Helsinki has been named the world’s most sustainable tourist destination for the second consecutive year in the Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index. The ranking compares more than a hundred cities worldwide based on over 70 indicators across four categories: environmental performance, supply chains, destination management, and social sustainability.
Mayor Daniel Sazonov welcomed the news, noting that the city’s long-term work is paying off. “Our aim is to make Helsinki a welcoming destination for a steadily rising number of travelers. Being the world’s most sustainable tourist destination for the second year in a row shows that our work for tourism and its sustainability is paying off,” he said.
Guy Bigwood, CEO of the GDS Movement, praised Helsinki’s leadership, pointing to its bold climate action, innovative sustainability strategies, and transparency. “Helsinki continues to raise the bar by defining the ‘next practices’ of regenerative destination management. Its recognition as the top-ranked destination in the 2025 GDS-Index – for the second consecutive year – is highly deserved,” he said.
A key factor in Helsinki’s success is collaboration across the tourism sector. For example, nearly all of the city’s larger hotels have environmental certifications, a rate far above the European average. District heating and electricity production have also become more climate-friendly, contributing to the city’s strong performance.
Tourism Director Nina Vesterinen emphasized the importance of transparency in sustainability efforts. “Sustainability must be more than just marketing-level greenwashing. That is why indices and certifications such as GDS and GSTC are important to us,” she said, referring to Helsinki’s additional recognition earlier this year when it became the first city of its size to earn the Green Destinations GSTC certification.
The record-breaking tourism year of 2025 has underscored the importance of sustainable growth. According to Statistics Finland, international overnight stays rose by 19 percent in the first seven months of the year, with congress tourism playing a major role in that increase.
Vesterinen noted that demand for sustainable destinations continues to grow worldwide. “International surveys show that a growing number of tourists are looking for more sustainable services and destinations. The City of Helsinki, businesses, and all tourism operators must continue to systematically invest in the sustainability of tourism,” she said.
Helsinki is already measuring the carbon footprint of tourism, implementing climate roadmap measures, and supporting businesses on their sustainability journey. At the same time, the city prioritizes resident wellbeing as part of its tourism strategy. “The aim is for Helsinki to be a better place when a visitor leaves than it was before they arrived,” Vesterinen explained.
She also acknowledged the challenges that remain, particularly the emissions linked to air and sea travel. “Finding a balance is not an easy task, but we are doing our best. We are also aiming to attract more tourists from Finland and neighboring European regions,” she concluded.
