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Honouring Global Leaders in their Journey Towards Regenerative Destination Management 

The Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS-Movement) is thrilled to announce the winners of the prestigious 2024 GDS-Awards. The ceremony, held at the Bruges Royal Municipal Theatre during the GDS-Forum & CityDNA Autumn Conference on the evening of 16 October, recognised destinations raising the bar of sustainability, innovation, and long-lasting positive impact in the global tourism and events industry. 

The GDS-Awards have four categories: Leadership, Innovation, Most Improved Destination, and Impact in collaboration with #MEET4IMPACT. Each award highlights exemplary efforts to foster a more regenerative approach to tourism and events that not only reduces environmental harm but contributes to the well-being of the local community and economy. 

2024 GDS-Awards’ Winners 

Leadership Award Winner: Helsinki, Finland 

Image Credit: Jussi Hellsten/Helsinki Partners

The City of Helsinki demonstrates its leadership in sustainable destination management, achieving the highest overall score in the GDS-Index with an impressive 92.43%. The city’s integrated approach to sustainability spans tourism and governance, with projects such as the Urban Climate Leaders in Tourism group, and a comprehensive biodiversity strategy. Helsinki’s clear commitment to achieving carbon neutrality for the destination and net zero for its events by 2040, along with its focus on engaging residents in decision-making processes, sets it apart as a climate-action and urban sustainability trailblazer. 

“Helsinki has consistently demonstrated its commitment to sustainability over the years. The top ranking is a testament to the effectiveness of our efforts and the dedication of our team,” said Nina Vesterinen, Tourism Director, City of Helsinki.

Most Improved Destination Award Winner: Kumamoto, Japan
 

Image Credit: Kumamoto International Convention and Tourism Bureau

Kumamoto International Convention and Tourism Bureau’s outstanding progress with a score increase of 18.88, earning it the 2024 Most Improved Destination Award. An impressive 42.39% improvement year on year. The city’s holistic sustainability strategy, which includes a comprehensive water-management programme, a forward-looking mobility plan, and a robust circular economy approach, demonstrates its dedication to sustainable tourism. Kumamoto’s emphasis on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and its biodiversity strategy reflect the city’s ambition to create a more inclusive and environmentally-responsible destination. 

 “Kumamoto City is a world-class groundwater city known as the ‘City of Water’ and provides 100% of its tap water through groundwater. We are undertaking the difficult mission of promoting tourism and MICE while protecting this vital water resource, and we are very honoured to have been recognised for these efforts. Kumamoto City will continue to strive to be an attractive and eco-friendly destination,” stated Kazufumi Onishi, Mayor of Kumamoto City. 

Innovation Award Winner: Copenhagen, Denmark, for its “CopenPay” initiative  

Image Credit: Thomas Rousing

Wonderful Copenhagen engages tourists in sustainability through its inventive CopenPay initiative. Visitors earn rewards, such as free guided tours, complimentary kayak rentals, and vegetarian meals on the house for climate-positive actions like choosing more sustainable transport or participating in site clean-up activities. CopenPay effectively promotes behavioural change and encourages more meaningful travel experiences. By transparently tracking environmental impact, the initiative offers a replicable model that cities worldwide can adopt to drive more responsible tourism.

Wonderful Copenhagen, Director of Marketing, Communication and Behaviour, Rikke Holm Petersen Remarked: “Our goal with CopenPay was to create a campaign that didn’t just focus on raising awareness about Copenhagen’s commitment to sustainability. We wanted to influence visitors in Copenhagen to act more sustainably during their stay, just as we were hoping to spark new conversations around the world about how to take greener actions. We were blown away by the positive response that we received from both visitors and people and organisations from near and far. This reaffirms our belief that there is a genuine motivation among travellers and destinations to take green actions and that we need to tap into this commitment.”  

GDS-Movement and #MEET4IMPACT Impact Award Winner: Copenhagen, Denmark, for its “Copenhagen Legacy Lab” programme

Image Credit: Visit Copenhagen

Copenhagen Convention Bureau continues to lead by example with its “Copenhagen Legacy Lab” (CLL) initiative, recognised for its original framework to create long-term, positive impacts from congresses and events. CLL stands out by encouraging event organisers to collaborate strategically, ensuring lasting legacies that go beyond economic benefits, to contribute to local development in fields such as sustainability and healthcare. With its open-source tools and research, CLL offers a replicable model for cities, worldwide to create meaningful, legacy-driven outcomes from business events.

Wonderful Copenhagen, CEO, Mikkel Aarø-Hansen commented: “We are incredibly proud of winning this Impact Award for our Copenhagen Legacy Lab. We strongly believe that international congresses and events are catalysts for long-term, positive impacts that go far beyond the immediate economic gains. And that we, as an industry, are obliged to collaborate and invest in redeeming these potentials, for the benefit of the destinations in which they are held, the international associations that have purpose as their core mission, and society at large.” 

Guy Bigwood, CEO of GDS-Movement, remarked: “This year’s GDS-Awards’ winners and finalists are redefining the role of tourism by showcasing its potential as a driving force for regeneration and social impact. We are thrilled to honour these pioneering destinations from Europe, Asia, North America, and beyond, all leading with innovative sustainability projects that are reshaping the global industry. These initiatives reflect a fundamental shift in how the visitor economy is understood and managed. They emphasise the power of collaboration to foster meaningful change, setting a new standard for others to follow.” 

 The 2024 GDS-Awards highlighted the breadth of transformation and impact within the global tourism industry. Each winner exemplifies how destinations can move beyond traditional sustainability efforts to create regenerative systems that benefit not just visitors, but residents, ecosystems, and economies. This year, the awards were judged by a distinguished panel of industry experts from across the globe. 

Additionally to these prestigious awards, Visit Bruges was recognised with the GDS-Movement and CityDNA Partner of the Year Award, recognising their outstanding commitment to regeneration – through collaboration, continual improvement, and dedication to sustainable practices.

 ENDS 

 For further information, contact the GDS-Movement’s PR and Digital Marketing Manager, Anja Spice, at anja@gds.earth   

NOTES TO EDITORS 

 The esteemed 2024 Impact Award Judges:  

• Jane Cunningham, Director of European Engagement, Destinations International  

• Ben Hainsworth, Executive Director, EASL (European Association for the Study of the Liver)  

• Vicky Koffa, Deputy Director, Boardroom Magazine  

• Ioannis Pallas, Managing Director, ESAE (European Society of Association Executives) 

The esteemed 2024 Innovation Award Judges:  

• Flavie de Bueil, Chief Operating Officer, City Destination Alliance (CityDNA) 

• James Lancaster, Editorial Director, Northstar Travel Group – United Kingdom  

• Roger Lehner, Senior Operations and Sustainability Executive, IMEX Group  

• Shelby Luzzi, Senior Manager Sustainability, Washington DC (2023 Innovation Award Winner)  

• Dermot Ryan, Head of Association Engagement, ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association)”>