The Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures was formally notified of the renewal of the Quality Coast award, an international distinction awarded by Green Destinations that distinguishes coastal environmental quality for sustainable tourism.

According to the criteria defined by Green Destinations, the Region achieved a level of compliance of 97.3% of the sustainability indicators under analysis: Destination Characteristics; Destination Management; Nature & Scenery; Environment & Climate; Culture & Tradition; Social Well-being; and Business & Communication.

The distinction now conferred on the Autonomous Region of the Azores validates the positive and consolidated evolution of the work carried out through good sustainability practices, also reinforcing the positioning and leading position of the Azores in this field.

The Azores were distinguished with this award for the first time in 2014, returning to the list of winning destinations in several subsequent editions.

The 2024 award honours the commitment and work carried out in the Region, consolidating its leading position in sustainable tourism development worldwide.

A non-profit organisation for the development and recognition of sustainable destinations, Green Destinations, based in the Netherlands, supports more than 200 destinations in 60 countries and aims to promote responsible tourism based on globally recognised principles and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Quality Coast programme, developed by Green Destination Award & Certification, challenges destinations to promote responsible management on a permanent and sustainable basis, encouraging the tourism sector to adopt relevant environmental measures.

In this regard, destinations are required to implement a sustainable management system, subject to external performance and progress audits every two years, while receiving suggestions for improvement.

This award is mainly targeted at seaside destinations, with special emphasis on shorelines, beach management and bathing water quality.

The award ceremony will take place on March 6, 2024, at ITB Berlin 2024, one of the largest travel fairs in the world.