Liverpool has continued its rise in the Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index, climbing to 45th place after achieving a score of 71% in the latest international rankings.
The new results name Liverpool as the second most improved destination in Northern Europe, behind The Malverns, highlighting the progress being made to create a more sustainable visitor economy across the city region.
A particularly strong improvement was recorded in destination management, where Liverpool’s performance increased by 20% compared with last year. The category considers areas including governance, sustainability planning and engagement with organisations and businesses across the visitor economy.
It marks another major step forward since Liverpool first joined the GDS Index in 2021, when the city was ranked second from bottom.
The Global Destination Sustainability Index benchmarks destinations around the world across four main areas: destination management, environmental performance, social performance and supplier performance.
A total of 81 destinations took part in the 2026 programme, while more than 700 assessments across 38 countries have been completed since the initiative began in 2016.
Liverpool’s latest score of 71% places it among England’s higher-scoring participating destinations. Manchester recorded 75% and The Malverns 74%, while Liverpool finished ahead of Bristol on 65%, Bath on 61% and Leeds on 58%.
Across the UK, Glasgow recorded a score of 88%, followed by Belfast with 87%.
The latest improvement follows previous recognition for Liverpool at the GDS Awards, where it was named the most improved destination in 2023.
Sustainability initiatives have continued to develop across the Liverpool City Region in the years since.
Liverpool has been recognised as the world’s first Accelerator City for climate action, with work taking place to accelerate decarbonisation across industries including live music, television and film production. The city is targeting net zero carbon emissions by 2030.
Other projects have included the launch of the Liverpool City Region’s first Sustainable Visitor Travel Guide, designed to help residents and tourists make more environmentally conscious choices when travelling around the region.
Liverpool City Region Destination Partnership (LCRDP) has also achieved Green Tourism Bronze accreditation as a destination management organisation.
Collaboration between organisations across the visitor economy has played an important role in the city’s latest GDS performance.
In April, LCRDP hosted a GDS Sustainability Sprint at the Museum of Liverpool, bringing together businesses, visitor economy leaders, sustainability specialists and public sector organisations.
The event focused on turning sustainability ambitions into practical action, with discussions covering areas including transport, food and supply chains, waste, business resilience and responsible economic growth.
It also built on the Liverpool City Region Visitor Economy Sustainability Action Plan and helped reconnect businesses with the region’s wider sustainability taskforce.
Natalie Wyatt, Managing Director of Liverpool City Region Destination Partnership, said:
“We are delighted to see Liverpool City Region continue to make progress in the Global Destination Sustainability Index and to be recognised as the second most improved destination this year.
“Sustainability is not something that can be delivered by one organisation or one sector. It depends on collaboration across the whole visitor economy – from our accommodation providers, attractions and venues to transport operators, event organisers, businesses and our public-sector partners.
“Our journey through the GDS Index has shown just how much can be achieved when we work together. To have moved from second from bottom when we first participated in 2021 to 45th today is a significant achievement.
“But we know that the job is far from finished. The Index gives us a valuable way of measuring where we are making progress and where we need to do more. Our ambition is to continue working with partners across the Liverpool City Region to create a visitor economy that delivers positive environmental, economic and social benefits for our communities, our businesses and our visitors.”
Businesses and venues throughout the region are also being encouraged to improve their environmental performance, with Liverpool’s sustainable tourism programme highlighting Green Tourism-accredited accommodation, attractions and activities.
Sustainability is increasingly becoming part of the city’s business events offer too, with Liverpool Convention Bureau promoting sustainable venues, local suppliers, plant-based catering and lower-carbon travel options, alongside opportunities for events to deliver a positive social and environmental impact locally.
Liverpool’s improved GDS ranking arrives as the city region prepares for several major international sporting events over the coming years.
The Tour de France Grand Départ and IWBF Wheelchair Basketball European Championships will both come to the region in 2027, followed by UEFA EURO 2028, bringing further opportunities to showcase Liverpool to visitors from around the world.
For more Liverpool City Region sustainable initiatives, click here.
