As any seasoned traveller or journalist will tell you, consistency is the hallmark of greatness. And consistency is precisely what Helsinki has delivered by being crowned the world’s most sustainable tourist destination for the second year. No small feat, considering the field included over a hundred cities all vying for the same green laurels.
The accolade comes from the Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index, a rigorous benchmark that assesses cities across four categories: environmental performance, supply chains, destination management and social sustainability. With over 70 indicators in play, this is no mere beauty pageant — it’s a full-blown stress test of a city’s environmental mettle.
A Mayor With Cause to Celebrate
“We’re investing in sustainable growth in tourism. Our aim is to make Helsinki a welcoming destination for a steadily rising number of travellers. 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,” enthused Mayor Daniel Sazonov.
It wasn’t the polite corporate patter one often hears in city halls; Sazonov’s remarks carried the weight of someone who knows Helsinki is setting an agenda others can only aspire to.
Raising the Bar for Regenerative Travel
The applause didn’t end there. Guy Bigwood, CEO of the GDS Movement, was equally fulsome:
“Helsinki continues to raise the bar by defining the ‘next practices’ of regenerative destination management. Through bold climate action, pioneering sustainability strategies, and a steadfast commitment to transparency, the city demonstrates exceptional vision. Its recognition as the top-ranked destination in the 2025 GDS-Index for the second consecutive year is highly deserved.”
Helsinki separates itself from the pack in those “next practices.” While many cities still wrestle with “best practices,” Helsinki is leaping ahead with initiatives that anticipate tomorrow’s expectations.
Cooperation: The Finnish Secret Sauce
Sustainability in Helsinki is not just a buzzword but a collective undertaking. Hotels, operators, conference centres, and even the district heating plants are all part of the green symphony.
Consider this: 99% of hotels with more than 50 rooms are environmentally certified. To put that in perspective, the European average is nowhere near that. It’s a staggering figure that tells us sustainability here isn’t just for glossy brochures; it’s built into the plumbing, literally.
“Helsinki’s sustainability as a tourist destination is the result of cooperation between many operators,” explained Tourism Director Nina Vesterinen. “More and more destinations, meeting and conference facilities, tour operators and others have environmental certifications.”
Transparency Above Tokenism
Helsinki takes pride in its transparency in a world where “greenwashing” is often more common than genuine eco-innovation.
In March, it became the first city with over half a million residents to earn the Green Destinations GSTC certification, widely regarded as one of the strictest in the world. That’s not a certificate you download after a quick online quiz; it requires deep verification and hard evidence.
“For Helsinki, it is essential that sustainability is transparent. Sustainability must be more than just marketing-level greenwashing, which is already demanded by EU legislation requiring environmental claims to be reliable and verifiable. This is why indices and certifications such as GDS and GSTC are important to us,” Vesterinen emphasised.
Tourism Surge Meets Green Discipline
Helsinki isn’t just polishing its halo; the numbers back its success. Tourism in 2025 has been nothing short of record-breaking. According to Statistics Finland, overnight stays by international tourists jumped 19% in the first seven months compared to last year. A big slice of that growth? Congress attendees prove that business and leisure travellers are seeking sustainable destinations.
“International surveys show that a growing number of tourists are looking for more sustainable services and destinations. As a result, there will continue to be demand for the world’s most sustainable destinations,” noted Vesterinen. “The City of Helsinki, businesses and all tourism operators must continue to systematically invest in the sustainability of tourism.”
Projects That Go Beyond Lip Service
The city’s commitment doesn’t stop at lofty statements. It measures tourism’s carbon footprint, enforces a climate roadmap for the sector, and lends practical support to businesses striving to go green. Resident well-being is also prioritised, but it is not always a given in other cities where visitor numbers overwhelm local life.
“We are promoting tourism with all areas of sustainability in mind, reducing negative impacts and increasing positive ones. The aim is for Helsinki to be a better place when a visitor leaves than it was before they arrived,” Vesterinen said, striking a note of both ambition and humility.
Acknowledging the Hard Truths
Helsinki’s leaders are not blind to the paradox of modern travel. Planes and ferries, after all, are still major contributors to carbon emissions. Here, honesty again shines through.
Despite its sustainability credentials, Helsinki as a tourist destination still has room for improvement. Finding a balance is not an easy task, but we are doing our best. A large proportion of international tourists visiting the city arrive by boat or by air, the climate impacts of which we acknowledge. Accordingly, we are aiming to attract more and more tourists from Finland and neighbouring European regions,” Vesterinen concluded.
This frank recognition gives Helsinki credibility. Unlike others, it doesn’t pretend to have solved every issue; instead, it shows that it is working, much like a diligent student who knows the exam is ongoing.
Final Thoughts
So, where does this leave Helsinki? On top of the world but with its feet firmly planted in Nordic soil. The city is not just basking in green glory but diligently rewriting the rulebook on what it means to be a sustainable tourist destination.
For travellers weighing their options in an increasingly eco-conscious era, Helsinki isn’t just another pin on the map. It’s a statement — that sustainability, when pursued seriously and transparently, can be both aspirational and achievable.
Other cities, take note. The Finns are not just singing in the forest but leading the choir.
By Karuna Johnson
