Awarded by the Global Destination Sustainability Movement at a ceremony in Spain, it recognises destination management organisations committed to ongoing legacy and impact through business events. The award is a collaborative initiative with #MEET4IMPACT.
The GDS Movement aims to help places and communities thrive through regenerative tourism and events. It uses the Global Destination Sustainability Index as a method of benchmarking and improving a destination’s sustainability strategy and performance.
Sydney’s annual GDS Index participation is a collaboration between the City of Sydney and Business Events Sydney. We have participated in the index since 2016 as a key action from our Making Sydney a Sustainable Destination sector plan.
Annual participation in the index is a valuable way to recognise and promote the work of our local accommodation and entertainment sector in progressing sustainability.
Business Events Sydney, in partnership with the City of Sydney and other key stakeholders, has also created a world-leading social impact methodology and framework for business events in Sydney and across NSW.
“We committed more than a decade ago to identifying and measuring the ‘beyond tourism benefits’ of business events for local and global communities,” BESydney CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith said.
This means impact beyond financial returns, like innovation, education, research, and knowledge transfer.
“Now we’re collaborating with those communities to reduce our environmental footprint. We're measuring long-term social impact as well as economic outcomes from the business events we attract to our city,” Lewis-Smith said.
The annual GDS Index rankings were also released, with Sydney achieving its highest ever score – we continue to have a place in the world’s top 30 sustainable destinations.
Published 2 November 2023, updated 3 November 2023
