceptions Index.
Supplier
Addresses the sustainability commitment and performance of the local meetings' industry supply chain, including airports, events agencies, hotels, venues, and restaurants.
Destination Management Organisation
Indicates the sustainability commitment, including questions pertaining to maturity of a destination's sustainability and regeneration strategy, leadership, communication of sustainability initiatives (to support client planners), and the accuracy of their reporting on sustainability operations.
Between vineyard and ocean, Bordeaux is the gateway to the South West and the epitome of the sweetness of life. Known for being a jewel of 18th century architecture, the city has reinvented itself in recent years to become a destination of choice for leisure tourism and professional events. Wine, cannelés, oysters... Our specialties make Bordeaux a true symbol of the French way of life. Bordeaux is also the breeding ground for a trendy alternative culture that jostles the "Port of the Moon". For many years, we have been committed to sustainable tourism, as part of our constant concern for our quality of welcome and for the sustainable development of our territory. The Bordeaux Tourist Office is ISO 20121 certified for its sustainable management, including in the organisation of the Bordeaux Wine Festival. In 2021, we launched the "Agora for tourism in Bordeaux" programme: an open governance to co-build our long-term strategy with our residents and stakeholders.
Does Bordeaux Tourism & Conventions have a Sustainability Strategy?
Does Bordeaux have a sustainable destination certificate?
Does Bordeaux Tourism & Conventions report on its sustainability performance?
The Bordeaux Tourist Office has been ISO 20121 certified since June 2021 for its sustainable management, including in the organisation of the Bordeaux Wine Festival. Bordeaux is boosting its environmental objectives in its new Climate Plan, setting a target of carbon neutrality by 2050. The city is also committed to use 100% renewable and recovered energy by this date and halving pollutant emissions. A vulnerability study has been used to draw up an adaptation strategy for climate change. In tourism, it implies in particular to reduce the destination’s waste and carbon footprint and preserve our natural resources. We have also developed a programme to increase the sustainable skills of local tourism and events actors.
OF ELECTRICITY
FROM RENEWABLES
OF WASTE
RECYCLED
HECTARES OF GREEN
AREA PER 100 000
POPULATION
We want to lead eco-responsible transitions in our territory, inspiring all the other local players – already active in this field. All of the Bordeaux Congress and Exhibition facilities (Beam) have ISO 20121 certification. They also count with the largest solar power plant in an urban area in France (20 hectares). 32% of local tourism and events companies are ecocertified and 75% of the vineyards, which counts with many venues, was already certified in an environmental approach in 2020. The Bordeaux Convention Bureau team has completely adapted its support to offer dedicated advice on reducing the environmental footprint of events and building a lasting local legacy for all event organisers.
OF HOTEL ROOMS
SUSTAINABILITY
CERTIFIED
OF VENUES
SUSTAINABILITY
CERTIFIED
OF PCOS/DMCS
SUSTAINABILITY
CERTIFIED
Involving local residents in tourism is at the heart of the new participative governance (agora-tourism-bordeaux.com). Tourism and events must be the driving forces contributing to a better quality of life for residents. Regular workshops report on what has been achieved and provide an open forum for discussion with our entire ecosystem. Many actions are being undertaken to make Bordeaux a more accessible and inclusive destination. A local tourism offer is dedicated to residents, with a solidarity component for people in precarious situations. In partnership with specialised associations, the offer for people with disabilities is being expanded and communication adapted. A new guide for the disabled was published in 2023 to promote this offer.
The GDS-Movement is a pioneering, data-driven international change agency that acts to catalyse socio-economic and environmental transformation in cities and regions across the world. Our mission is to empower tourism and events professionals with the mindsets, skill sets, and toolsets to co-create more regenerative and resilient destinations to visit, meet, and live in.
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