Ranking and Results

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

The vibrant heart of Scandinavia. The cool and friendly little sister. Home to world-class restaurants, to diverse cultural scenes, sustainable living, and surrounded by beautiful nature. This is Gothenburg. We are a destination that wants to make an impact. Investing in sustainability is wise and aims to be a strong force for positive change. We also know that together, you go further. That’s why collaboration is a key element in our strategies and why we share our best practices freely to inspire other destinations. Gothenburg's approach to sustainability has through the years gained international recognition. The city has been the leader in the Global Destination Sustainability Index seven times 2016-2023 (no ranking was made in 2020) and was the European Capital of Smart Tourism in 2020. Lonely Planet also named it the world's Best Sustainable City Stay 2021. In April 2022, Gothenburg became one of the European Union’s 100 climate-neutral and smart cities – forerunner cities on a mission towards climate neutrality 2030. Gothenburg is also a European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Awards winner. With a vision of being fossil-independent by 2030, smart accessibility and mobility with 95 percent of public transport running on renewable energy, a sustainable tourism ecosystem with approximately 88 percent of environmentally certified hotel rooms, a strong legacy program for events and meetings, and a strive for a more circular economy, we have made sustainability our business.

In 2018, Copenhagen’s DMO, Wonderful Copenhagen launched its sustainability strategy ‘Tourism for Good’ with an ambition to ensure that tourism has a positive impact on local and global sustainable development. Contributing to the realisation of UN SDGs, the strategy consists of four focus areas: Broadening tourism, Tourism choices matter, Partnerships for good and Leading by example. The same year, the strategy won the ICCA Innovation Award. In the beginning of 2019, Wonderful Copenhagen became the first DMO to receive the Green Tourism Organization certification – a certification that focuses on supporting destinations and organisations that make an extra effort for sustainability.

The sustainability program for Destination Nord 2023-25 aligns with the national agenda for sustainable growth in Danish tourism. It aims to maintain Denmark's attractiveness as a tourist destination while fostering environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable growth. This entails transitioning Danish tourism towards a model that benefits businesses, tourists, local communities, culture, nature, and society at large. Destination Nord supports the national strategy by spearheading local tourism promotion efforts and creating optimal conditions for sustainable tourism development in Aalborg, Frederikshavn, Brønderslev, and Læsø municipalities. Additionally, it seeks to influence sustainable development across national tourism organizations, inter-municipal destination companies, and the business sector. Destination Nord’s purpose is to foster responsible development and have a significant positive impact on the economy, environment, and society. Sustainability is integrated into Destination Nord’s core business strategy, focusing on developing a new tourism geography based on unique landmarks, narratives, and initiatives that generate long-term business and sustainable growth through partnerships, branding, marketing, and knowledge sharing. Destination Nord’s sustainability ambitions encompass environmental, social, and economic aspects, guided by the principles of resilience and regenerative development. Destination Nord aims to contribute more to society than Destination Nord consumes, protecting and benefiting the local environment and culture. The strategy incorporates the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the ten principles of the UN Global Compact into Destination Nord’s three focus areas: environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Environmental Sustainability: Destination Nord monitors and reduces its environmental footprint internally and supports tourism stakeholders in transitioning to sustainable practices, with a focus on climate action and waste reduction. Social Sustainability: Destination Nord prioritizes human rights, diversity, and inclusion, aiming to create decent employment opportunities, promote safety, health, and well-being, and educate stakeholders on sustainability and diversity agendas. Economic Sustainability: Destination Nord works to achieve long-term economic growth while minimizing environmental impact and social inequality. Destination Nord support businesses in adopting circular practices, fostering innovation, and improving infrastructure. The sustainability efforts are overseen by the top management team and a cross-functional sustainability committee led by a Sustainability Manager, ensuring alignment with the organization's overall strategic direction and goals. Detailed action plans with short and long-term targets have been developed for environmental and social sustainability, aiming to make a positive difference in the local community and beyond.

Glasgow aims to be at the forefront on climate change with ambitions to become the UK's first carbon neutral city by 2030 and a world leading centre for sustainable policy and innovation. Glasgow has featured within the top 15 of the GDS-Index since it joined back in 2016. The ranking recognises the huge strides the city is making around driving forward systemic and cultural change which supports positive environmental and inclusive impact.

