Helsinki has achieved its target of being the world’s most sustainable destination. The Finnish capital was No. 1in the latest Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index, which was published on October 16, 2024.
The Global Destination Sustainability Index 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: in 2023, it was ranked No. 4.
“Being named the world's most sustainable travel destination is proof of the long-term work that has been done in Helsinki,” said Juhana Vartiainen, mayor of Helsinki. "We are developing and growing tourism sustainably together with tourism operators and local residents. The first place we have now achieved indicates that we are on the right path."
The GDS Index evaluates sustainability across four key areas: Destination Management, Supplier Performance, Environmental Performance and Social Performance. Helsinki has traditionally performed very well in the index, particularly in environmental performance at the city level. This year, Helsinki ranked first in Destination Management, Supplier Performance and Environmental Performance, while ranking second in Social Progress. The city invests in enhancing the social sustainability of tourism by supporting local businesses on their path to sustainability and increasing resources for the development of tourist destinations.
Added Nina Vesterinen, tourism director at the City of Helsinki: “International studies show that travelers 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."
Helsinki’s city strategy has set the goal of being the most sustainable and smartest tourist destination. Helsinki’s "Climate Action Plan for Tourism and Events" also outlines Helsinki’s goal of being at the top of the world in terms of sustainability, as verified by indexes and certifications. The goal has been to achieve the top spot in the GDS Index by 2025 at the latest.
In addition to tourism, Helsinki is committed to reducing emissions in all its activities. The city's goal is 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. The City of Helsinki has also invested in low-emission transport solutions: more than 30 percent of the bus fleet in the Helsinki region has been electrified, and over 18.6 miles of new tramways will be introduced in Helsinki over the next decade.
The City of Helsinki has several sustainability-related projects and measures underway. In terms of tourism, the most important of these are the development of inclusive tourism and additional investments in the participation of local residents in the development of tourism. The city measures the carbon footprint of tourism, promotes its "Climate Action Plan for Tourism" and supports tourism companies on the path of sustainable traveling. It is also interested in close collaboration with other tourist destinations on a national and international level.
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