Berlin in the GDS-Index

What is the GDS-Index?

The Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index) is an international benchmarking index that assesses the sustainability performance of tourism and events destinations. It examines both a city's environmental and social conditions and the sustainability efforts of its tourism and events industry and destination management organisation.

The results enable destinations to compare their performance internationally, track progress and identify areas for further improvement.

Who compiles the GDS-Index?

The GDS-Index is managed by the Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS-Movement). This international organisation coordinates the annual assessment and promotes exchange between destinations through training, consultancy and a global network. Beyond comparing sustainability performance, the focus is on peer learning and continuous improvement.

Participating destinations compile and submit their own data and supporting evidence, which are subsequently reviewed and evaluated by independent assessors. In Berlin, visitBerlin's Sustainability & CSR department coordinates the submission in close cooperation with Berlin's public authorities, institutions, associations and businesses.

Why does Berlin participate in the GDS-Index?

Berlin has been a member of the GDS-Movement since 2020 and has featured in the international ranking since 2021. Our aim is to systematically advance the sustainable development of Berlin as a tourism and events destination.

The GDS-Index helps us measure Berlin's sustainability performance, benchmark ourselves internationally and identify opportunities for improvement. At the same time, the network provides valuable inspiration and best-practice examples from other destinations.

Participation is therefore about much more than rankings: it supports our efforts to work with our partners to create a future-proof visitor economy that develops in harmony with the city and its residents.

Berlin's performance in the GDS-Index 2026

Berlin has achieved a new record in the 2026 GDS-Index: With an overall performance score of 85.18 per cent, the German capital has improved by 4.68 percentage points compared to the previous year.

Berlin ranks 14th out of 81 participating destinations worldwide, climbing three places. Among metropolises with more than 1.5 million inhabitants, Berlin has achieved third place for the first time, behind Sydney and Montréal.

Joint first place worldwide in Environmental Performance

Berlin's result in the environmental category is particularly encouraging: With a score of 88.98 per cent, Berlin shares first place worldwide with Helsinki and Copenhagen.

In this category, the GDS-Index assesses factors including municipal climate protection strategies, the use of renewable energy, resource and water management, air quality, sustainable mobility and biodiversity.

This top ranking highlights Berlin's progress in environmental sustainability. Berlin's Sustainability Strategy, adopted in 2026, also uses the GDS-Index as an international reference framework and integrates sustainable tourism development more firmly into citywide policy.

Berlin Freedom Week recognised as an international best-practice example

Alongside the regular assessment criteria, the GDS-Index offers participating destinations the opportunity to showcase outstanding projects and initiatives through a so-called "X-Factor".

In 2026, Berlin submitted the inaugural Berlin Freedom Week as its X-Factor. First held in November 2025, the event series sent a strong message for freedom, democracy and social cohesion, bringing together more than 10,000 participants through numerous events at around 90 locations.

In the 2026 GDS-Index Report, Berlin Freedom Week is featured as one of three international best-practice examples in the section "X Factor Examples From Around The World". The initiative demonstrates that sustainable destination development goes beyond environmental responsibility to encompass social participation, democratic values and social cohesion.

The X-Factor examples are showcased independently of the regular scoring and ranking.

For an overview of Berlin's sustainability performance in 2026, please see our press release and Berlin's results on the GDS-Movement website. The detailed results of the 2026 GDS-Index will be presented on our TourismusHub around the turn of 2026/2027.

Methodology of the GDS-Index ranking

The GDS-Index assesses the sustainable development of tourism and events destinations using internationally comparable criteria. Originally developed for the meetings and events industry, it has also covered leisure tourism since 2020.

In 2026, the assessment methodology comprises 74 questions or indicators across four categories. These are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect evolving sustainability requirements.

Participating destinations submit data, strategies and supporting evidence, which are reviewed in a multi-stage assessment process. Based on this assessment, a percentage score is calculated for each category and combined to determine the overall performance score. The results then determine each destination's position in the international ranking.

The GDS-Index draws on internationally recognised frameworks, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Destination Criteria.

Categories and indicators of the GDS-Index

Environmental Performance

This category assesses factors including climate action, energy supply, waste and water management, air quality, mobility and biodiversity.

Social Performance

Key areas include social participation, accessibility, safety, healthcare and engagement with local residents.

Supplier Performance

This category assesses the sustainability efforts of businesses in the tourism and events industry, including hotels, venues, event agencies, restaurants and attractions. Recognised sustainability certifications play an important role.

Destination Management Performance

This category assesses the sustainability strategies, initiatives and management processes of the destination management organisation, including climate action, stakeholder collaboration, training and the measurement of sustainability performance.

Working together for a sustainable tourism destination

Berlin's strong performance in the GDS-Index is a collective achievement. In addition to citywide conditions, the assessment also takes into account the sustainability efforts of Berlin's tourism and events industry.

In 2026, 76 per cent of hotel rooms in Berlin hotels with at least 75 rooms were covered by an active third-party sustainability certification. Similarly, 81 per cent of the convention centres and conference venues included in the Index held recognised sustainability certifications.

Through programmes such as Sustainable Berlin and the Climate Roadmap for Berlin Tourism, visitBerlin supports businesses in further developing their sustainability management.

Get involved as a business

To provide as comprehensive a picture as possible of the sustainability performance of Berlin's tourism and events industry, we rely on the support of our partners every year.

For the 2027 GDS-Index submission, we would welcome information about recognised sustainability certifications, relevant performance data and concrete sustainability initiatives. By working together, we can make progress visible and continue to advance Berlin's sustainable development.

Would you like to get involved? Please get in touch!