Wrocław and Szczecin join the 2025 GDS-Index

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 enhance 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.

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.

To further support this transition, the GDS-Movement led a dedicated workshop on 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.

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.

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.”