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.
Citation formats
GDS-Index: leading sustainable travel destinations worldwide 2024
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 . That year, out of the 15 leading destinations in the ranking were cities in Nordic countries.
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GDS-Index. (October 16, 2024). Leading sustainable travel destinations worldwide in 2024 (index score) [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved August 01, 2026, from /statistics/1498948/leading-sustainable-travel-destinations-worldwide/
GDS-Index. "Leading sustainable travel destinations worldwide in 2024 (index score)." Chart. October 16, 2024. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed August 01, 2026. /statistics/1498948/leading-sustainable-travel-destinations-worldwide/
GDS-Index. (2024). Leading sustainable travel destinations worldwide in 2024 (index score). ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: August 01, 2026. /statistics/1498948/leading-sustainable-travel-destinations-worldwide/
GDS-Index. "Leading Sustainable Travel Destinations Worldwide in 2024 (Index Score)." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 16 Oct 2024, /statistics/1498948/leading-sustainable-travel-destinations-worldwide/
GDS-Index, Leading sustainable travel destinations worldwide in 2024 (index score) ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1498948/leading-sustainable-travel-destinations-worldwide/ (last visited August 01, 2026)
Leading sustainable travel destinations worldwide in 2024 (index score) [Graph], GDS-Index, October 16, 2024. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1498948/leading-sustainable-travel-destinations-worldwide/
