Gdańsk Convention Bureau, together with the Polish Tourism Organisation (POT) and the Poland Convention Bureau (PCB), warmly invites representatives from cities, municipal institutions, and POT/PCB-recommended PCOs to participate in the workshop: “Regenerating Polish Destinations: Sustainable Tourism in Action.” This workshop will be led by representatives from the Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS Movement).
GDS- Index Workshop Overview
Participants will explore practical examples and best practices, drawing inspiration from the initiatives of other cities. Together, they will develop a collaborative plan for 2025, enhancing efforts towards sustainable development for Polish destinations. The workshop will also increase awareness about the GDS-Index and its role in the transformation of cities towards sustainability.
Workshop Facilitators
The workshop, conducted in English, will be led by two experts from the Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS Movement) – Janie Neuman and Marta Mills.
About the Speakers
- Janie Neumann is an expert with over 20 years of experience in tourism, specialising in sustainable destination development. For 11 years, she served as the Sustainable Development Manager at VisitScotland, where she developed climate-neutral strategies and managed the measurement of tourism sector emissions. She was a key figure in the development of the Glasgow Declaration for Climate Action in Tourism. Janie also worked for Green Tourism for 6 years, advising hundreds of businesses in the UK, New Zealand, and Canada on certification and sustainability strategies. Janie Neumann inkedIn profile.
- Marta Mills is a consultant and researcher specialising in sustainable tourism, climate, and destination management. With 20 years of international experience, she has worked with organisations such as the World Bank, GIZ, and UK Aid. As Senior Sustainable Tourism Manager at Toposophy, she led projects focused on tourism and climate change across Europe. Marta is also a co-founder of the Transcaucasian Trail, a long-distance trekking route in the Caucasus. She holds an MSc in Responsible Tourism Management and has experience developing sustainable tourism guidelines for the sector. Marta Mills LinkedIn profile.
Workshop Topics
This interactive workshop will cover the following topics:
- Key trends and perspectives on sustainable development in tourism.
- How the GDS-Index works and how you can implement it in your organisation.
- Analysis of global and local case studies, drawing inspiration for future actions.
- Transforming theory into practical strategies and action plans for Polish cities.
- Collaborative development of a 2025 partnership plan for participating cities and institutions.
What is the GDS Movement?
The Global Destination Sustainability Movement is an international initiative that supports the sustainable development of destinations through benchmarking, strategic consulting, and building a community of change leaders. Within the movement, the GDS-Index was developed to assess destinations based on their sustainable management of tourism and events, taking into account social and environmental factors. The index also facilitates the exchange of best practices and knowledge between cities.
The GDS-Index measures sustainability in tourism destinations across four categories, using 70 indicators. Joining the index requires a comprehensive evaluation of a city’s environmental protection actions, social policies, and engagement with local stakeholders such as hotels, conference venues, and DMOs. The index also analyses destination management strategies, considering the implementation of innovative solutions and progress reporting. Cities from around the world compete for a place in the rankings, with a particular focus on climate protection. Scandinavian cities are currently leaders in the Global Destination Sustainability rankings.
Recently, Kraków and Gdańsk have joined the list, with other Polish cities preparing for their audits. The ranking takes into account investments, initiatives, education, and community engagement. These initiatives create a domino effect, inspiring further positive actions in local communities and globally.
Registration and Additional Information
We invite a maximum of three participants per organisation.
- Venue: 100cznia Inside, Księdza Jerzego Popiełuszki 5, Gdańsk
- Date: 20th March 2025
- Time: 09:00 – 17:00
- Limited spaces available. Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Fee: 199 PLN per participant
To register, please visit: Registration Link
We look forward to welcoming you in Gdańsk!
Discover more: New Trends in Tourism 2025 in Gdańsk – Conference Preview
Source: Gdańsk Convention Bureau
