The European project TWINNEDbySTARS, led by the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria-TIDES University Institute, is working to diversify and deseasonalise the nautical and marine tourism offer in the Canary Islands, Azores, Madeira and Martinique. As part of this commitment, a Starlight certification campaign has been launched for SMEs in the region’s maritime sector, with the aim of promoting astronomy as a differential tourist attraction.

Madeira Sunkiss Sailing has made history by becoming the first maritime company in Portugal to receive the prestigious Starlight certification, a recognition that guarantees excellence in the offer of astro-tourism experiences under protected skies. This milestone was made possible thanks to its participation in the European TWINNEDbySTARS project, which promotes sustainable tourism and astronomical observation in maritime and coastal destinations.

Starlight certification guarantees that tourism services meet strict quality criteria for stargazing, contributing to the preservation of the night sky and offering visitors authentic experiences in harmony with the environment. For Madeira, this recognition represents a unique opportunity to consolidate itself as a reference destination in astro-tourism, diversifying its tourism offer and positioning its companies in a growing market.

What does Starlight 2025 certification mean for Madeira?

For the destination:
• It reinforces its image as a privileged enclave for nature tourism and astro-tourism.
• It attracts a traveller profile interested in authentic and sustainable experiences.
• Contributes to the protection of its night skies and promotes responsible lighting practices.

For businesses:
• It opens up new business opportunities in the field of astro-tourism.
• Provides a differential value to the local tourism offer.
• It positions Madeira as a reference in nautical experiences linked to stargazing.

With this achievement, Madeira Sunkiss Sailing is not only at the forefront of astro-tourism in Portugal, but also inspires other companies in the sector to follow the same path. The TWINNEDbySTARS project continues to demonstrate its impact on the transformation of maritime tourism, fostering innovative and sustainable experiences in territories with great astronomical potential.