Denmark is the first country in the world to have developed a national eco-labelling system for tourist areas where development is recognised as sustainable – called “Destination 21”.

Rio Earth Summit 1992

A “Destination 21” can consist of just a single municipality but can also be a larger area comprising several municipalities. In a “Destination 21” the municipalities, local tourist industry and the local public work jointly for sustainable development, in line with the policies formulated by countries from many parts of the world at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit – also called Agenda 21, from which the designation “Destination 21” was taken.

A sustainable destination protects natural areas to ensure that tourists can enjoy positive encounters with the countryside and culture and that reduces consumption of water, energy and chemicals. A Destination 21 also develops its tourism in a way that takes account not only of the natural world and the landscape but also helps to foster new appreciation of natural and cultural values for the benefit of local inhabitants also.

In Denmark Møn and Odsherred can promote themselves as a "Destination 21".

While travelling in Denmark, you may see blue flags flying on some beaches or in harbours. These flags are symbols of an international environmental campaign that awards the flags to beaches and harbours that make an extra effort towards achieving a cleaner coastal environment.
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When you see a Blue Flag is flying, it means that a number of environmental targets have been met: for example, that the water is fine for bathing, that tests are made regularly, that hygiene is up to standard and that there is information on the importance of the marine environment at the beach/harbour.

In 2004, the European environmental campaign granted the Blue Flag to 209 Danish beaches and 77 Danish harbours.

List of Blue Flag beaches (LINK til GUIDEDK)
List of Blue Flag harbours (LINK til GUIDEDK)