Leading destinations and tourism professionals from across the world have been recognised for their achievements in sustainability, regeneration and positive impact at the 2026 GDS-Awards, presented during the GDS-Forum and Impact Day in Szczecin, Poland.
The awards celebrate excellence in three categories: Innovation, Impact and the newly introduced Changemaker Award, recognising organisations and individuals helping to drive transformation across the tourism and business events sectors.
Tourisme Montréal’s Fanny Beaulieu Cormier became the first recipient of the Changemaker Award, which honours an individual making an outstanding contribution to advancing regeneration within a destination. Beaulieu Cormier said the recognition reflected years of work alongside partners to transform Montreal’s tourism sector into a more sustainable and inclusive model.
“I have dedicated my career to sustainable tourism for more than eight years. This appointment fills me with immense pride and reflects the work we have accomplished with our partners to transform Montreal’s tourism sector into a more sustainable, inclusive model that generates positive benefits for the community,” she said.
The Impact Award, presented in collaboration with #MEET4IMPACT, was awarded to Fáilte Ireland for its business events impact and legacy programme. Paul Mockler, Head of Commercial Development at Fáilte Ireland, said the initiative was changing how association conferences deliver value by placing greater emphasis on economic, social and environmental outcomes.
He said the programme, developed with Ireland’s business events ecosystem, was helping to integrate purposeful impact into event design while supporting long-term legacy, stronger communities and sustainable employment.
Meanwhile, the Innovation Award went to Gdansk Tourism Organization for its “Nothing about us without us” initiative, which uses accessibility audits and communication cards to support inclusive destination development.
Łukasz Wysocki, president of the Board of Gdansk Tourism Organization, said accessibility should be viewed as “a practical way of designing better destinations for everyone”.
James Lancaster, AMI editor and one of the judges of the Innovation Award, said: "Gdansk didn't go for the headline-grabbing project. Instead they focused on a practical, affordable, scalable, and most of all impactful, scheme to help people with disabilities make their way around the city. Against stiff competition, it was a worthy winner."
He added that the project had been shaped alongside people with disabilities and others with diverse accessibility needs, and expressed hope it would inspire wider adoption of accessibility measures across destinations.
Guy Bigwood, CEO of the GDS-Movement, said the winners demonstrated the leadership and innovation needed to transform tourism and events globally, while delivering measurable environmental and social benefits.
The awards also highlighted shortlisted destinations and professionals from across Europe and North America, reflecting growing international momentum behind sustainable and regenerative tourism practices.
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
