Azores elected as best Quality Coast destination in Europe

The Azores won the 2013 QualityCoast Gold Award, an international award for the best sustainable tourism destination. From 1000 candidates, the jury selected 100 destinations, and from these the Azores were ranked first, for the 4th consecutive year.

The Quality Coast Programme, promoted by the Coastal and Marine Union (EUCC) of the European Union, aims to promote sustainable development in coastal destinations through information strategies addressed to visitors, as well as to establish a world network of coastal communities that share the same principles and good sustainable development practices.

In fact, by winning the 2013 QualityCoast Award the Azores are acknowledged for their good sustainability practices. Among the criteria taken into account by the jury the following stand out: sustainable tourism in places that kept their local identity and natural heritage, scenic beauty and environmental quality.