GDS-Index 2025 named Helsinki a leader in sustainable tourism. Learn about top destinations, global trends and why travel is becoming responsible

The Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index) is celebrating its 10th anniversary, taking stock of a decade of progress in sustainable tourism. Each year, the index ranks the world’s 40 best destinations in terms of sustainability, allowing cities and countries to compare their achievements in the areas of ecology, resource management and social responsibility. This year’s theme is “Changing the Tide”, symbolizing the global shift in the tourism industry towards more sustainable practices.

Over the decade since 2016, index participants have shown consistent performance growth. The average score across all destinations increased by 31%, while the top ten increased by 46%. Even in 2025, which is still characterized by economic uncertainty, tourist cities have been able to maintain momentum and continue their progress in sustainable development.

Read about the winners of the 2025 GDS-Index in this article.

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Helsinki – the leader in sustainable tourism

For the second year in a row, Helsinki, the capital of Finland, leads the rating, showing a result of 93.52%. The city has consolidated its status as a leader in the field of renewable tourism and events, ending the coal era and becoming the first major European capital with the “Green Destinations” certificate.

Helsinki’s sustainable development covers all aspects of its tourism infrastructure. Almost all hotels with more than 50 rooms have been certified (99%), all conference centers are certified, and 80% of the city’s main attractions meet sustainable development standards. This is underpinned by a detailed climate action plan that measures emissions, manages risks and prepares for future climate challenges.

Helsinki is a leading example of a systems approach to sustainable tourism, focusing not only on environmental aspects but also on the management of tourism activities, infrastructure and communication with visitors. This creates the conditions in which tourism can develop without harming the environment and the local community.

Top 3 destinations in the world leading sustainable tourism in 2025

Helsinki is joined by two other Scandinavian cities:

- Gothenburg, Sweden – 91.51%;

- Copenhagen, Denmark – 88.76%

While Scandinavia has traditionally shown high sustainability performance, the gap between the top ten and the average of the entire index has narrowed from 23.2% to 20.3%, indicating significant progress in many other destinations around the world.

Adelaide is the most progressive destination for sustainable tourism

Adelaide (Australia) is particularly noteworthy in 2025, having risen 23 places in just its second year of participation in the GDS-Index. This success is due to a comprehensive climate strategy until 2030 and the launch of the first sustainability roadmap.

The city has made significant strides in environmental protection, supply chain management and emission reduction. Adelaide Airport became the first in Australia to achieve carbon neutrality in terms of its direct emissions. This approach allows the city not only to improve its ranking, but also to increase its attractiveness to tourists who prefer environmentally responsible holidays.

Other destinations with notable progress include Krakow (Poland) and Malvern (UK). Their success demonstrates that significant improvement is possible even in a short time with a clear strategy and a systematic approach.

GDS-Index Top 40 2025 Dynamics and Global Trends

The GDS-Index Top 40 2025 is more competitive than ever. Nine new destinations have entered the ranking and the gap between the top and bottom positions has narrowed, indicating rising sustainability standards around the world.

Key trends in the GDS-Index 2025 include

- Accelerating climate action: The proportion of destinations reporting sector-specific actions has increased from 54% to 77%. Over 22% of tourist destinations have signed the UN Tourism Department’s Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action.

- Certification is becoming the norm: 81% of hotels in the top 10 are certified for sustainability, up from 66% in 2016. Half of the organizations in the top 10 are already certified for their sustainability practices.

- From Intention to Action: 32% of tourism destinations have improved their environmental and cultural heritage impact, and the percentage of cities without sustainability programs has decreased from 35% in 2021-2024 to 23.5% in 2025.

Regional leaders in sustainable tourism

Global leadership in sustainability is not limited to Europe.

- Northern Europe: Helsinki (93.52%);

- Central and Southern Europe: Lyon (84.40%);

- Asia-Pacific: Melbourne (83.03%);

- North America: Montreal (79.82%).

This shows that commitment to sustainable tourism is becoming a global trend, with more and more cities actively implementing changes in their infrastructure and tourism services.

The GDS-Index 2025 demonstrates that sustainable tourism is becoming an increasingly systematic and measurable process. Leaders such as Helsinki, Gothenburg and Copenhagen exemplify an integrated approach that combines environmental responsibility, infrastructure development and tourism management. Fast-growing cities such as Adelaide prove that even in a short time, significant results can be achieved with a clear strategy.

These data confirm that the global tourism destination community is increasingly moving from ambition to concrete action. Certification, emission measurement and integrated planning are becoming the new standard, and cities that actively implement sustainable development gain a competitive advantage in the tourism market.

Why should you plan your trips responsibly?

Sustainable tourism is becoming not only a trend today, but also the new norm for travel. Cities and countries included in the GDS-Index prove that travel can be comfortable for tourists and at the same time safe for the environment.

The travel guide from Visit World will help you prepare for your trip: visa rules, transport tips, local features, useful contacts. With such a guide, you will avoid unnecessary difficulties and be able to fully focus on your travel impressions.

Reminder! Are you planning an unforgettable trip to Ireland? We have already told you everything you need to know for a trip to Ireland in 2025: current entry rules, tourist visa application, list of documents, tips on transport, currency and carrying things. A complete guide for travelers planning to discover a green island country.

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