Helsinki has topped the Global Destination Sustainability Index for the third year in a row. The Finnish capital scored 93% in the 2026 index.

The GDS Index measures environmental performance, supply chains, destination management and social sustainability. The results highlight one striking figure.

About 98% of hotels with more than 50 rooms in Helsinki are environmentally certified. The European average is just 10%. Finland has also been ranked the happiest country in the world for the ninth year running.

Tourism Director Vesterinen credited collaboration between the city and tourism businesses. He said Helsinki still has room to improve. Many tourists arrive by boat or plane. The city acknowledges the climate impact of this travel.

The EU’s Empowering Consumers Directive has also come into force. It bans generic green claims without verifiable evidence. Helsinki’s strong third-party data helps it meet the new rules.

The GDS Index gives the city an edge over rivals. Nearly perfect scores in some categories show how far Helsinki has come. But officials say the work is not finished.