2019 Global Destination Sustainability Index and Awards Released

October 30, 2019   |   Houston, U.S.A.

IMAGE: GDS-Index

Annika Hallman Director at Gothenburg Convention Bureau shares: “The GDS-Index has been a powerful lever in our sustainability work. It has helped us to improve performance and inspire others to become more sustainable. We have lectured and received study visits from other cities and used our top position to drive the sustainable development of the global  meeting industry, as well as strengthening Gothenburg's profile as a leading congress and convention destination”.

The 2019 GDS-Index results demonstrate that DMOs are in action on sustainability with a 29% increase in terms of overall performance from 2018. New destinations who advanced into the top 10 included Aalborg and Dublin, with significant jumps in performance for Glasgow, Sydney and Zurich.

2019 GDS-Index Awards

The 2019 GDS-Index Awards were announced simultaneously to honour the sustainability performance, innovation and improvement of the destinations.

The judging panel, made up of six industry experts, selected Sydney to win the GDS-Index Innovation Award for its outstanding “Sustainable Destination Partnership”; a multi-stakeholder collaboration that has resulted in the environmental foot-printing of the Sydney hospitality sector, then the co-creation of a pioneering strategy to achieve a 70% reduction in carbon emissions and divert 90% of its waste by 2030. The jury was also impressed by the joint second place projects presented by Wonderful Copenhagen for its Stakeholder Engagement programme and the Green Supply Chains initiative of Ljubljana Tourism.

Richard Yore from Business Events Sydney receiving the 2019 GDS-Index Innovation Award from James Rees, President of ICCA and Guy Bigwood, Managing Director of the GDS-Index

IMAGE: GDS-Index

Lynda Reilly from Fáilte Ireland receiving the 2019 GDS-Index Leadership Award on behalf of the Meet in Ireland Partnership, from James Rees, President of ICCA and Guy Bigwood, Managing Director of the

GDS-Index

IMAGE: GDS-Index

The GDS Index witnessed many other examples of sustainability leadership and best practice from multiple destinations including; Copenhagen, Malmö, Lausanne-Montreux and Glasgow (strategy), Ireland and Flanders (region programs),  Brisbane and Sydney (collaboration and partnerships), Monaco, Lyon and Helsinki (Marketing & Comms) and Gothenburg (Reporting).

Video summary:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejR7Lp3xB3Y&feature=youtu.be

James Rees, President of ICCA commented “As the effects of climate change become evident and social pressure for action increases, the meetings and events industry must continue to create positive economic impact for destinations, but also help influence the social and environmental policies that are affected by our business. Destination Management Organisations are a key catalyst and enabler of a sustainable visitor economy, and I am delighted to see the GDS-Index evolving and playing a vital role in accelerating the creation of sustainable destinations.”

Guy Bigwood, Managing Director of the GDS-Index: “This year's results provide positive signs of a global shift in how Destination Management Organisations integrate sustainability into their strategy, value proposal, stewardship and reporting activities. The results also highlight the need for DMOs to get much better at developing an inspiring vision of change, engaging their stakeholders and managing resources to implement and measure social impact for their communities and visitors.”

Petra Stusek, President of European Cities Marketing: “I am thrilled to see the GDS-Index evolve into a global movement for change. To me, all participating destinations are leaders and deserve recognition for being on the path to create more sustainable places to visit, meet and thrive in. The GDS Index inspires other destinations to follow their example; the DMO of tomorrow must help ensure sustainable growth and actively work the visitor economy to make a positive impact on the city; socially, environmentally, culturally and democratically.“

Sebastien Tondeur, MCI Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are avid supporters of the GDS-Index as it helps our industry to ensure that sustainability is a core part of our client value offering, while driving the positive impact of events on the communities we serve. I am inspired to see such a high level of commitment to sustainability and the improvement from the destinations. I would like to congratulate the winners for their performance and achievements”.

For more information about the 2019 GDS-Index please click here.