Siena is the first art resort to become sustainable according to the standards of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, a nonprofit organization that sets standards for sustainable development of the tourism industry globally. Created by the UN Environment Program and the World Tourism Organization, it promotes sustainability and social responsibility in tourism. 

Siena is the first recognized Italian case of a sustainable tourism destination in the world. It all began at the end of 2021, when the City of Siena, embarked on the path to become the first city of art in Italy to obtain the international sustainable tourism certification, which arrived in February after intense concerted work between the private and public sectors, with the help of associations and contrade.

The city of Siena is not the only Italian location that is sustainable in terms of tourism. In fact, Southern Sardinia was the first sustainable destination in Europe according to the standards of the European Commission, which recognized green policies and actions carried out in favor of the territory and the community.

In 2019 it was the turn of Valsugana, a green area in Trentino, then the first and only destination certified not only in Italy but in Europe and the world, again according to Gstc criteria. In 2020 it was the turn of the Tarvisio, Sella Nevea and Passo Pramollo Tourist Promotion Consortium, which undertook an initiative as part of the Interreg WoM365-365 Days World of Mountains project to enhance the Tarvisio-Nassfeld-Pressegger See cross-border region. In South Tyrol, after the recognition of the San Vigilio di Marebbe area, came the recognition for Alta Badia and Val D'Ega.