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Madeira achieves EarthCheck Certification as a sustainable tourism destination

From left to right: Poço das Pulgas, Coastline Terra Chã, Monte Palace Tropical Garden, Porto da Cruz.

Aside from its natural heritage, Madeira has seen a growth of eco-tourism offerings in the destination, with various hotels and tour companies prioritising sustainability at the core of their DNA.

The Autonomous Region of Madeira receives ‘Silver’ certification as a sustainable tourism destination and has joined an increasing number of certified destinations by EarthCheck, the world’s leading certification entity for tourism. Madeira entered the EarthCheck certification process back in July 2021 following its ambitions of being recognised as a sustainable destination and to enhance further its sustainability credentials for tourism.

EarthCheck is the world’s leading scientific benchmarking certification and advisory group for travel and tourism, an entity accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Madeira has been recognised for its extensive work carried out over the last few decades, defending and nurturing a more sustainable territory at an environmental, cultural, social, and economic level. All the while communicating security, trust and a serious and transparent commitment to its sustainability.

Madeira, a Sustainable Archipelago

This project also follows on from the creation of the largest marine reserve in The Northern Atlantic and Europe surrounding The Savage Islands (part of the Madeiran Archipelago) in 2021, the accreditation of Porto Santo (part of Madeiran Archipelago) as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2020, as well as the Laurisilva Forest being a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, which covers around 20% of the main island.

Aside from its natural heritage, Madeira has seen a growth of eco-tourism offerings in the destination, with various hotels and tour companies prioritising sustainability at the core of their DNA.

EarthCheck Sustainability Certification Process

The certification process started in 2021, followed by the implementation of a management structure in January 2022 to lead the process and initiatives, called the Destination Management Organisation (DMO), consisting of several working groups and an advisory board. The certification process involved the definition of the Destination Sustainability Policy, as well as benchmarking that involves the collection of several qualitative and quantitative key performance indications, a risk assessment plan and an action plan for sustainability.

Eduardo Jesus, Regional Secretary of Culture and Tourism and President of the Madeira Promotion Bureau, said “this recognition, is important for the sector and for the entire regional economy, it gives greater credibility to the destination and allows expanding access to tourist markets that are more sensitive to this issue. It is a relevant step in affirming Madeira as a ‘must-visit’ at a global level, based on the sustainable development of the territory and the involvement of the entire local community”.

The ‘Silver’ EartchCheck Certification is a journey of continuous improvement, within five years, Madeira aims to receive a higher level of Certification, ‘Gold’ by pursuing its hard work of the preservation of its natural resources involving all local communities.

Co-Founder & Chief Editor - TravelDailyNews Media Network | Website | + Posts

Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.

She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.

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