The Azores have just achieved “Gold Level II” certification as a sustainable tourist destination from EarthCheck, a global organization specializing in accreditation, consulting, and advisory services in sustainability, with a particular focus on tourist destinations and the tourism industry.

This is yet another certification that, according to the Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility, and Infrastructure, Berta Cabral, “makes the region proud” and “proves that the Government of the Azores is on the right track to consolidate the destination.”

The Azores achieved EarthCheck Gold Certification as a sustainable tourist destination in 2024 (they already held Level IV Silver).

This new achievement by the Azores (“Gold Level II”), the minister continues, “reinforces the Region’s leadership in sustainability, consisting of international recognition that positions the Azores at a level of excellence.”

“In addition to demonstrating the region’s commitment to preserving the natural and cultural heritage of the nine islands, EarthCheck certification reinforces the destination’s positioning by giving it a competitive advantage in the market over competing destinations,” she adds.

Berta Cabral emphasizes that this certification is an ongoing and evolving process, designed to inspire confidence and motivate stakeholders by highlighting continuous improvement through active work and strategic initiatives aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda (SDGs), including resource management, cultural preservation, and biodiversity protection.

She continues: “The Azores will continue to work to maintain and improve the destination’s sustainability standards, to preserve the natural and cultural uniqueness of the territory, protecting the well-being of the local community, and benefiting visitors so that they can experience the Azores in its most authentic and preserved form.”

Under the auspices of the Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Mobility, and Infrastructure, the Azores Tourism Destination Sustainability Management Structure (Açores DMO) is the entity responsible for managing the sustainability of the Azores as a destination.

The Azores are, to date, the world’s first archipelago to hold this certification. Berta Cabral emphasizes that the weight of tourism in the Azorean economy has been intensifying. Despite earning “medals” in sustainability, the archipelago is undergoing a “continuous process” and facing challenges amid tourist pressure. The government official also notes that “the positioning of the Azores as a tourist destination has been developed on the premise of sustainability.”

“The Azores are a national and even global example of how it is possible to reconcile tourism, nature conservation, and quality of life. The impetus for sustainability is also felt by tour operators: Overall, much has been done in the Azores in recent years towards sustainability. Compared to other places, there is a great deal of concern about this issue,” she concludes.

From Press Release.

Translated into English as a community outreach program by the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL), in collaboration with Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno. PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.