Sustainable Tourism on the Rise: Helsinki Makes Major Strides in Global Rankings

Issue 102 - November 2023, News, Sustainable Travel, Travel Destination
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The results of the latest Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index, which ranks the sustainability of tourist destinations, were published on 4 October 2023. In the latest index, Helsinki has climbed eight places and is now ranked the fourth most sustainable tourist destination in the world.

The Think Sustainably service at MyHelsinki.fi helps to choose more sustainable ways of living in Helsinki and enjoying the Finnish capital. Amos Rex is just one of the city’s art museums that has fulfilled the Think Sustainably criteria. Photo: Mika Huisman, Amos Rex.

Helsinki’s target is to be carbon neutral by 2030. The city’s sustainability goals cover all sectors, from construction to the travel industry and events. In the tourism sector, the city’s sustainability work has focused on developing inclusive tourism and encouraging stronger participation by city residents in the development of tourism. In addition, the City of Helsinki measures the carbon footprint of tourism, promotes the measures of the Helsinki Tourism Climate Road Map and supports the travel industry along the path of sustainable tourism.

Helsinki’s sustainability work and increased focus on the development of tourism is clearly visible in the improved ranking of Helsinki on the Global Destination Sustainability Index, which has climbed from 16th to 4th place in two years. The Global Destination Sustainability Index measures the sustainability of tourist destinations in four different categories using 70 indicators. Helsinki has been ranked in the index since it began in 2015.

Also other Nordic cities performed excellently in this year’s index, as no less than seven top places went to the Nordic countries. The world’s most sustainable tourist destination in 2023 is Gothenburg in Sweden, which retained its first place from last year. Other cities in the top seven include Oslo, Copenhagen, Bergen, Aarhus and Aalborg.

The City of Helsinki has developed its own carbon footprint calculator for events, which was used for the first time at last summer's Sideways Festival
The City of Helsinki has developed its own carbon footprint calculator for events, which was used for the first time at last summer’s Sideways Festival. Photo: Miika Varila / Sideways

Helsinki’s aim is to be the smartest and most sustainable travel destination in the world

The aim of the Helsinki City Strategy is to develop Helsinki into the smartest and most sustainable travel destination in the world. Helsinki’s Climate Action Plan for Tourism and Events also outlines Helsinki’s goal of being at the top of the world in terms of sustainability, as verified by indexes and certifications. Helsinki’s goal is to climb to the top of the GDS Index by 2025. The City of Helsinki is also keen to work closely with other travel destinations on a national and international level.

Nina Vesterinen, Tourism Director at the City of Helsinki, is satisfied with the results that have just been published.

“One of Helsinki’s main goals in the development of tourism is to become the world’s most sustainable travel destination. The fact that our ranking rose by eight places from last year is a sign that we are doing the right things. Our goal to be the world’s most sustainable travel destination is already within reach. For this, we owe big thanks to all our stakeholders – above all to those companies that are pioneers in sustainability,” says Vesterinen.

This piece was prepared online by Panuruji Kenta, Publisher, SEVENSEAS Media