The latest achievement follows a detailed audit covering hundreds of sustainability requirements and comes as regional authorities work to secure Gold certification in 2027.

As reported by Publituris, the certification has now been formally delivered to Madeira’s Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Environment and Culture.

This assessment examined approximately 361 qualitative criteria alongside 75 quantitative indicators, including a review of supporting documentation, interviews with members of the region’s internal working groups and Green Teams, as well as visits to a number of public and private facilities.

Destination management

An auditor from EarthCheck praised the preparation and commitment of the team responsible for Madeira’s Destination Management Organisation (DMO).

The programme involved visits to very different parts of the island’s tourism and community infrastructure, including the Lido bathing complex, the Madeira Whale Museum and the Basic School with Pre-school and Nursery in Jardim da Serra.

For Eduardo Jesus, Regional Secretary for Tourism, Environment and Culture, the renewed certification is evidence that Madeira is maintaining a consistent course towards greater sustainability.

He also emphasised that the work encompasses far more than the regional administration, as municipalities, businesses, institutions, schools, the scientific community and residents all have a part to play in the process.

Action plan

Since 2021, the sustainability programme has operated under the leadership of the Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Environment and Culture, through the Regional Directorate for Tourism’s Quality Services department, receiving technical support from the IPDT – Institute for Tourism Planning and Development.

At the centre of the system is a Destination Management Organisation involving around 90 local entities, structured into working groups that contribute to monitoring the certification process, assessing progress, discussing measures, and making recommendations.

The groups also help develop and revise the documentation required under the certification framework, including Madeira’s Sustainability Policy, Risk Management and 2022-2030 Action Plan.

Following its latest review in May 2026, the action plan contains 340 measures involving the internal working group and four Green Teams, which is 40 more actions than were included in the 2025 version.

Visitor experience

Jesus has linked this sustainability work directly to Madeira’s future economic and tourism performance, as the regional government believes continued growth must be managed in a way that protects residents’ quality of life while maintaining a high-quality visitor experience.

The next target has been established for the EarthCheck Gold certification in 2027.

However, Jesus argues that the award itself should not be regarded as the end goal.

He said the real measure of progress will be whether each stage produces better practices, strengthens the protection and appreciation of Madeira’s natural and cultural resources, and helps create a more balanced region for future generations.