Wrocław & Szczecin Join the 2025 GDS-Index

Cityscape of Wroclaw

Wrocław and Szczecin have officially joined the 2025 Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index), bringing the total number of Polish cities in the global performance improvement programme to four, alongside Krakow and Gdańsk.

By joining the GDS-Index, the cities demonstrate their commitment to sustainability in a milestone step towards a more resilient tourism and events industry and set a powerful example for destinations worldwide. It enables them to benchmark current performance, harness global collaboration and best practices to strengthen their strategies, and drive regeneration through a more resilient tourism and events industry. 

Wrocław and Szczecin are not only advancing their sustainability efforts but also proving that responsible tourism can drive meaningful progress. Szczecin, renowned for its international sailing events made possible by its large, natural water bodies, recorded 822,400 overnight stays between January and September 2024. This marks a 9.1% increase compared to the same period in 2023 when 793,300 overnight stays were registered.

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, they are 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."

Wrocław, often called the “Venice of the North” for its many bridges, footbridges and waterways, saw a nearly 7% increase in overnight tourists in 2023 compared to the previous year, bringing visitor numbers close to pre-pandemic levels in 2018. These figures highlight both cities’ ability to attract visitors while staying true to their sustainable values.

Cityscape of Szczecin | © Szczecin Convention Bureau

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."

To further support this transition, the GDS-Movement leads a dedicated workshop today (20 March), bringing together six Polish cities (Szczecin, Krakow, Wroclaw, Gdańsk, Sopot, and Gdynia). It will include representatives from the Pomeranian Regional Tourist Organisation and the Poland Convention Bureau. Together, the organisations will explore sustainable and regenerative tourism trends, share best practices, and develop action plans for advancing regeneration in their destinations.

Anna Rojek, Project Manager, Szczecin Convention Bureau, said: "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."

The workshop takes place one day before 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 highlight the importance of regeneration in tourism and how destinations can move beyond sustainability to create a lasting positive impact.