A key goal for the destination of Madeira in 2022 is to enhance its sustainability credentials for tourism. ‘Madeira. Belongs to All. So Sustanable’ is the slogan of the project which aims to involve the entire local community. The certification process with EarthCheck began last week – the world’s leading scientific benchmarking, certification and advisory group for travel and tourism and an entity accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). It is due to be completed by the start of 2023.
This coincides with a growth of eco-tourism offerings in the destination, with various hotels and tour companies prioritising sustainability at the core of their DNA.
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.
EarthCheck Sustainability Certification Process
The process involves those working in tourism, the wider local community and visitors, seeking to meet sustainable development objectives (SDGs) defined by the UN and sustainability criteria of the GSTC, thus reinforcing the integrated development of the destination sustainably, across environmental, economic, social and cultural aspects.
