The Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDSM) has announced the top five finalists for this year’s GDS-Index, which ranks the sustainability efforts of over 100 destinations worldwide. Gothenburg, ranked number one since 2016, is once again a finalist. The final ranking will be announced on 16 October in Bruges.
Peter Grönberg, CEO of Göteborg & Co, the official destination management organisation of the City of Gothenburg, comments: “We are incredibly proud to once again be among the leading destinations in the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index). This is a strong recognition of our long-standing commitment to sustainability and highlights the tireless efforts of all our stakeholders. They play a crucial role in developing our destination, where sustainable development of world-class tourism and events contributes to long-term positive impact and legacies. We are inspired to continue pushing boundaries and deepening our collaborative work within the destination.”
The Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDSI) is a comparative ranking initiated in 2016 by the Global Destination Sustainability Movement. Gothenburg has so far consistently held the top position.
The Leadership Award is presented to the destination that best meets the Global Destination Sustainability Index comparison criteria. The ranking comprises around 80 criteria, measuring sustainability in all ecological, social, and economic dimensions. To rank highly, not just the tourism industry, such as venues and hotels, but also how the city as a whole addresses sustainability issues must be engaged. Gothenburg stands as one of five finalists, alongside Copenhagen, Aarhus, Bergen, and Helsinki.
Gothenburg is also a finalist for the Impact Award with its submission “Gothenburg Way to Legacy.” This framework, developed by Göteborg & Co, aims to create long-term effects from meetings and events for sustainable destination development. One example is using the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship as a tool to promote inclusion and health in ice hockey, creating positive societal impacts long after the event has concluded.
The final results will be announced on 16 October, and the awards will be presented at the annual City DNA conference in Bruges.
