2026 EDITION
Top 100 Stories Competition
CELEBRATING INSPIRING STORIES OF RESPONSIBLE TOURISM.
A story competition by the
What is the Top 100 Stories Competition?
The Green Destinations Top 100 Stories Competition has run annually since 2014. Since the program’s inception, it has showcased more than 660 global destinations that are putting responsible, forward-looking tourism into practice.
At its heart, the Top 100 program gives visibility to stories that uplift communities, protect heritage, and demonstrate how thoughtful destination management can create meaningful change. The selected stories show that with commitment, collaboration, and clear objectives, progress toward more sustainable tourism is possible.
600+
Destinations Registered
100+
Countries Represented
11
Editions
Every year, the Green Destinations Top 100 Stories competition celebrates destinations committed to creating better places for their communities and travellers. By sharing real solutions to real challenges, the program highlights how tourism can be a force for positive change.
The Top 100 is a global movement of destinations using storytelling to inspire learning, collaboration, and long-term change.
Why Stories?
The power of storytelling in celebrating your sustainable tourism journey
Show your destination’s authenticity and transparency
Highlight authenticity by presenting local voices, lived experiences, and context-specific solutions.
Become part of a global community
Inspire peers globally by sharing replicable approaches that other destinations can learn from and adapt.
Strengthen your destination branding and place identity
Communicate your place brand more effectively to visitors and stakeholders through narratives that are engaging, memorable, and easier to understand than technical assessments.
Receive meaningful recognition
Show real impact by illustrating how policies and initiatives translate into benefits for communities, nature, culture, and visitors.
Why Participate?
Check out the benefits!
PROMOTIONAL BENEFITS
BOOST YOUR VISIBILITY AND STRENGTHEN YOUR DESTINATION BRAND
Participating in the Top 100 Stories Competition gives destinations powerful promotional advantages:
Global exposure through Green Destinations’ communication channels and partner networks
Increased visibility across international media and sustainability platforms
A stronger, story-driven narrative for destination branding
Opportunities to be featured in global marketing campaigns and highlight stories
Use of the “Top 100 Stories Selected” badge to promote your leadership in responsible tourism
RECOGNITION OPPORTUNITIES
CELEBRATE YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS AND GAIN INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR YOUR SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS
The Top 100 Stories program opens the door to several levels of global recognition:
Selection in the annual Top 100 Stories list
Eligibility for the Green Destinations Story Awards, celebrated each year at ITB Berlin.
Nominee and finalist status, offering elevated visibility and prestige within the international tourism community
Opportunities to present your story at the Green Destinations Global Conference, engaging with professionals, media, and partners.
LEARNING & CAPACITY BUILDING
BUILD YOUR SKILLS, CONFIDENCE, AND CAPACITY TO TELL AUTHENTIC AND IMPACTFUL STORIES.
Through the program, destinations gain access to expert learning designed to strengthen sustainability communication and storytelling:
A new Story Discovery Scan to help you identify your destination’s challenges, values, and most impactful actions.
Expert Masterclasses with sustainability and storytelling specialists to deepen your knowledge and elevate narrative quality.
Interactive Workshops that guide you step-by-step in shaping a strong Good Practice Story.
Guidance based on the updated Good Practice Story Template, built to integrate powerful storytelling techniques.
Who can participate?
*Need clarity? Confirm your eligibility through our short online form.
Local Destinations
including villages, cities, municipalities, islands
Regional Areas
including counties, regions, provinces
Protected Areas
Including public natural or cultural parks
Private Destinations
operating with multiple businesses
How the process works?
December 1 2025 - Applications Open
Register your interest – Check eligibility
Confirm participation & complete payment
March 31 2026 - Registration Deadline
Discover your GPS: A self-assessment process that helps you identify your most impactful story, based on your destination’s characteristics and priorities, in collaboration with the Top 100 team.
Masterclasses and Workshops: After registration and payment you will receive access to Masterclasses and Workshops
Prepare and Submit your Story: Applicants submit a Good Practice Story following the official 2026 template. This includes the challenge addressed, the solution implemented, the results achieved, and evidence of impact.
June 15 2026 - Good Practice Story Submission deadline
Evaluation: Stories are reviewed by the Green Destinations team and international experts. The evaluation considers clarity, credibility, and impact.
August 2026 - Announcement of Top 100 Selection
Announcement of Top 100 Selection: The Top 100 List is published globally. Selected stories receive promotional visibility and communication support.
October 2026 - GD2026 Top 100 Unveiling Ceremony
Unveiling Ceremony: All Top 100 selected stories are invited to receive their recognition at the Top 100 Awards ceremony.
Green Destinations Story Awards Nominees Annoucement: Outstanding stories are shortlisted and invited to participate in the Green Destinations Story Awards.
Green Destinations Story Awards Jury Voting
March 2027 - Green Destinations Story Awards @ ITB Berlin
Fees and Payment Structure
€700 program fee*
Discounted Fees
*Destinations may qualify for a discounted fee or waiver depending on their location and status. Eligibility for discounts will be assessed and confirmed after your registration is submitted.
THIS FEE INCLUDES ACCESS TO
Program core elements
- The story review process
- Expert evaluation
- And the international promotion of selected stories.
Interactive workshops
EXPERT MASTERCLASSES
In-depth learning with sustainability and storytelling specialists to strengthen narrative quality and impact.
Interested in the Top 100 Fee Waiver Program? Click here to learn more
(Only 5 spots available / Due date: 31 January 2026)
A Green Destinations CSR Initiative
The Top 100 Fee Waiver Program is part of Green Destinations’ commitment to fairness, inclusivity, and global access to sustainability storytelling. Through this CSR initiative, we support destinations that demonstrate strong commitment to responsible tourism but face financial barriers to participation.
WHAT THE PROGRAM OFFERS:
- Full or partial waivers of the €700 participation fee
- Priority for destinations in developing countries, remote regions, or areas with limited tourism funding
- Support for communities whose stories can inspire global learning and positive change
WHY WE OFFER THIS:
This CSR program reflects our mission to ensure that impactful sustainability stories can be shared—regardless of a destination’s financial capacity. By reducing barriers, we aim to elevate diverse voices, encourage equitable participation, and strengthen global representation in the Top 100.
WHO CAN APPLY:
Destinations that:
- Demonstrate a clear interest in developing and sharing meaningful Good Practices
- Show commitment to sustainable practices in tourism
- Have limited access to financial resources
- Can benefit significantly from increased visibility and capacity-building