The results are in, and the archipelago of the Azores has become the world's first destination to be awarded the Platinum Quality Coast Award (2014-2015) by the largest international certification programme for sustainable tourism destinations, Quality Coast.

Having been named the No.1 sustainable tourism destination in 2013-2014 by Quality Coast, the Azores bettered the Gold Award standard it achieved in 2013-2014, becoming the first destination ever to achieve the Platinum Award standard. The Azores scored highly in all of the programme's criteria including factors such as nature, marine life and coastal areas, landscape, clean water, blue flags, culture, hotels, environment, socio-economic factors and identity/community.

The unanimous decision to recognise the islands with the highest possible award was made by an international panel of coastal and marine management experts. As a result, the Azores have been named the No.1 sustainabletourism destination by Quality Coast for a second year running, beating over 1,000 other coastal and island destinations to the top spot. The accolade cements the archipelago's recent rise to the forefront of the sustainable tourism field, having been recognised as a Quality Coast award-winning destination since joining the programme in 2009.

Only around 5% of the Azores' ground is 'built-up' urbanized area. Today, the archipelago makes effective use of renewable geothermal energy, and its main industries include agriculture, dairy farming, livestock ranching, fishing, and tourism which is becoming a major service activity. The number of regulations and protected areas in the Azores is continually rising, thanks in no small part to the importance placed on the environment in schools.

The volcanic islands have low levels of development and offer many sites of natural heritage and protected marine life, which include UNESCO Biosphere Reserves sites. Marine life includes dolphins, sperm whales, great whales, marine turtles and birds, pelagic fish and cold water corals.The islands, which were also certified as a UNESCO European Geopark in 2013, offer well-regulated hiking and cycling trails, 33 Blue Flag beaches, snorkelling and scuba diving. 

To find out more about the Azores Islands, visit www.visitazores.com

To find out more about the study, visit www.qualitycoast.info

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Editor's Notes:

The nine islands of the Azores are in the middle of the North Atlantic and belong to Portugal. They can be reached by direct flight from the UK in less than four hours from April – October, or via Lisbon year round. These volcanic islands are renowned for their craters, beautiful lakes, stunning sea, thermal pools and mountain vistas, their impressive flora and fauna and marine life. The islands have played a hugely important part in European maritime history, due to their strategically significant position as the westernmost point of Europe.

For more information, high resolution images or details of press trips please contact: David Wilson or David Ezra at KBC PR & Marketing: david.wilson@kbctravelgroup.com / david.ezra@kbctravelgroup.com / 01825 763636