Design a thriving future for people and places
Regenerate your Event and Destination
In collaboration with over 100 forward-thinking municipalities, destination management organisations, and convention bureaux, we are redefining the future of destinations tourism and events for more smart, sustainable cities. Our approach shifts the scope and scale of sustainability performance by transforming the value chains and mindsets of sustainable travel destinations.
Together, we practise more regenerative destination management. A regenerative destination uses a balanced, living-systems approach to developing and managing a flourishing and equitable visitor economy. It aims to use tourism and events to transform environmental, social, and economic problems. It aims to restore and rejuvenate communities, their people, and place, rather than degrade or merely sustain conditions. It is community-centric, inspired by nature, inclusive, and circular by design.
Guided by nature-inspired principles that nurture and protect, we provide a wide range of services for organisations focused on sustainable travel and regenerative tourism including consulting, benchmarking, education, training, and impact measurement.
How can we help you on your regenerative journey? Click below
Strategy
Impact
Communication
Social Innovation
Research
Events
GDS-Academy
Positive Change through Immersive Learning
Are you ready to lead the way towards a kinder, healthier, more inclusive future for the visitor economy? We are here to empower you with the mindset, skill set, and toolsets to achieve this through more sustainable tourism at the pace and scale required for a rapidly-changing world.
We use collaboration, experiential learning, and a deep understanding of living systems thinking. We share comprehensive frameworks and real-world examples to foster a dynamic learning environment. Here, professionals like you can create, innovate, and grow through our event management courses and storytelling courses while developing the capabilities to drive transformative change. Unleash your potential and join the GDS-Academy!
Partners in Regeneration
Here is what clients we’ve worked closely with have to say.
Kit Lykketoft
Director of Convention, Wonderful Copenhagen
Peter De Wilde
CEO, VisitFlanders
"The GDS-Index helps us in many different ways. It allows us to hold a mirror up to ourselves and look objectively at the strengths and weaknesses of our activities in the area of sustainability. In addition, through the benchmarking option, we can learn a lot from other destinations and destination organisations. The GDS-Index is, therefore, both an evaluation and inspiration tool for us. It stimulates us to continue working on sustainability and the flourishing of our destination and organisation."
Inspiration Hub
An exciting collection of case studies and best practises for you to replicate, adapt, and scale.
Explore the award-winning city where innovation and sustainability convene to transform tourism and events from inside, home to GDS-Forum’s very first instance.
An overview of our efforts to date supporting more regenerative destinations to visit, meet, and live in.
An overview of this year’s destination sustainability achievements recognition coming up on 4 October with four fantastic awards.
Our team of changemakers is growing. Are you a sustainable events consulting superhero? Apply today!
The exhibition is emerging as the first in the Mexican meetings industry to apply sustainable practices home to GDS-Forum’s very first instance.
Here’s how resident engagement can contribute to more sustainable tourism.
"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."