I-DEST Sustainable Destination Award - Data-driven recognition for towns and regions based on GSTC standards

Thursday, 15 January 2026 08:47

On 15 January 2026, the I-DEST sustainable tourism portal celebrated its first anniversary.

To mark the anniversary, we are launching the I-DEST Sustainable Destination Award, which aims to showcase, based on objective and comparable data, which towns and regions are doing the most for sustainable tourism – and who achieves the most progress within a year.

The award is not just a recognition but also a tool for development and feedback: participants can track their own sustainability performance in a measurable way via the I-DEST online platform and compare it with other destinations.

The programme's goals and methodology align with the European Union's Green Transition programme: supporting the measurement of sustainability performance, transparent monitoring of environmental and social impacts, and the development of responsible, high-quality tourism.

The I-DEST Sustainable Destination Award can be awarded to a town or region that commits to uploading and publishing its sustainability steps on the I-DEST platform and reviews its data during the reporting periods (quarterly), recording its sustainability actions taken since then in the database.

Who can apply?

The I-DEST Sustainable Destination Award is open to:

towns and regions in Hungary,
as well as predominantly Hungarian-populated destinations beyond the borders (e.g., in Transylvania, Upper Hungary, Vojvodina, Subcarpathia).

Awards will be given in the following categories:

Towns with fewer than 1,000 inhabitants
Towns with 1,000–3,000 inhabitants
Towns with 3,000–5,000 inhabitants
Towns with 5,000–10,000 inhabitants
Towns with 10,000–50,000 inhabitants
Towns with more than 50,000 inhabitants
Regions (e.g., counties, national parks, geoparks, nature parks, wine regions, cultural regions)

Two main awards will be presented in each category:

Destination with the highest sustainability index
Destination achieving the greatest positive change (within one year)

Special awards will also be given in each category to the destination generating the most reach within the I-DEST system during the year.

How does the programme work?

Destinations can participate in the programme if they register on the I-DEST platform by 15 March 2026 and pay the registration fee.

Once the fee is received, the I-DEST editors will grant the destination access to the online platform.

Participants:

1. Upload initial data (indicators, background information),

2. Provide an introduction text and photos

The destination will have full access to the I-DEST platform, where:

1. They can continuously monitor their sustainability index,

2. Compare their results with other towns and regions in the system

How much does it cost?

The registration fee is determined based on the population of the towns and regions. The price includes full access to the platform for the town/region and up to 10 attractions at the location for one year.

Fewer than 1,000 inhabitants: 90,000 HUF + VAT
1,000–3,000 inhabitants: 120,000 HUF + VAT
3,000–5,000 inhabitants: 150,000 HUF + VAT
5,000–10,000 inhabitants: 190,000 HUF + VAT
10,000–50,000 inhabitants: 850,000 HUF + VAT
50,000–100,000 inhabitants: 1,300,000 HUF + VAT
100,000–250,000 inhabitants: 1,800,000 HUF + VAT
250,000–1,000,000 inhabitants: 3,000,000 HUF + VAT
More than 1 million inhabitants: 5,000,000 HUF + VAT

Region (county, region, geopark, national park, etc.): Based on the above pricing according to population

The fee includes:

Destination dashboard and appearance on the I-DEST.com website, access to all I-DEST destination services during the registration period
Display of up to 10 attractions
Fee for each additional attraction or service provider if the destination is listed on I-DEST: 20,000 HUF + VAT

Apply now