Becky Cornforth of the Kerry Convention Bureau
For the seventh consecutive year, Kerry has retained its place in the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index) Top 20 and made a significant jump up the rankings, moving from #19 to #12 out of 81 international destinations benchmarked. This result once again cements Kerry’s position as the #1 Irish destination as per the Index.
The GDS-Index is one of the leading global performance improvement programmes for urban tourism and events destinations. Participation in the GDS-Index signifies a destination’s commitment to environmental, social, and economic well-being, helping to shape a better world through tourism and events.
It measures, benchmarks, and enhances the sustainability strategies, action plans, and initiatives of destination management organisations, local authorities, and their tourism suppliers and provides opportunities for collaboration and knowledge-sharing, fostering continuous improvement and driving positive change in the global tourism and events industry.
Key highlights for Kerry from the 2025 submission:
- Scored 82.8% out of 100
- 6.63% increase on 2024 score
- Achieved #1 position globally in category, based on population size
- Seventh consecutive year in Top 20
- Retained position of #1 Irish destination as per the Index
Kerry Convention Bureau Manager, Becky Cornforth said “In a year which saw a further expansion of the criteria, and in a competitive field that is dominated by large cities, a metropolis and a megacity, we are so proud to have made such a significant improvement in our score. This has allowed us to not only make a jump up the rankings to #12 but also maintain both our long-held presence in the Top 20 and position as #1 Irish Destination as per the Global Destination Sustainability Index as well as moving to #1 globally, within our category based on population size.
“The increase in our score demonstrates that the sustainability ambitions of our community of tourism suppliers, event professionals and industry partners mirror those of our valued clients and partners on a global stage.”
“We are also thrilled that all of our fellow Irish Convention Bureaux colleagues are recognised in the Top 40 of this important global index, and that with the support of Fáilte Ireland, our collective commitment to regenerative destination management is putting Ireland on the map as a green business events destination of choice, ranked alongside key business event destinations across the world”.
Kerry Convention Bureau is supported by Fáilte Ireland and Kerry County Council.
Working closely in partnership with Fáilte Ireland’s Business Tourism unit Meet In Ireland, the bureau fosters the promotion and growth of Kerry as an iconic and diverse destination for business tourism events including national and international conventions, meetings, and incentives.
