Madeira recognised for sustainability
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Wanderlust Travel Magazine has, for the second year, produced a list of the top sustainable travel destinations in Europe, known as the Travel Green List. They recruited a panel of judges – including university professors, entrepreneurs, and award-winning journalists and authors – to help review and investigate entries to the Travel Green List. The editors say “The list is not an exercise in daydreaming of reducing travel emissions to zero. Instead, it’s about recognising the need for serious changes to dozens of seemingly small practices across dozens of business types, and dozens of personal choices.”
For the 2024 edition, Madeira, one of the autonomous regions of Portugal, has made the cut and been selected as one of Europe's top sustainable travel destinations in 2024.
This tiny volcanic island – which already derives about one-third of its energy from hydro, solar and wind power – is increasingly embracing slow travel. There is a focus on small-scale, low-impact tourism, which has prompted more agritourism stays, organic vineyards and even a solar-powered catamaran tour.
Two-thirds of the archipelago's total area is protected, and Europe’s largest marine reserve, around the Selvagens Islands, was created in 2021.
In 2020, Porto Santo – Madeira’s smaller sibling a little to the north-east, an important haven for the vulnerable Mediterranean monk seal – was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Madeira was also voted 'Best Island Destination in the World'. The archipelago has received countless national and international awards and distinctions thanks to its natural wealth and tourism heritage.
With a year-round warm climate, locally produced wine, gastronomy, historical and cultural value, flora and fauna, landscapes (Laurel Forest) embroidery artisans and some of the lowest crime figures anywhere in the world, Madeira is worth serious consideration for anyone wanting to invest in property.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Portugal Property is a multiple award-winning agent and part of one of the world’s most trusted and respected corporations. To find out more about investing in a property in Portugal, contact our team of knowledgeable and professional Property Advisors - hello@PortugalProperty.com or call us on +351 308 800 878 or 0800 014 8201 free from the UK.
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Published in: Guide to Portugal / Miscellaneous / Portuguese Life / Travel