Daejeon Joins the Global Destination Sustainability Index

Daejeon is the newest, and second city in South Korea to join the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index). The city is now part of the global destination sustainability movement, that seeks to engage, inspire and enable urban centres to become more regenerative places to visit, meet and thrive in. 

The GDS-Index is delighted to announce that the Daejeon International Marketing Enterprise (DIME) has joined its global performance improvement programme. As such, the city has dedicated itself to:

• Benchmark the sustainability of Daejeon, and its meeting and events industry
• Improve the sustainability strategy of their Convention Bureau and Destination Management Organizations
• Increase the awareness of, and integrate, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals into Denver’s events and visitor economy
• Inspire clients to prize destinations with solid event sustainability initiatives 
• Share their responsible business initiatives and regenerative practices with their clients, peers, and the world

Choe Cheol-kyu, DIME’s CEO, states that "the Daejeon International Marketing Enterprise (DIME) is the city-government’s marketing body and it takes charge of enhancing the identity of Daejeon Metropolitan city in areas of science and tourism, and as a MICE destination. We are very honoured to be a member of the GDS-Index. Daejeon Metropolitan city and the DIME will do their best to be an outstanding sustainable development city in Asia through GDS-Index membership."

Guy Bigwood, Managing Director of the GDS-Index comments: “Daejeon’s steps to become more sustainable are so necessary in this age of climatic breakdown and rising social inequalities. I want to honour those in Daejeon who are presently re-thinking to co-create a more regenerative future. Their forward-thinking actions will have a lasting legacy for generations to come. We look forward to supporting Daejeon to catalyse a more responsible meetings and events industry - be that by co-creating an improved sustainability strategy, sharing their success stories, or mapping their current sustainability performance to guide future developments.”

DIME wishes to use the GDS-Index to map, recognize, and drive sustainable practices among its business tourism partners. Known as the Silicon Valley of South Korea, the city is no stranger to innovation and hosting large conventions and festivals. Amongst other fields the development of environmental technologies is one of its specialties. It is also the annual host of the ‘Asia Wine Trophy’, Asia’s largest wine contest. Getting there is quick and can be sustainable, with Seoul a 1h train ride away, and Incheon International Airport offering a direct bus to the city. Another strength is its surroundings, as it is located near the beautiful and diverse Gyeryongsan National Park. The decision to join the GDS-Index marks an important step in DIME’s aspiration to become one of the most sustainable destinations in Asia, and sends a clear message to other destinations in the region.

For more information please contact:

Guy Bigwood
Managing Director of the Global Destination Sustainability Index
Guy.bigwood@gds-index.com

Sehoon Oh
Director, DIME
sehoon@dime.or.kr