Interview
Get to know the GDS Movement
GUY BIGWOOD , CEO AND CHIEF CHANGEMAKER , GLOBAL DESTINATION SUSTAINABILITY MOVEMENT , TALKS TO CATIE OWEN ABOUT THE MICE INDUSTRY ’ S RELATIONSHIP WITH SUSTAINABILITY
D estinations across Canada are undertaking the Global Destination Sustainability ( GDS ) Index benchmarking process through the GDS-Movement . The Movement , spearheaded by Guy Bigwood , provides tools and insights to the international tourism industry .
Catie Owen ( CO ): Can you talk about the GDS Movement and its objectives ? Guy Bigwood ( GB ): The Global Destination Sustainability Movement is a collaborative platform that aims to catalyse transformation in the tourism and events industry . This works by engaging , inspiring , and enabling destinations to become more regenerative and resilient places to visit , meet and live in .
The GDS-Movement serves to accelerate the transformation from destination marketing at whatever cost , towards destination management and stewardship that offers shared value . We work with over 100 pioneering municipalities , destination management organisations and convention bureaus . During this work , we facilitate the development of regenerative strategies , skill sets and mindsets that will enable destinations of the future to thrive .
Overall , the foundation of the GDS-Movement is the GDS-Index ; the global standard for benchmarking and improving sustainable destination performance .
CO : How will the index impact tourism and the MICE industry ? GB : The GDS Index is a performance improvement programme that highlights key criteria to guide an organisation towards achieving its sustainability goals . We are already seeing tremendous impacts in strategy creation in event strategy development in event creation and management .
On our end , the GDS-Movement ’ s regenerative framework is being developed in collaboration with global experts and our member destinations . The framework is inspired by living systems and nature – which influences the development and the creation of our solutions . We believe that the tourism and the events industry are part of the same living ecosystem ; diverse yet interconnected and interdependent . By understanding the structure , systems , and processes of our living ecosystem , we can better design it to recover and thrive . Not only that , but we also passionately believe that the tourism and events economy have the power to transform our energy , food , water , transport , employment , and social systems .
CO : How can the MICE industry become more involved in the movement ? GB : To get to know more about the GDS Movement and what we do , we welcome MICE professionals to join us at our regular online meeting called Feeling the Pulse and to join our LinkedIn community .
CO : Why is it important that destinations like Canada embrace the initiative ? GB : All regions in the world need to join the movement . We need a collaborative , global effort to improve our ability to adapt and thrive in the ever-changing context the sector faces .
Canada has a strong reputation as a sustainable and safe country , despite previously there not being a standard framework or metrics to guide future improvements . The GDS Index is a performance improvement measurement system where Canadian cities can now measure themselves and work collaboratively to increase their competitive advantage as a sustainable host country . The data collected will show these proof points and enable authentic storytelling to be shared with the global marketplace .
CO : What is Canada ‘ doing right ’ regarding sustainability ? GB : Canada is now the country with the
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