Montréal ranks No. 1 worldwide for destination management in 2026

Nature, fauna and flora
  • Montréal Botanical Garden – Space for Life
  • Villeray - Green alley
Daniel Baylis

Daniel Baylis

In the 2026 Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index), Tourisme Montréal achieved a historic milestone by ranking No. 1 worldwide in Destination Management with an unprecedented score of 98%. The recognition highlights how the organization welcomes visitors, works with the tourism industry, and contributes to the quality of life of local communities. It is a first for a destination outside Europe.

Driven by this accomplishment, Montréal climbed from 20th place to 9th place globally across all categories among 81 participating destinations.

A tourism vision rooted in sustainable development

Centrale agricole
Green Alley – Plateau-Mont-Royal

The Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index) is still relatively unknown to the general public. Yet it is now one of the world's leading benchmarks for assessing how destinations plan and manage tourism development. In Montréal, this approach is guided by Tourisme Montréal's Strategy for a more sustainable tourism, which seeks to balance environmental considerations, economic benefits, and the quality of life of local communities.

This is the type of approach measured by the GDS-Index. Each year, participating destinations are evaluated against 74 criteria aligned with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, grouped into four main categories:

  • Environmental performance
  • Social performance
  • Supplier engagement
  • Destination management

What is driving Montréal's success?

Montreal First Peoples festival
Kéroul

This recognition reflects the collective efforts of many organizations and stakeholders across Montréal's tourism industry.

Key initiatives contributing to these results include:

  • Businesses taking action: Over the past two years, 17 Montréal tourism organizations have earned a GreenStep certification recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), supported through training, coaching, and assistance programs.
  • A more inclusive destination: Tourisme Montréal works with Indigenous Tourism Québec and Kéroul to promote experiences that better reflect Montréal's diversity and are accessible to a broader range of visitors.
  • A commitment that extends beyond tourism: Montréal benefits from the work of many organizations and partners dedicated to reducing food waste and supporting communities. Through collaboration between the tourism industry and organizations such as La Tablée des Chefs, more than 200,000 meal portions have been recovered and redistributed in recent years.
  • An industry working together: More than 400 tourism stakeholders have participated in awareness-building and training initiatives offered by Tourisme Montréal to help advance industry practices.

Plan your visit to Montréal and discover a destination shaped by its communities

Ready to visit Montréal? You can actively participate in keeping your visit responsible. One example is Tourisme Montréal's carbon footprint calculator, which estimates some of the emissions associated with a trip based on transportation, trip length, accommodation type, and eating habits. Visitors who wish to do so can then contribute to a carbon offsetting program offered by Carbone boréal.

Tips for experiencing Montréal differently

Visitors are encouraged to adopt a more sustainable mindset during their stay by treating Montréal like their home away from home. 

To explore the city from a different perspective:

  • Use sustainable transit: Navigate the city using active transport—walk, ride a BIXI bike, or rely on Montréal's public transit network of metro lines and buses.
  • Support businesses: Choose local hotels, venues, and restaurants that contribute to the economic vitality of their communities.
  • Reduce waste: Carry reusable water bottles, coffee cups, and shopping bags to support the city's zero-waste goals.
  • Have fun: Take part in the cultural events that animate the city throughout the year.

Explore attractions focused on nature, science, and the environment

Among the institutions that contribute to Montréal's scientific and cultural richness is Espace pour la vie, the largest natural science museum complex in Canada. Its attractions include:

  • The Biodôme (five American ecosystems under one roof)
  • The Insectarium
  • The Botanical Garden
  • The Biosphere (dedicated entirely to the environment and climate science)
  • The Planetarium

And keep planning your journey with these articles:

 

Discover Montréal as a local with more sustainable practices, culinary options, adventure activities, and more — right here in Montréal.

Daniel Baylis

Daniel Baylis

Daniel Baylis is a writer, poet, and musician. Several years ago he moved to Montréal to chase silly bohemian dreams. And he’s still at it. 

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