Successful Best Practice Examples and Future Topics at the 5th GNTB Sustainable Tourism Day

Frankfurt am Main, 29 July 2026 – On 23 September 2026, the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) will host its 5th Sustainable Tourism Day in Frankfurt am Main. Experts from academia and practice, as well as from businesses, destinations and associations, will present strategies, approaches and best practice examples for responsible tourism.

The programme will provide practical guidance on the implementation of the EU's EmpCo Directive, which defines clear and binding rules for sustainability communication with consumers. Two German municipalities will report on their initial experiences with DestinationPay, an international initiative through which destinations reward sustainable consumer behaviour. Other topics include risk analyses and resilience management for municipalities and businesses with regard to climate change, recommendations for climate-friendly mobility, and sustainability as a success factor for theme parks and regions. One presentation will examine "The Future of Hospitality – From Accommodation Provider to Service Ecosystem".

The event will conclude with a presentation of the current Federal Competition "Sustainable Tourism Destinations". Through the Federal Competition "Sustainable Tourism Destinations", the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN), the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) and the German Tourism Association (DTV) have, for several years, recognised the commitment of destinations to environmentally and socially responsible quality tourism. The GNTB supports the competition as a member of both the advisory board and the jury.

Petra Hedorfer, Chief Executive Officer of the GNTB, said: "Germany as a travel destination is already well positioned in terms of sustainability. In the SDG Index, which reflects progress towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we rank fourth worldwide. Our objective of climate-friendly, environmentally, nature- and socially responsible tourism that also supports the competitiveness of tourism businesses has been expressly reaffirmed in the German Federal Government's National Tourism Strategy 2026. With the GNTB Sustainable Tourism Day, we offer all stakeholders in German tourism a platform to network with experts, benefit from successful solutions and develop their own sustainability concepts."

Registration for the 5th GNTB Sustainable Tourism Day is now open. GNTB members and partners, as well as other stakeholders from Germany's tourism industry, can register at www.germany.travel/std. Participation is subject to a registration fee.