Madeira Strengthens Its Position as a Sustainable Tourist Destination with 78 Green Key Hotels

In 2025, Madeira reinforced its position as a sustainable tourist destination, with 78 tourism establishments awarded the international Green Key certification, more than tripling the 25 units recognised in 2015. Of the current awardees, nine applied for the programme for the first time, and three rejoined, highlighting the growing engagement of Madeira’s hotel sector in environmentally responsible practices.

The awards ceremony took place at the Sentido Galo Resort, attended by the President of the Regional Government, Miguel Albuquerque, and the Regional Secretary for Tourism, Environment and Culture, Eduardo Jesus. During the event, particular emphasis was placed on the significance of the Green Key programme in recognising hotels, local accommodations, campsites, and restaurants that implement good practices in environmental management, social responsibility, and sustainability education.

According to Eduardo Jesus, the significant increase of awards reflects an increasingly rooted environmental awareness within Madeira’s tourism activities, demonstrating that business owners are aligned with sustainability requirements and that the future of tourism depends on environmental responsibility and the promotion of natural and cultural heritage.

Despite the impacts of the pandemic, which temporarily reduced the number of awards in 2020 and 2021, the sector recovered quickly, showing that Madeira continues to lead in responsible and sustainable tourism, promoting a balance between nature, progress, and well-being.

The award is promoted by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and, in Portugal, coordinated by the Blue Flag Association of Europe (ABAE).

Find out more here.