The 2024 GDS-Awards ceremony was held at the Burges Royal Municipal Theatre during the GDS-Forum & CityDNA Autumn Conference on the evening of 16 October, presenting accolades in 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 reduce environmental harm but contribute to the well-being of the local community and economy.
LEADERSHIP AWARD WINNER: Helsinki, Finland
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
Kumamoto International Convention and Tourism Bureau’s outstanding progress, with a 42.39% improvement in its GDS-Index score to last year, earned it the 2024 Most Improved Destination Award. 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, known as the ‘City of Water’ 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
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. 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.”
INNOVATION AWARD WINNER: Copenhagen, Denmark, for its “CopenPay” initiative
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: “2024 GDS-Awards winners and finalists are redefining the role of tourism by showcasing its potential as a driving force for regeneration and social impact. 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, in recognition of their outstanding commitment to regeneration – through collaboration, continual improvement, and dedication to sustainable practices.
