The Azores won the People’s Choice Award 2022, awarded by Green Destinations, in the category “Decarbonization & Positioning of the destination value supply chain”.

In a ceremony organized in partnership with Turismo de Portugal, I.P. and GLP Films, which took place on March 11, 2022 at ITB Berlin, the Azores were awarded for good energy efficiency practices throughout the region and, in particular, for the example of Graciosa Island, known as “model island”.

The attribution of the People’s Choice 2022 award proves and reinforces the strategic positioning of the Azores as a sustainable tourist destination, certified by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) criteria, and proves the region’s alignment with the European Union’s strategic guidelines for the future development of tourism.

This award is also the result of the work of the Government of the Azores in promoting renewable energies and the investments and initiatives that aim to promote energy efficiency and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

In Graciosa, these efforts are worth of mention for the adoption of several measures in terms of sustainable transport, through the investment in an electric bus and the adoption of a ‘bike sharing’ system, self-consumption in clean energy, as well as network electric optimization.

ITB Berlin is the largest travel and tourism fair in the world, in partnership with Green Destinations, an entity accredited by the GSTC that recognizes good practices in sustainable development of tourist destinations, over the last few years, projects and initiatives of in the area of Sustainable Tourism, having already distinguished the Azores on several occasions.

Source: Açoriano Oriental