Montréal is North America’s most popular destination for international association meetings — and with that popularity comes certain implications. To address the environmental, social, and economic impact, Montréal has once again been certified by the Events Industry Council (EIC) Sustainable Event Standards. Tourisme Montréal also maintained its first place in North America on the 2023 Global Destination Sustainability Index, an international reference in sustainable tourism. Plus, Tourisme Montréal was certified Platinum by GreenStep, the only certification program for tourism businesses and destinations in North America based on criteria recognized by the World Council for Sustainable Tourism.
All this confirms the city’s position as a sustainable tourism destination.
What is the EIC certification?
The EIC Sustainable Event Standards are a collection of eight specific standards that assess events and industry suppliers on a wide range of sustainability criteria in support of environmental and social responsibility. The standards were written through a global collaborative process with participation from subject matter experts in all sectors. They provide a strong focus on guidance and metrics so that event professionals, at all stages of their sustainability journey, will have the support needed to implement and measure sustainable practices. To date, more than 300 professionals have participated in the review of the standards.
What is the Global Destination Sustainability Index?
Tourisme Montréal maintains its raking of first place in North America on the 2023 Global Destination Sustainability Index, an internationally recognized body in sustainable tourism. Over 40 new destinations were added to the ranking this year, including 19 in North America, but Montréal was the only North American city to rank among the top 40. The city was judged on nearly 70 criteria inspired by the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, classified into four main categories: environmental, social, supplier engagement and destination management.
What is GreenStep?
GreenStep is a social enterprise that helps businesses and organizations measure, report on, and improve their sustainability performance and take climate action. Tourisme Montréal was certified at its highest level: Platinum. GreenStep evaluated our sustainability efforts as an organization and of Montréal as a tourist destination. Greater Montréal Hotel Association member hotels were also evaluated, with the aim of measuring and improving their sustainability performance. Criteria include responsible sourcing, visitor and resident engagement, as well as diversity, equity and inclusion.
What exactly is Tourisme Montréal doing to become more sustainable?
Tourisme Montréal’s sustainable development actions are plentiful:
- Implementing a multi-year Sustainable Destination Policy aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- Introducing a calculator of the carbon footprint of visitor stays — one of the first destination in the world to do this! — as a first step to make visitors aware of adopting more responsible practices when travelling.
- Assessing the social impact of business events strategies. (Example: a pilot project at the AIDS 2022 conference, which set a base for future studies and legacy program of events.)
- Training employees and members of Tourisme Montréal on sustainable tourism.
- Implementing a responsible purchasing policy to prioritize the purchase of local products. Around 95% of the gifts offered within trade shows are locally made.
- Offsetting carbon for all employee business trips.
- Publishing information to educate visitors and encourage them to adopt more responsible practices, for example the publication of this article: Plan an eco-friendly stay in Montreal.
The renewal of the EIC certification, in addition to our ranking in the 2023 Global Destination Sustainability Index and the Mercure Prize for Sustainable Destination Policy (the most prestigious business competition of its kind in Québec), are undeniable pledges of Tourisme Montréal’s commitment to more responsible, regenerative and sustainable tourism.
To find out even more about our objectives in terms of sustainable tourism, consult our Sustainable Destination Policy.
Read this next: How to host sustainable events — in Montréal and beyond
