Publisher Lonely Planet, 17 November, published its popular annual Best in Travel list featuring winners in three different categories for 2021: sustainability, diversity and community.
The Best in Travel list named Gothenburg as the world’s Best Sustainable City Stay.
Lonely Planet said: “Gothenburg has held the top ranking in the Global Destinations Sustainability Index since 2016 and its progressive, measurable solutions for sustainability wowed our expert panel. With a regional climate target of being fossil-independent by 2030, Gothenburg was the first city in the world to issue Green Bonds to accelerate investments in climate-oriented solutions. Ninety-seven percent of its public transport now runs on renewable energy, 95% of its hotels are eco-certified, it has a low emission zone in the centre and the airport is certified to the highest level of the Airport Carbon Accreditation scheme.”
Peter Grönberg, CEO of Göteborg & Co, added: “The city’s tourism industry and many other sectors have spent several years striving to make this a sustainable destination. We have also worked hard to promote Gothenburg as a sustainable city to foreign journalists and visitors. So we’re delighted that these efforts have now been recognised by Lonely Planet.”
Lonely Planet has adjusted the focus of its categories in view of the changed tourism conditions as a result of Covid-19. The travel guide publisher now focuses entirely on sustainability.
Katarina Torstensson, sustainability officer at Göteborg & Co, said: “We – the city and its tourism industry – have worked long and hard to focus on sustainability issues. Our ambition has been to create a fantastic city to live in, featuring a broad offering and taking both the environment and people into consideration. Many bold, determined, far-sighted people and organisations contribute towards – and share – our vision of sustainable development. Naturally, these attributes also typify the atmosphere within the city and its industry.”
Image provided by Peter Kvarnström, Göteborg & Co.
