For the second year in a row, Helsinki has been ranked first in the Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index.

The international Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index measures the sustainability of tourist destinations in four different categories based on more than 70 indicators. Over a hundred cities around the world committed to sustainability are included in the comparison. This is the second consecutive year that Helsinki has topped the ranking.

“Helsinki is investing in sustainable growth in tourism. Our aim is to make Helsinki a welcoming destination for a steadily rising number of travellers. Being the world’s most sustainable tourist destination for the second year in a row shows that our work for tourism and its sustainability is paying off,” commented Mayor of Helsinki Daniel Sazonov.

Helsinki’s sustainability as a tourist destination is the result of cooperation between many operators. For example, the increasing number of companies with environmental certifications and the more climate-friendly production of district heating and electricity have helped Helsinki reach the top of the list.

In addition to the GDS Index, Helsinki has also performed well in other international assessments of sustainable tourism this year. In March, Helsinki became the first city with over half a million residents to be awarded the Green Destinations GSTC certification.

The City of Helsinki has several sustainability-related projects and measures underway. It already measures the carbon footprint of tourism, promotes the measures of Helsinki’s climate roadmap for tourism and supports tourism businesses on the path of sustainable tourism. Ensuring the participation and wellbeing of residents is also an important factor in the development of sustainable tourism.

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