As overtourism sparks housing crises, strains infrastructure, and devastates ecosystems across the globe, a handful of cities are proving that sustainable tourism is possible. According to the 2025 Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index, Helsinki has once again been named the most sustainable tourist destination in the world.

The annual ranking evaluates more than 100 cities using 70 indicators across four key areas: destination management, supply chains, social sustainability, and environmental performance. These include metrics such as visitor management, airport emissions, safety, and commitments to climate action.

For the second consecutive year, the Finnish capital secured the top spot. “Helsinki continues to raise the bar by defining the ‘next practices’ of regenerative destination management,” said Guy Bigwood, CEO of the GDS-Movement. “Through bold climate action, pioneering sustainability strategies, and a steadfast commitment to transparency, the city demonstrates exceptional vision.”

Helsinki’s Sustainable Tourism Model

Helsinki’s winning strategy rests on years of coordinated projects designed to limit the environmental footprint of tourism while benefiting residents. The city actively measures the carbon impact of visitors, aligns its tourism development with its climate roadmap, and provides guidance to businesses on adopting green practices.

“Tourism in Helsinki is developed with all aspects of sustainability in mind,” said Nina Vesterinen, the city’s tourism director. “Our aim is for Helsinki to be a better place when a visitor leaves than it was before they arrived.”

Partnerships between municipal authorities and the private sector have been key. Nearly all of Helsinki’s larger hotels—99 percent of those with more than 50 rooms—are now environmentally certified, compared with far lower rates across Europe. Conference centers, tour operators, and transport providers are also increasingly gaining certification. Meanwhile, the city has invested in greener electricity and district heating to cut emissions across sectors.

Global Recognition and Tourist Demand

Earlier this year, Helsinki became the first city of over half a million residents to achieve the Green Destinations certification, one of the strictest benchmarks in sustainable tourism. The designation, endorsed by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, highlights Helsinki’s work in protecting the environment, people, and cultural heritage.

The city’s efforts appear to resonate with travelers. Tourism in Helsinki is booming, with overnight stays by international visitors rising 19 percent in the first seven months of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024, according to Statistics Finland.

Industry-wide trends also suggest demand for responsible travel is increasing. A 2025 report by Booking.com found that 93 percent of travelers globally want to make more sustainable choices, with many already adjusting their habits to minimize harm to local communities and the environment.

Looking ahead, Helsinki’s challenge is to build on its achievements while tackling the climate impact of long-distance travel. “A large proportion of international tourists visiting the city arrive by boat or by air, the climate impacts of which we acknowledge,” Vesterinen noted. “Accordingly, we are aiming to attract more tourists from Finland and neighboring European regions.”