The distinction, presented at the IV Social City Congress in Lagoa and Portimão, was based on the work developed for the Melgaço Sustainable Tourist Destination Gold Level Certification by EarthCheck. This status reflects the balance between tourism growth, environmental preservation, resource efficiency, and local quality of life, with goals such as a negative carbon footprint and a high recycling rate.
The Mayor of Melgaço, José Albano Domingues, highlighted the commitment to sustainability as a fundamental pillar of the territory's development. "This result was only achieved thanks to the work of many. I congratulate the technical team and express my deep gratitude to the local stakeholders," he stated.
“"Winning this Municipal Excellence Award reflects the commitment to sustainability and its positive impact on the community. It is a materialized vision that projects a future of excellence for the territory. We embrace sustainability as a fundamental pillar of our development, and this result was only achieved thanks to the work of many. I extend my congratulations to the technical team and my profound gratitude to the local agents, whose dedication made the Gold Certificate possible."
Tourism is one of Melgaço's main economic drivers, and the strategic focus on a sustainable model aims to protect the municipality's identity, enhance its offerings, and attract conscious visitors, thereby generating employment and boosting the local economy.
The “Municipal Excellence Awards” recognize and promote good practices and innovation in local public management across nine areas, including Tourism, with Gold and Diamond accolades.
Additionally, the Melgaço Sustainable Tourist Destination Gold Level Certification was featured in the official publication of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), projecting Melgaço's sustainable development model on a global scale.
