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 2024 GDS-Index comprises 77 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.
Visit Skellefteå sustainability strategy is connected to the development strategy Skellefteå 2030 and the long-term overall goals for the destination. The strategy describes how the tourism industry and the DMO should proceed towards 2030 to contribute to the overall goals for the destination. The development must be sustainable and focusing on what is best for the inhabitants. The starting point is the vision” A sustainable place for a better everyday life”. Skellefteå is a sustainable destination that takes responsibility for future generations. There is a drive and a will to constantly evolve, and we do it with respect for our environment, our inhabitants, and our assets.
Does Visit Skellefteå have a Sustainability Strategy?
Does Skelleftea have a sustainable destination certificate?
Does Visit Skellefteå report on its sustainability performance?
Skellefteå offers many of the great benefits of being a sustainable destination with access to 100% renewable energy, close proximity to nature, and companies at the forefront of recycling, automatization, electrification, and green building techniques. 7,174 km, Skellefteå is Sweden's largest coastal municipality in terms of area. Just over 77,000 inhabitants live here. The city, the cultural area and nature form a diversity of environments. Changing seasons and varied climates create unique experiences. Here is a strong industrial tradition that has gradually developed into new sustainable industries and here is also a Sami cultural-historical landscape. In Skellefteå, we think sustainably - in research and around wooden houses, in energy supply and biogas production, in mining as a prerequisite for battery production, in the creative industries and in the IT sector. With Northvolt's battery factory, Arctic Center of Energy as a global competence center that accelerates the electrification of society, the Arctic Aviation Hub with the green flight academy, the new droneport and our airport as test bed for electric-powered commuter aviation new sustainable solutions will also emerge and spread to the world.
OF ELECTRICITY
FROM RENEWABLES
THE CITY’S
2030 CARBON
REDUCTION TARGET
HECTARES OF GREEN
AREA PER 100 000
POPULATION
Skellefteå's sustainable event program aims to strengthen the destination as a sustainable event and meeting destination and to create an atmosphere of an attractive, visionary and equal place. Targeted priorities: The event organizer makes sustainable choices in relation to economic, social och environmental sustainability. The organizer aims to influence visitors to make sustainbale choices The organizer communicates sustainable initiatives to visitors and partners The event has a diversity perspective in consideration The event is accessible for everyone. The event gives young and volounteers a documented competence development The event helps to broaden and develop competence and knowledge of organizers The event increases cooperation between individuals, institutions, companies and organisations in the regions. The event organizer works towards an event of high quality The organizer presents a realistic budget with possibilities to a long-term development.
OF HOTEL ROOMS
SUSTAINABILITY
CERTIFIED
OF VENUES
SUSTAINABILITY
CERTIFIED
OF PCOS/DMCS
SUSTAINABILITY
CERTIFIED
Skellefteå, as part of the EU Region Övre Norrland tops the list of EU’s social progress index. Skellefteå grows with new competences, businesses and industries which secure the jobs and welfare of tomorrow. Our society is inclusive and benefits from all individuals. We create an attractive place together. Skellefteå offers a better everyday life for all. Closeness and simplicity bring the puzzle of life together. A strong welfare, a growing labour market and the fact that the countryside and city are connected offer safety, tranquillity, faith in the future and exciting development possibilities Everyone is welcomed into our community where trust, courage and openness go hand in hand.
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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