The Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index) is an index score that measures how sustainable global travel destinations are based on a series of criteria, such as environmental performance and sustainable development goals. In 2024, Helsinki in Finland recorded the highest score, with a GDS-Index of 92.43. That year, seven out of the 15 leading destinations in the ranking were cities in Nordic countries.
Leading sustainable travel destinations worldwide in 2024
(index score)
travel destinations that are members of the GDS-Index
Supplementary notes
The 2024 Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index) measured the sustainability of 99 travel destinations worldwide based on the following performance indicators developed by the source: City Environmental Performance, City Social Performance, Supplier Performance, Destination Management Performance.
These indicators are based on qualitative data related to a series of sustainable topics and concepts, such as recycling/landfilling rates, percentages of third-party certified hotel rooms, and the existence of a destination sustainability strategy.
Destinations were then ranked based on their performance in each indicator and assigned a score. The total score, given by the sum of the points received in each performance indicator, is based on a 100-scale, with 100 being the maximum score.
The number of destinations analyzed per region was as follows: Northern Europe = 43, Central and Southern Europe = 27, North America = 18, Asia-Pacific = 11.
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GDS-Index. (October 16, 2024). Leading sustainable travel destinations worldwide in 2024 (index score) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved April 20, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1498948/leading-sustainable-travel-destinations-worldwide/
GDS-Index. "Leading sustainable travel destinations worldwide in 2024 (index score)." Chart. October 16, 2024. Statista. Accessed April 20, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1498948/leading-sustainable-travel-destinations-worldwide/
GDS-Index. (2024). Leading sustainable travel destinations worldwide in 2024 (index score). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: April 20, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1498948/leading-sustainable-travel-destinations-worldwide/
GDS-Index. "Leading Sustainable Travel Destinations Worldwide in 2024 (Index Score)." Statista, Statista Inc., 16 Oct 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1498948/leading-sustainable-travel-destinations-worldwide/
GDS-Index, Leading sustainable travel destinations worldwide in 2024 (index score) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1498948/leading-sustainable-travel-destinations-worldwide/ (last visited April 20, 2025)
Leading sustainable travel destinations worldwide in 2024 (index score) [Graph], GDS-Index, October 16, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1498948/leading-sustainable-travel-destinations-worldwide/