This isn't the first time Cascais has received the Green Destinations award: in 2021, the area was distinguished with gold status. This year, it took a step forward and reached platinum. The accolade was bestowed this week at the ITB tourism fair in Berlin by the Green Destinations Foundation, which promotes the sustainability of tourist destinations by certifying them according to environmental, cultural, economic, social, and management criteria.
"This award recognizes Cascais as a destination with great environmental quality, not only for what it offers to visitors but, above all, for the involvement of the entire community in developing environmentally fair solutions for the people who live here," said Luís Almeida Capão, municipal director of Environment and Sustainability of the Cascais City Council, in a statement. "Cascais aims to be the best place to live for a day, a week, or a lifetime, and that's why we have increased the area of green spaces, the number of trees planted, and we have seen an increase in biodiversity, both in protected areas and in urban areas. Community gardens, soft mobility, free and non-polluting public transport, and energy creation are all part of Cascais' present. This award is recognition of the work done," he continued.
Cascais' commitment to sustainability has been highlighted over the years with other awards, such as the QualityCoast Silver in 2013, which was upgraded to QualityCoast Gold in 2021. The new Green Destinations Platinum is another step towards achieving the coveted GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) certification, which establishes and manages global standards for sustainable travel and tourism.