The Global Destination Sustainability Index 2025: Results and Highlights

The Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index) has published its 2025 results, showcasing the 40 leading destinations worldwide in terms of sustainability performance. For the second consecutive year, Helsinki secures first place with a remarkable score of 93.52%.

The Finnish capital continues to demonstrate strong climate commitments, sustainable tourism infrastructure, and extensive adoption of certifications by hotels, convention centers, and attractions.

Helsinki Retains the Top Spot in the Global Destination Sustainability Index

In 2025, Helsinki also earned the Global Destination Sustainability Index Green Destinations certificate, further strengthening its reputation as a pioneer in sustainable tourism. Mayor Daniel Sazonov emphasized the city’s commitment, stating:

“Our goal is to continue making Helsinki a welcoming destination for a growing number of travelers. Being recognized as the world’s most sustainable tourist destination for the second year in a row demonstrates that our work is bearing fruit.”

Northern Europe Leads the Rankings

The podium is dominated by Northern European cities. Gothenburg, Sweden, ranks second with a score of 91.51%, while Copenhagen, Denmark, takes third place in the Global Destination Sustainability Indexwith 88.76%. These cities have consistently performed strongly in sustainability, highlighting the region’s ongoing commitment to environmental and social responsibility in tourism.

Adelaide Emerges as a Rising Star

While Northern Europe leads overall, Adelaide stands out as the fastest-rising destination. In just two years, the Australian city climbed 23 places in the ranking. This success is largely credited to the adoption of the Integrated Climate Strategy 2030 and the implementation of a sustainability roadmap for the destination.

A key achievement includes Adelaide Airport becoming the first airport in Australia to achieve carbon neutrality for direct emissions. Such milestones underline the city’s progress and its growing role as a model for sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Methodological Updates in 2025

The 2025 edition of the GDS-Index introduced significant methodological improvements designed to make assessments more precise and useful for destination managers. In collaboration with BeCause and Murmuration, the index now incorporates independent third-party data such as satellite monitoring and hotel certifications.

Certification requirements have been updated to align with internationally recognized standards, including the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and Travalyst. Additionally, the evaluation scope has broadened to address issues such as accessibility and the management of short-term rentals, providing a more comprehensive overview of sustainability practices.

With these refinements, the Global Destination Sustainability Index continues to serve as a key benchmark for destinations aiming to improve their sustainability performance and inspire global best practices.

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(Featured image by Tapio Haaja via Unsplash)

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