Sustainable destination management: a commitment for the future of world tourism

Purpose This paper aims to highlight the importance of implementing practices that enable sustainable economic, social, cultural and environmental development to tourism worldwide. In particular, reference is made to the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores, highlighting its certification process as an ongoing sustainable destination. Design/methodology/approach It contains an analysis of supply and demand statistics in the Azores and a characterization of policies and strategic positioning plans as an active destination and an explanation of the various steps of the certification process. Findings Through statistical analysis of the various planning instruments in the Azores, it is possible to understand the strategies of regional government in streamlining the economy without neglecting concerns about safeguarding the environmental heritage and the quality of life of inhabitants. Originality/value Through a local approach to a global issue, this paper presents the Azores as a destination and its path toward becoming one of the most sustainable regions in the world.