According to Publituris, since 2013, Guimarães has been the scene of a profound sustainable transformation, the result of a governance strategy that anticipates the 2030 Agenda and promotes the involvement of the entire community, says the municipality, which emphasises that the European Green Capital 2026 award is proof of this commitment, now reinforced with EarthCheck's Bronze recognition in the Sustainable Tourist Destination certification process.

The certification process of this international entity is, by definition, progressive, always starting with bronze, and progressing to the highest distinction. It is predicted that Guimarães could still achieve Silver certification in 2025.

For Paulo Lopes Silva, councillor at the City Council, this is a fundamental step towards establishing Guimarães as an international reference in the sector: “This certification is a recognition of the work we have been developing and a commitment for the future” which highlights that “we want Guimarães to continue to grow as a sustainable destination, promoting responsible tourism aligned with the environmental and social challenges of our time”.

It should be noted that EarthCheck certification is an environmental quality seal that reflects the integration of sustainability into the municipality's public policies. Through the creation of a Destination Management Organization (DMO), it was possible to structure a multidisciplinary team dedicated to the administrative management of the process, aligning strategies and policies with the international standards of the EarthCheck Destination Standard (EDS).

Through the integration of tourism into the Sustainable Development Action Plan 2020-2021 and participation in European projects such as Greentour, as well as the promotion and training of the sector for GreenKey seals, measures were adopted to ensure the preservation of natural resources and the enhancement of local cultural identity.

The commitment is clear: sustainable tourism that respects heritage, promotes the local economy and ensures visitor satisfaction. This certification validates this path and opens doors to new opportunities, consolidating Guimarães as a model to follow in the transition to a greener and more responsible future.