Wrocław and Szczecin have officially joined the 2025 Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index), increasing the number of Polish cities in the global performance improvement programme to four, alongside Kraków and Gdańsk. This milestone reinforces their commitment to sustainability, positioning them as leaders in building a more resilient tourism and events industry while setting an inspiring example for destinations worldwide. Participation in the GDS-Index enables them to benchmark their progress, leverage global collaboration and best practices, and drive regeneration through more sustainable strategies.
Sustainable Tourism as a Catalyst for Progress
Wrocław and Szczecin are not only advancing their sustainability initiatives but also demonstrating that responsible tourism can foster significant progress.
Szczecin, known for its international sailing events (incl. The Tall Ships Races) supported by its extensive natural waterways, recorded 822,400 overnight stays between January and September 2024. This represents a 9.1% increase compared to the 793,300 overnight stays during the same period in 2023.
Wrocław, often referred to as the “Venice of the North” due to its numerous bridges, footbridges, and waterways, experienced a nearly 7% increase in overnight tourist stays in 2023 compared to the previous year, bringing visitor numbers close to pre-pandemic levels from 2018. These figures underscore both cities’ ability to attract visitors while remaining committed to their sustainable values.
Guy Bigwood, Chief Changemaker and CEO of GDS-Movement, said:
“The inclusion of Wrocław and Szczecin in the 2025 GDS-Index underscores Poland’s growing commitment to building a more regenerative and resilient tourism and events sector. As these cities join Krakow and Gdańsk in the ranking, they are not only elevating their own sustainability strategies but also harnessing the power of collaboration to unlock collective intelligence. Together, they are setting a new standard for Poland’s visitor economy and inspiring a future where sustainability, innovation, and progress go hand in hand. “
Find out more at the GDS-Movement website.
Dawid Pańczyszyn, President of the Board at the Wrocław Convention Bureau, commented:
“Wrocław has long embraced sustainability, but, like any ongoing process, there is always room for growth. Joining the GDS-Index enables us to assess and enhance our efforts, recognising that true progress comes from collective action on a global scale. Partnering with the GDS-Movement grants us access to valuable tools and a network of like-minded destinations striving for the same goal. By implementing sustainable solutions, we aim to lead by example, fostering more regenerative and resilient destinations.”
Anna Rojek, Project Manager, Szczecin Convention Bureau, added:
“Since 2008, Szczecin has been shaping its identity through the ‘Szczecin – Floating Garden 2050’ strategy, with greenery and water covering more than half of the city. These natural assets hold the greatest potential for creating a sustainable, thriving, and attractive city for residents and visitors. Progress at the legislative, design, and implementation levels is steadily bringing this vision to life. Joining the GDS-Index is a natural next step in advancing this strategy, strengthening the City of Szczecin Municipality’s international presence and development while aligning with global best practices. It provides a framework to measure progress, drive meaningful action, and create a more responsible, impactful tourism industry.”
Polish Cities Unite for Sustainable Tourism
In support of the transition towards more sustainable tourism, the GDS-Movement is hosting a dedicated workshop today (20 March) bringing together six Polish cities—Szczecin, Kraków, Wrocław, Gdańsk, Sopot, and Gdynia. Representatives from the Pomorskie Regional Tourist Organisation and the Poland Convention Bureau will also participate. The workshop will focus on exploring sustainable and regenerative tourism trends, sharing best practices, and creating action plans to drive regeneration in these destinations.
The event precedes The New Trends in Tourism Conference, where Guy Bigwood, Chief Changemaker at the GDS-Movement, will deliver a keynote on “The Regenerative Revolution: Developing and Managing Thriving Destinations That Are Future Fit.” His session will emphasize the importance of regeneration in tourism and how destinations can go beyond sustainability to create a lasting, positive impact.
