In the recent weeks, we applauded participating cities that completed their 2025 benchmarking assessments submissions, were abuzz at IMEX Frankfurt 2025, launched new events funding research, and published a regulations white paper to guide EU tourism bodies. Read on to get closer to “destination inspiration”.
Sustainable Destination Certification for Copenhagen: Check!
We are thrilled to see that the collaborative efforts of Wonderful Copenhagen and City of Copenhagen (Københavns Kommune) have achieved destination sustainability certification with our partner, EarthCheck. This is expected to "boost the systematisation, documentation, and acceleration of sustainable transition".
(Copenhagen is number 3 in the 2024 Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index) and you can find out more about its holistic efforts here. We also feature its sustainability guide in our 2024 GDS-Forum report.)
GDS-Movement and European Travel Commission Urge Destinations to Get Ahead of New EU Green Rules
The GDS-Movement and the European Travel Commission have launched a new white paper designed to help destinations prepare for forthcoming EU regulatory changes, including the Green Claims Directive and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. Find out how your tourism organisation can get ahead of the curve.
Navigating the Complexities of Sustainability for International Events: A Q&A with Industry Experts
What’s a more effective way to ensure global events do less harm and what common problems do planners encounter along the way? isla explores top-level sustainable event insights from Milda Salciute (GDS-Movement) and Hannah Wells (Afion Media). These include:
Early and Transparent Engagement:
Data Collection Challenges
Supplier Variability
Cultural and Regional Considerations
Supportive Collaboration
To find out more about achieving sustainability in international events through proactive planning, adaptable strategies, and collaborative partnerships that consider your unique challenges, click/tap the button:
NEW DATA: Destinations Want Change, But Funding Still Lags Behind
Subvention, the financial and in-kind support that destinations provide to associations hosting events, is at a crossroads according to preliminary, new findings from a survey conducted by Conferli, in collaboration with #MEET4IMPACT and the GDS-Movement.
Gothenburg is turning meetings and public events into powerful tools for sustainability and lasting change. The "Gothenburg Way to Legacy" framework from Göteborg & Co is designed to help associations an PCOs create events with more positive impact. The first of 4 videos on this project, produced by our partner, The Iceberg, is fantastic.
(Gothenburg is number 2 in the 2024 GDS-Index and you can find out more about its holistic efforts here.)
Sustainability, Elevated: Fáilte Ireland Sets a New Standard for Trade Events
Explore how “Meitheal” (teamwork) is supporting powerful measures implemented by Fáilte Ireland, Kerry Convention Bureau and others to support the integration of sustainability and business through events.
(Kerry is number 19 in the 2024 GDS-Index and you can find out more about its holistic efforts here.)
NEW DATA: Impact and Legacy Study from Destination Canada
We'd love to share a good example of how to design and deliver events that create more meaningful, lasting legacy. It's Destination Canada's Year 2 Insights Report from the 3-year Legacy & Impact Study developed in collaboration with #MEET4IMPACT and GainingEdge (and which we feature in our 2024 GDS-Forum report) and it's got some compelling case studies! This latest report dives into 12 international events, uncovering what it really takes to design meetings that leave a lasting imprint.
NEW DATA: Take European Events’ Carbon Temperature with isla
We encourage you to explore isla's Temperature Check Europe Report 2025, which offers "a vital look at where the industry stands on event sustainability across Europe" - Milda Salciute.
Global Voices, Local Impact – One Student on the GDS-ICCA-CityDNA Certificate in Regenerative Destination Management
“I found this course very informative and highly enjoyable,” says Duncan Wise, Visitor Development and Tourism Officer, Northumberland National Park Authority. "It has increased my understanding of and confidence in the delivery of Regenerative Tourism. Each module was explained well and with enthusiasm, with excellent case studies and speakers from across the globe. I learnt as much from my fellow students, who represented a wide range of destinations, and we left as friends.”
“Navigating EU Sustainability Regulations: a Guide for Destinations”
A Feeling the Pulse Webinar
MORNING SESSION
Virtual
10:00 CET – The European Travel Commission (ETC) and GDS-Movement unpack the new sustainability regulations, how they affect DMOs, and how to lead through them.
12:00 local time - Jennifer Jensen gives the GDS-Movement perspective on “Redefining Events In 2025: Impactful And Regenerative MICE Strategies” in London, UK.
Include a GDS-Movement Changemaker at your next event
Virtual, hybrid, or in-person
Include a GDS-Movement Changemaker as keynote speaker at your next event Virtual, hybrid, or in-person. We present on impact and legacy through business events, industry trends, radical collaboration, regenerative destination management, and so much more.
