Sydney has achieved a significant milestone in sustainable tourism, securing the 10th spot in the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index) for 2024.
This marks a substantial improvement from its 29th position last year, making Sydney the highest-ranked Australian city in the index.
The GDS-Index, which evaluates over 100 cities worldwide, assesses destinations based on their sustainability efforts in tourism and events.
Sydney’s impressive score of 83.13 per cent reflects its commitment to environmental responsibility, social progress, supplier engagement, and effective destination management.
Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO, emphasised the city’s dedication to sustainability, saying: “Taking strong action on climate change is one of our highest priorities, and given 75 per cent of global emissions are generated in cities, our action is critical.”
She added that this recognition would help position Sydney as a top choice for conference and convention organisers seeking vibrant and sustainable destinations.
Sydney’s success can be attributed in part to its Sustainable Destination Partnership, which supports the event and hospitality sectors in adopting more sustainable business practices.
This collaborative effort involves hotels, hostels, cultural institutions, and industry influencers working together to reduce environmental impact while boosting the local economy.
In the broader Australian context, Melbourne and Brisbane also made notable appearances on the index, ranking 24th and 33rd respectively.
Sydney’s achievement not only sets it apart as the country’s leading sustainable destination but also positions it strongly in the Asia-Pacific region, where it ranks second behind Singapore.
The GDS-Index uses 77 criteria aligned with UN sustainable development goals to benchmark cities, measuring their sustainability performance in tourism and business events.
Sydney’s high ranking reflects its comprehensive approach to sustainability, encompassing environmental initiatives, social progress, and responsible tourism practices.
This recognition comes at a time when sustainable travel is increasingly important to global travellers.
According to Booking.com‘s Sustainable Travel Report 2024, 75 per cent of global travellers express a strong desire to adopt more sustainable travel practices over the next 12 months.
As Sydney continues to enhance its sustainability efforts, this top 10 ranking is expected to boost its appeal as a destination for both leisure and business travellers, further strengthening its position in the global tourism market.
