The Government of the Azores, through the Regional Secretariats for Tourism and Transport and for Natural Resources, has submitted another application of the archipelago to the "Quality Coast" programme, which certifies and promotes sustainable coastal tourist destinations at an international level in accordance with environmental, socio-economic and cultural criteria.

Since 2009, the Azores have been distinguished four times with the "Quality Cost Gold Award" for the work developed to promote good sustainability practices. In 2012, the Region was distinguished as "Top Quality Coast Destination" among hundreds of other European destinations.

The "Quality Coast" programme challenges regions to promote environmental management and social policies on an ongoing and sustained basis with the aim of stimulating the tourism sector to implement environmental practices leading to its ecological certification.

Given its international credibility and transparency, the "Quality Coast" award is in the top 20 among 138 international certification systems for sustainable tourism.

Developed by Coastal and Marine Union (EUCC) of the European Union, the "Quality Coast" programme is primarily intended to promote the sustainable development of coastal destination, through an information strategy addressed at visitors, as well as to establish a world network of coastal communities that share the same sustainable development values and practices.