Tampere has been involved in the promotion of sustainable development commitments and cooperation ever since the local agenda work initiated in Rio in 1992. Tampere committed to the local implementation of the UN's 2030 Agenda goals in its City of Action strategy in 2021. The Tampere City Strategy lays the foundation for the city’s management and sustainability work. Strategy is based on recognised factors that will drive future changes, and represents the long-term goals of the city’s development from the present to 2030. Strategy's focus areas are equal individuals, active communities, climate neutral action and a pioneer of the future. In the strategy process, the key goals of the Agenda 2030 program were identified, and will be carried forward with the strategy's guidelines. At the same time city promotes the 2030 Agenda goals as a whole through city's strategic management system. Tampere compiled its first Voluntary Local Review on 2030 Agenda in May 2022. Development programmes are one way of putting the city's strategy into action. Examples of the major strategic changes Tampere pursues are climate neutrality by 2030, reducing the well-being gaps between its residents, strenghtening the experience economy and creative industries and sustainable city development through digital transformation. Visit Tampere’s goal is to minimize environmental effects of tourism and to strengthen the positive social, economic and cultural effects of tourism. We committed to achieving the City of Tampere’s goal of being carbon neutral by 2030 and carbon neutral tourism and events sector is our main strategic objective. We've signed the Glasgow Declaration Climate Action for Tourism. Our focus is in enabling a climate friendly visitor experience in Tampere and developing inspiring low carbon tourism mobility option and services together with companies. As a DMO we are part of Visit Finland's nationwide Sustainable Travel Finland programme and we actively promote it to our partners. The programme challenges companies to certify their business and provides comprehensive toolkit for sustainable tourism business development, marketing and management. Another important sustainability tool for companies is Think Sustainably service which is based on MyHelsinki Think Sustainably service. It encourages local companies to take steps towards climate-friendlier future and helps the locals and visitors to make sustainable choices. In addition to these we promote sustainability by training courses, events and communication with our partners and stakeholders. We see our natural environment, safety and sustainability as key elements of future success.

Actions speaks louder than words - and the climate changes require action! But to make the actions have an impact, a DMO cannot walk alone. In Aarhus we have formed a close, strategic collaboration between the key stakeholders (Aarhus University, the DMO, the Municipality and Aarhus Events). As a result a Green Handbook for Events and Conferences was published and is free and accessible to all. We believe that a hands-on approach combined with a strategic collaboration is the best way to act and to make an impact. It should not be difficult to choose a more sustainable option - it should be the natural choice. We hope our approach can inspire others!

Lyon got the European Capital of Smart Tourism 2019 award granted by the European Union. Bestowed for the very first time by the European Union, this competition honours this attractive, dynamic and accessible city's efforts to boost smart tourism thanks to trailblazing accomplishments in matter of digital innovations, environmental friendliness and the quality of life of its residents. The Lyon Metropole, all those involved in the tourist sector, including the inhabitants are committed to develop sustainable tourism to Lyon!

Belfast launched its Resilience Strategy, the city’s first climate plan in December 2020. It sets out 30 transformational programmes to transition Belfast to an inclusive, zero-emissions, climate-resilient economy within a generation. As the city’s Destination Marketing and Management Company, Visit Belfast continues to play a critical role in supporting Belfast’s ambition through leading delivery of sustainable tourism in partnership with Belfast City Council and our industry. Visit Belfast’s ‘New Horizon’s strategy 2024-2027’ and 2024-5 business plan is focussed on enhancing our efforts to: - Grow the visitor economy in the Belfast city region in an inclusive and sustainable way - Position the Belfast city region as a front of mind destination for leisure visits, business events and days out; - Enhance the experience for visitors by showcasing Belfast city region as a diverse and welcoming destination with a unique neighbourhood offer and; - Sustain its approach to championing sustainability, pioneering powerful impactful initiatives, inspiring sustainable choices amongst visitors and clients – and telling Belfast’s sustainability story.

Meet in Reykjavík is the official Convention Bureau for Iceland and Reykjavík City. Our mission is to help business event planners create an unforgettable event in a one-of-a-kind destination. Meet in Reykjavík is a part of Business Iceland, a public-private partnership established to lead the promotion and marketing of Iceland in foreign markets and stimulate economic growth through increased export.  A long-term strategy for Icelandic export industries was approved in 2019. The strategic goal for Icelandic tourism is to ensure sustainable and equitable growth in all regions that emphasizes quality and professionalism. Another important factor of the new strategy is commitment to a unified export brand for Icelandic export industries with the vision of Iceland to be recognized as a leading country in sustainability. The mission of the strategy is to develop clear branding for Iceland and Icelandic export industries and share true compelling stories to inspire trust in our capabilities and values. Our vision and mission is built on four interconnected brand pillars that create a circular brand story: Our nature has shaped our people, people innovate, innovation drives sustainability, which helps nature thrive. Meet in Reykjavík collaborate with Visit Reykjavík on the GDS Index. Visit Reykjavík is the official tourism organization for the Reykjavik greater city area. It was established in 2023 by six municipalities and the tourism industry. Visit Reykjavík promotes and develops the whole destination in a sustainable way, with a focus on increasing economic activity. Through collaboration with partners in the tourism, transportation, and cultural sectors, Visit Reykjavík enhances the visitor experience and showcases all that Reykjavík has to offer.

