Title – Name
Asociación de Ecoturismo en España
Scope / Sector / Industry
Ecotourism
Country / Region
Spain
Why is it good practice?
The Ecotourism Association of Spain (Asociación de Ecoturismo en España) is considered a good practice ecotourism network, as through the participation of local organizations and businesses and in collaboration with the Spanish Ministry of Tourism, it has managed to highlight the country’s ecotourism product and bring economic and environmental benefits to the areas mentioned.
How is it applied?
The Ecotourism Association of Spain is a non-profit association created in 2010 to promote sustainable tourism in protected areas. Its establishment was the result of an initiative by the Ministry of Tourism to create a body that would contribute to the “Promotion of Natural Tourism”, as stated in the corresponding strategic plan drawn up in 2005. Today, the body is mainly made up of associations of tourism entrepreneurs located in natural places, protected area management bodies, public tourism management administrations, rural development groups, nature conservation bodies, universities and companies specialized in tourism, and its objective is to provide collaborative, innovative and sustainable solutions to promote ecotourism in these natural destinations.
To achieve its objectives, the Ecotourism Association of Spain contributes to:
- the strengthening of protected natural areas as ecotourism destinations,
- the institutional and private promotion of ecotourism,
- the improvement of knowledge about the sector,
- the promotion of innovation and digitalization,
- the promotion and communication,
- the marketing and
- the evaluation of the Spanish ecotourism product.
The Ecotourism Association of Spain is in fact the management entity of the ecotourism product in Spain and with its initiative “Soy Ecoturista” (I am Ecoturista) brings together destinations (management bodies) and companies that offer authentic ecotourism experiences in destinations that are recognized as protected (e.g., national and natural parks, geoparks, Natura 2000 areas, etc.). Destinations and companies that are members of the Association must meet a series of environmental and social requirements that guarantee their contribution to the conservation of biodiversity and local development. These requirements can be those established by the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas of the EUROPARC Federation, or similar systems such as Geoparks, Natura 2000 Network, etc. In addition, the “Soy Ecoturista” label also has its own core set of requirements that are consistent with the aforementioned systems.
Today, the Association consists of over 2.000 small member businesses, almost all in rural areas, but also in protected coastal environments. It also has 64 partners in 14 autonomous communities of Spain, representing more than 40 protected natural destinations. To promote the above ecotourism product, the organization created the web portal “Soy Ecoturista”, where the following ecotourism areas and services are promoted:
- Natural sites
The recognized ecotourism destinations of Spain (42 in total) are displayed, i.e., destinations that host protected natural areas such as National and Natural Parks, Biosphere Reserves, Geoparks, Natura 2000 Network Areas, etc. In these destinations, local actors collaborate and have undertaken a series of commitments to promote responsible tourism, environmental conservation and the improvement of the quality of life of residents. For each destination, a full description of its characteristics is given and, at the same time, all the sustainability actions implemented by each management body within the framework of its protection are displayed. Additional information is provided on the sights, local products and activities that the ecotourist can do (e.g., hiking and cycling on suggested routes, etc.) and specific guides for each place. - Accommodation
Proposals for accommodation are displayed (e.g., hotels, private houses and apartments, camping, etc.) and for each proposal, reference is made to the environmental and sustainable commitment of the accommodation, as well as to its services and cost. - Activities
A variety of outdoor activities are promoted such as hiking, cycling, kayaking, sailing, safaris, observation (flora, fauna, sun, stars, etc.), diving, bakery, weaving on a loom, gardening, caving, visits to wineries, dairies, farms, historical, cultural and artistic sites and other activities. The information for each activity refers to the company’s environmental and sustainability commitment, the cost and services included in it, the duration and location of the activity, and other accompanying information that the visitor needs to know. - Getaways
Thematic short-day getaway packages in the countryside are promoted that include some outdoor activity, accommodation, food, etc. These getaways may concern activities such as nature photography, meditation, yoga retreat, hiking, etc. Information is provided for the packages offered, such as the cost, the services included in it, the getaway program, etc. - Land products
In the context of promoting local gastronomy and Spanish products, all gastronomic activities offered by the members of the Association are promoted. From restaurants, to visits to wineries, farms, dairies, canneries, beekeeping, etc.
All of the above destinations (management bodies) and service providers are members of the Association and have acquired the “Soy Ecoturista” label. Furthermore, for the convenience of the ecotourist, reservations and payment for each service can be made on the Union’s platform itself.
In addition to the above actions, other initiatives of the Association to promote ecotourism in Spain include its participation in the project “Ecotourism Experiences: Sustainability and Digitalization of the Ecotourism Experience Network in Spain”, which aims to improve the sustainability, digitalization and communication of the experiences of the country’s ecotourism product. In addition, it is a partner in the “Green Spain Ecotourism Corridor” project, from which the first major ecotourism route in Spain will emerge.
Finally, since 2016, it has been implementing the National Ecotourism Conference annually, with the aim of laying the foundations and criteria for the adequate development of ecotourism in the country in collaboration with all stakeholders. The first National Ecotourism Conference was a milestone for ecotourism, as the Daimiel Declaration was created, a roadmap for improving the ecotourism product.
Where is it applied?
The activities of the Association are addressed at all those interested in discovering the special and recognized natural landscapes of Spain through a variety of activities provided by outdoor professionals, which are promoted by the Association itself.
When did it applied?
The Ecotourism Association of Spain was created in 2010.
Results
To measure the results of ecotourism development actions, the Association created the Ecotourism Observatory in 2017, with the support and funding of the Minister of Tourism. The Observatory aims to better understand the profile and consumption habits of ecotourists (demand), as well as the local tourist services (supply) that make up the ecotourism product in Spain. The Ecotourism Observatory, which has been collecting data since 2018, carries out 3 surveys annually:
- a demand survey, aimed at travelers who have stayed or carried out an activity at the Association’s member companies,
- a survey of entrepreneurs who are members of the Association,
- a survey of tourism managers of destinations that collaborate with the Association.
The results of the 2023 Ecotourism Destination Supply Survey showed that:
- The number of tourists increased in the non-tourist season, demonstrating that ecotourism can contribute to its expansion. Autumn is the season when the largest increase was observed, followed by winter and spring.
- The average occupancy per year increased from 2022 and a significant increase (30.7%) was observed in the number of clients per company in the various service categories (excluding travel agencies).
- Ecotourism activities were the most popular of the services provided in the destinations.
- Businesses (excluding environmental education centers and activity providers) employed an average of 3 people as permanent staff and 2 people on a temporary basis, who are mainly women.
The survey involved 300 businesses (208 businesses in 2022) operating in 40 ecotourism destinations, in 12 different autonomous communities of Spain.
Other Information
The Ecotourism Association of Spain, in order to ensure greater participation in the research on tourism demand, is implementing a lottery for the ecotourists who participate in it and the winner wins another getaway for 2 people to one of the participating destinations. The lottery is held every 4 months and the winner of each lottery can choose their prize from a posted list of ecotourism packages.
The official website of the Ecotourism Association of Spain is: https://soyecoturista.com/en/
