Helsinki has been designated the world’s most sustainable travel destination, ranking number one in the latest Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index.
The Global Destination Sustainability Index , published on 16 October 2024, measures the sustainability of travel destinations in four different categories using more than 70 indicators.
The comparison includes more than a hundred cities throughout the world that have invested in sustainability. Helsinki has performed well in the GDS Index in the past: ranking fourth in 2023.
“Being named the world’s most sustainable travel destination is proof of the long-term work that has been done in Helsinki. We are developing and growing tourism sustainably together with tourism operators and local residents. Achieving this ‘first place’ indicates that we are on the right path,” commented Juhana Vartiainen, mayor of Helsinki.
The GDS Index evaluates sustainability across four key areas: Destination Management, Supplier Performance, Environmental Performance, and Social Performance. Helsinki has traditionally scored very well for environmental performance at the city level. This year, Helsinki ranked first in Destination Management, Supplier Performance, and Environmental Performance, and second in Social Progress.
“International studies show that travellers are increasingly looking for more sustainable services and destinations. There will no doubt be increasing demand for the world’s most sustainable tourist destination in the future,” says Nina Vesterinen, the city’s tourism director.
Helsinki’s Climate Action Plan for Tourism and Events also outlines city’s goal of being at the top of the world in terms of sustainability.
Helsinki is also committed to reducing emissions in all its activities, with a goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. Carbon neutrality targets will be achieved especially by increasing the share of renewable energy in heat and electricity production, as well as energy efficiency measures in buildings. More than 30% of the bus fleet in the Helsinki region has been electrified, and over 30 kilometres of new tramways will be introduced in Helsinki over the next decade.
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