Ensuring Melbourne is a sustainable destination for business events is a key mission of Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB). We are committed to our role in securing business events for Melbourne that will have a positive social, environmental and economic impact for our city, and will reiterate our position globally as a safe, sustainable and innovative destination. MCB recognises that Melbourne has an unparalleled opportunity to embrace, promote and leverage our industry’s initiatives, efforts and programs focused on sustainability and ensure it is at the forefront of our client’s minds when hosting events in our city. But we can’t do it alone. Acting on sustainability will take commitment from everyone – government, the tourism and events industry, our association clients and delegates - but together we can achieve great things with a combination of big moves and small steps. This all-encompassing approach to sustainability is how we have formed our destination's sustainability plan and how we foresee having the most impact on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

Kerry is future focused and extremely proud to be Ireland’s leading Sustainable Tourism destination, ranking alongside key global MICE destinations in the Top 20 since 2019. Working in collaboration with our partners at Kerry Tourism Industry Federation, our participation in this global benchmarking tool enables us to drive progress in the sustainable development of Kerry by engaging industry stakeholders, local community, and government. .Kerry Convention Bureau is constantly striving to work with our members to innovate and improve on new ways to be greener than before, pushing to bring sustainability to the forefront of the industry and at the heart of what we do. We work closely with industry leading organisations both within Ireland and internationally to stay informed and ensure that we are adopting best practice, accessing current training opportunities and in turn, sharing these with our members. We are committed to working with all our industry partners across the region to promote sustainability within the MICE industry. Our objective is to make holding a green event in Kerry easy!

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The Turisme de Barcelona Consortium was founded in 1993 to promote the city as a tourist destination. Since then we have been working to offer a range of products and services aimed at individual tourists and the professional tourism sector. Our ability to make a positive contribution to society and the environment is always uppermost in our minds when carrying out our work. This is why we implement a series of measures that allow us to realise our commitment from the global perspective of sustainability, within the framework of corporate social responsibility. This fact sheet brings together our main ventures which are designed to improve the quality of tourism in the cultural, socio-economic and environmental fields. The sustainability program offers visitors products and services that will allow them to enjoy the city in a sustainable way: environmentally aware accommodation, hotels with recognised eco-certifications, travel agencies specialising in accessible tourism, spaces and services dedicated to sustainable events, city tours, restaurants and sustainable means of transport.

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Brisbane is a green city with an enviable subtropical climate and rich biodiversity. It is one of the fastest growing cities in Australia and is known for its vibrant urban precincts, outdoor lifestyle and friendly locals. Brisbane is the second city in the world to have attained Gold Level in the United Nations Habitat’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Cities Global Initiative, an exciting acknowledgement of the strides taken to protect and grow a sustainable city of the future. Initiatives that contribute to Brisbane’s success include investment in connected and low-emissions public transport networks, active transport bridges to connect footpaths and bikeways between the city and suburbs, and incentives to encourage the design of more energy efficient buildings across Brisbane. Demonstrating leadership in sustainability, Brisbane City Council’s Brisbane. Clean, Green, Sustainable strategy details the approach and actions to deliver a sustainable city now and for future generations. Brisbane Economic Development Agency is responsible for championing sustainable economic growth for the region and spearheads collaboration across the city.

As Germany’s capital, Berlin is a dynamic leader in advancing sustainable urban tourism and events. Renowned for its diversity, creativity, and progressive mindset, the city integrates sustainability at the core of its tourism development—balancing economic vitality with climate action, social equity, and local value creation. The destination’s sustainability approach is anchored in city-wide frameworks like the Sustainable and City-Compatible Tourism Plan and is reinforced by dedicated strategies for the tourism and MICE sectors. These are co-developed with stakeholders and aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. visitBerlin, the city’s DMO, plays a key role in implementing this vision through a comprehensive programme that supports sustainable business practices, empowers stakeholders through training and knowledge sharing, and promotes responsible event planning. Initiatives span certification, learning platforms, impact monitoring, and inclusive communications—making sustainability both accessible and actionable. Berlin’s forward-thinking approach also extends to legacy-driven events and collaborative policymaking, ensuring that major activities contribute positively to the city and its people. With abundant green spaces, efficient public transport, and a commitment to accessibility and innovation, Berlin is shaping a visitor economy where sustainability is not a niche but the guiding principle.

Nestled in the South-West of Ireland between the signature visitor experiences of Ireland’s Ancient East and the Wild Atlantic Way, Cork offers visitors an authentic experience, through our history, heritage, landmarks and landscape. Our reputation for high quality, artisan food and drink production, alongside a strong cultural, musical and artistic vibe, provide an extensive choice for the visitor experience. In order to preserve our social, environmental and economic heritage, stakeholders across the region are strongly committed to sustainability and the UN SDGs. Cork Convention Bureau (CCB) is the business tourism and events arm of the Visit Cork structure, which also includes the region’s ‘Pure Cork’ leisure destination brand. CCB seeks to lead the way for the tourism sector throughout the region, promoting and implementing environmental, economic and social sustainability programmes that will ensure a sustainable and regenerative future for the sector.

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Montréal is actively engaged in sustainable development through its Montréal 2030 strategic plan, built around four pillars: accelerating the ecological transition, strengthening solidarity and inclusion, amplifying participatory democracy, and fostering innovation. As the destination management organization, Tourisme Montréal plays a key role in this transformation through its Strategy for More Sustainable Tourism, which aims to balance the needs of residents and visitors while minimizing the environmental footprint of tourism activities.