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Helsinki, Finland

Contact: Jukka Punamaki

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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.

Performance Overview

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.

Total

0%

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.

Sustainability Journey

Summary
Environmental
Supplier
Social

Helsinki's goal is to be an international pioneer and provider of solutions in sustainable tourism and events

Does City of Helsinki have a Sustainability Strategy?

Does Helsinki have a sustainable destination certificate?

Does City of Helsinki report on its sustainability performance?

Helsinki is committed to sustainability in all its activities. According to many international indicators, Helsinki and tourism, as well as events as part of it, are doing well in terms of sustainable development. Sustainability is developed from an ecological, socio-cultural and economic perspective. Promoting sustainable destinations and activities requires strengthening the positive effects and minimising the negative effects. It should be noted that sustainability and growth are not opposites of each other. Culturally, socially, ecologically and economically responsible choices can achieve growth in the profitability of business operations, for instance. Sustainable growth and renewal will become a reality if public and private actors and consumers change their practices responsibly and on a long-term basis. Succeeding in this also requires systematic planning, measuring, monitoring, communication and support for companies and other operators on the path towards certification and continuous development of operations. As a pioneer in the sustainability of tourism and events and a solver of future challenges, Helsinki can achieve significant competitive advantage. This also supports the economic development priority of developing business that solves globally relevant problems.

51%

OF ELECTRICITY
FROM RENEWABLES

49%

OF WASTE
RECYCLED

9339 ha

HECTARES OF GREEN
AREA PER 100 000
POPULATION

Helsinki has only one programme, the Helsinki tourism and events programme 2022-2026. For Helsinki it is integral that these sectors work closely together as they are more often than not one and the same. Additionally, sustainability should not be considered as something separate from the "real strategy". Sustainability is encompassed in all actions, hence only one programme.

88%

OF HOTEL ROOMS
SUSTAINABILITY
CERTIFIED

100%

OF VENUES
SUSTAINABILITY
CERTIFIED

40%

OF PCOS/DMCS
SUSTAINABILITY
CERTIFIED

Helsinki was second on the European Union Access City Awards in 2022 and third in the European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Awards. This gives a solid background in order to develop DEI in accordance to the Helsinki Tourism Inclusivity Programme.

INCLUSION SCORE ON SOCIAL PROGESS INDEX

PERSONAL SAFETY SCORE ON SOCIAL PROGESS INDEX

SCORE ON CORRUPTION PERCEPTION INDEX

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