ecoRetreat

Boosting Sustainable Tourism Through Certification

EUROPEAN GOOD PRACTICE COLLECTION 2021

NOMINATION FORM

Please send until 6^th August 2021 to (herbert.hamele@ecotrans.de / cc diego.nunez@ecotrans.de)

NOMINATING CERTIFICATE

Biosphere© Tourism Certification

Contact Person:

 Patricio Azcárate, padiaz@biospheretourism.com.

Yolanda Bazán ybazan@biospheretourism.com

NOMINATED BUSINESS

 ecoRetreat

Internet contact

 https://ecoretreat.es/es/

Size of business (if known)

Category

Activity/tour operator

Country

Spain

Destination, with related protected area(s)

Name of the destination: Cataluña

Name of protected area(s) and/or major cultural heritage site(s) (if not the same name as the destination): Various such as  Parque Nacional de Aigüestortes y Lago de San Maurici, Delta del Ebro, Alt Pirineu, etc.

Contact Person at the nominated business

Name, email: Marten Schirmer, marten@iberiasports.com

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS

according to following SDGs on Tourism4SDGs.org:

Please indicate very briefly their exemplary or innovative actions and measurable achievements (including quantified results if known)

SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production

The tourism sector needs to adopt sustainable consumption and production (SCP) modes, accelerating the shift towards sustainability. Tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for tourism including for energy, water, waste, biodiversity and job creation will result in enhanced economic, social and environmental outcomes.

Exemplary or innovative actions:

 Within their company it is very important avoiding using plastic products (or products wrapped in plastic).

The entity has a sustainable purchasing and subcontracting policy, including criteria and requirements related to social, cultural and environmental factors.

The selective collection and maximum recycling of waste produced by the entity is encouraged, including food waste, as well as its proper disposal prior to treatment.

SDG 13 - Climate Action

Tourism contributes to and is affected by climate change. Tourism stakeholders should play a leading role in the global response to climate change. By reducing its carbon footprint, in the transport and accommodation sector, tourism can benefit from low carbon growth and help tackle one of the most pressing challenges of our time.

Measurable achievements: Objectives on reducing CO2 emissions have been formulated and a monitoring plan has been developed. Both can be found in the company policy document. We do see that we could do even more by collaborating with local organizations to support them with their fight against the climate change

They are planning on using Ecosia as their searching machine, which plant trees for every search and are run by 100% solar energy. In addition, they are starting to collaborate closer with local organizations who fight for the preservation of Catalonia's environment (e.g., reforestation).

SDG 14 – Life below Water

Coastal and maritime tourism rely on healthy marine ecosystems. Tourism development must be a part of Integrated Coastal Zone Management in order to help conserve and preserve fragile marine ecosystems and serve as a vehicle to promote a blue economy, contributing to the sustainable use of marine resources.

They are working on placing informative panels with sustainable practices and interesting information about the nearby aquatic/marine ecosystems.

SDG 15 – Life on Land

Rich biodiversity and natural heritage are often the main reasons why tourists visit a destination. Tourism can play a major role if sustainably managed in fragile zones, not only in conserving and preserving biodiversity, but also in generating revenue as an alternative livelihood to local communities.

Exemplary or innovative actions:

The entity provides the client with information and awareness-raising resources to increase awareness and respect for terrestrial ecosystems. Their products work in line with the nature and are aimed to preserve it.

They also work to respect noise pollution, as they assure and inform our clients to keep the noise level low, espcially at the accommodations as they are all close to the nature.

They only work with specialized eco-guides that carry out the activities, ensuring the education towards the appropriate treatment of the environment and its inhabitants. All guides are checked beforehand. 

SDG 8 - Decent work and Economic Growth

Tourism, as services trade, is one of the top four export earners globally, currently providing one in ten jobs worldwide. Decent work opportunities in tourism, particularly for youth and women, and policies that favour better diversification through tourism value chains can enhance tourism positive socio-economic impacts.

Exemplary or innovative actions:

They are constantly searching for collaborations with entrepreneurs and young professionals in Barcelona and Metropolitan area.

Also, flexible working hours and spaces are promoted.

The product they offer is based on local suppliers. That means that all accommodations are in the nearer Catalonian area. Furthermore, they work with many local eco-guides as well as we use public transportation to bring our clients to the destination.

SDG 17 - Partnership for the Goals

Due to its cross-sectoral nature, tourism has the ability to strengthen private/public partnerships and engage multiple stakeholders – international, national, regional and local – to work together to achieve the SDGs and other common goals. Public policy and innovative financing are at the core for achieving the 2030 Agenda.

Exemplary or innovative actions:

The company’s philosophy is encouraging sustainable thinking, and base all our operations on that. Therefore, they collaborate only with eco accommodations in the nearer Catalonian regions, to strengthen to local tourism. Furthermore, the company’s objectives are dedicated on reducing their environmental impact.

Measurable achievements:

They proof the sustainable commitment of their suppliers beforehand. This is done by means of a check-list. An accommodation, guide or activity planner, needs to fulfill a certain amount of these check-points. Therewith they assure that we only collaborate with companies that also support sustainability.

Link to further information about the nominated business (if available):

https://ecoretreat.es/our-philosophy/