The hallmark of sustainable tourism is its ability to meet today’s needs without compromising those of future generations.Sustainability is an unwavering value in our tourism model, and Catalonia has an important role to play in this. Both the public and private sector have a responsibility to ensure management is based on the highest sustainability standards possible. When aligned with this commitment, our actions help to build a better future. By redressing climate change and tackling society’s needs, we make Catalonia a better place to live for our citizens and a better place to visit for our guests.
The Catalan Tourist Board increasingly strives to base its tourism strategy and marketing campaigns on the most sustainable management possible so that every step brings us closer to the goal of a fully sustainable Catalonia. That is why, we are adhered, since 2012, to the Voluntary Agreement Programme for the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, a tool promoted by the Catalan Office for Climate Change (OCCC) for those seeking a voluntary commitment to reduce its GHG emissions beyond requiring legislation. However, we cannot do it alone. This mission is only possible with the support of the entire Catalan tourism industry and its tourism establishments and organisations.
The Catalan Tourist Board Sustainability Strategy
Tourism faces major challenges and threats and is one of the most vulnerable economic activities to unexpected events, as shown by the health crisis that began at the end of 2019 and is having socio-economic repercussions on a global and local scale.
The Catalan Tourist Board’s 2021-2023 Sustainability Strategy, with its Tourism Marketing Plan, is the organization’s framework promoting a sustainable tourism and tourism marketing model for the coming years.
Publication 2021-2023 Sustainability Strategy
The Voluntary Agreements Programme of the Catalan Office for Climate Change
Since 2012 the CTB has been a member of the Voluntary Agreements Programme for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Each year and in accordance with the ISO14046:2019, the CTB monitors its GHE. This programme also includes an annual commitment to take action to reduce these emissions. The Catalan Office for Climate Change (OCCC) is the entity that verifies the membership of this programme.
Infographic about the carbon footprint 2021 (in catalan)
Publication Catalonia, a sustainable destination
The Catalan Tourist Board increasingly strives to base its tourism strategy and marketing campaigns on the most sustainable management possible so that every step brings us closer to the goal of a fully sustainable Catalonia. That is why, we are adhered, since 2012, to the Voluntary Agreement Programme for the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, a tool promoted by the Catalan Office for Climate Change (OCCC) for those seeking a voluntary commitment to reduce its GHG emissions beyond requiring legislation. However, we cannot do it alone. This mission is only possible with the support of the entire Catalan tourism industry and its tourism establishments and organisations. The following publication gives a summary of public and private initiatives that are helping us reach our goal, little by little. We hope that it can serve as a blueprint for other industry stakeholders to follow.
Access the publication in English – Catalonia, a sustainable destination
Tips on how to manage your business more sustainably
Below are ten initiatives aimed at helping you manage your business or establishment more sustainably. The videos cover a range of ideas, from water use, energy consumption and waste management, to making your business more accessible or helping to get your sustainable management measures across to your clients.
List of videos – Catalonia, a sustainable destination
Tips for reducing water consumption
Tips for reducing energy consumption
Tips for improving air quality
Tips for bringing your clients in contact with nature
Tips for efficient business management
Tips for introducing new technologies in your business
Tips for minimising and managing waste
Tips for making your business more accessible
Tips for monitoring your business’ consumption and procurement
What is the sustainability level of my company?
Sustainable management of businesses is essential for the future of the tourism industry. More and more, tourists are choosing companies with a higher level of commitment to offering tourism experiences linked to respect and generosity. This publication breaks down the key concepts related to the three pillars of sustainability: society, environment, and economy. It includes a tool for self-assessing the sustainable management of a business, as well as tools to calculate the carbon footprint and related impacts.
Publication Guia visual per a una gestió sostenible del teu negoci (Catalan version)
The Catalan Tourist Board presents different tools aimed at the MICE sector to facilitate achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the professional meetings and events held in Catalonia. Check the Infographic and download the tools here:
Learn how to better communicate your efforts in sustainability
In a market full of similar options in terms of price, location, convenience and brand, values and sustainability actions can and do make a product different. Consumers prefer companies that are environmentally and socially responsible. Therefore, it is necessary to offer interesting, attractive, original and easy-to-understand products, and this is where sustainability gains ground. In this publication you will find 5 questions that will help you promote and communicate your uniqueness and the efforts you make to improve the sustainable management of your business.
Publication Obre les portes (catalan version)
Accessible Tourism. Glossary of concepts and the accessible tourism chain
Accessible tourism is about enjoying environments, infrastructures, equipment, and services on equal terms, with autonomy and safety. This publication explains the concepts surrounding accessibility, describes in detail all the links that form the accessible tourism chain, and emphasizes the importance of not breaking this chain in order to have a positive travel experience. It also provides a series of indicators related to each link, to identify where accessibility needs to be reviewed in a destination, product, or service. All of this with the aim of improving the quality of tourism services and products, achieving true tourism for all.
Publication Glossari de conceptes i la cadena de l’accessibilitat turística (Catalan version)
Accessible tourism is a key factor in the Catalan Tourist Board’s sustainability strategy.
We work together in collaboration with the tourism sector to remove architectural and attitudinal barriers in order to achieve our main target: offer anyone the opportunity to enjoy completely its leisure time, particularly those people with special needs.
We are fully aware of the issues that the tourism industry can encounter when adapting its establishments and facilities to those with accessibility requirements. That is why we wanted to publish this guide with tips and ideas that provide real solutions for improving the quality of tourist facilities and services and in turn the corporate social responsibility of our sector. This guide has been selected as a Good Practice 2019 in the International Design For All Foundation Awards 2020.
Interactive publication in Catalan
Interactive publication in Spanish
Data and research on outbound tourism markets
We consider “people with accessibility requirements” to be all those individuals who either have a permanent or temporary disability or issue that may make it difficult for them to go about their daily routine. They can have sensory, mobility, communication or cognitive issues, as well as limitations that may not be apparent on the surface. Many of the people who fall into this category are those with disabilities, those over 65 with age-related health issues or people travelling with children.
These videos give concise information with data on tourism market volume in different countries with a high potential for demand, people’s reasons for travelling, the destinations chosen and tools for drawing in this market segment.
A publication featuring all these data is also available for download:
Accessible events
The Catalunya Convention Bureau has developed a series of tools to promote accessibility in professional meetings and events.
Tourist accessibility software PROA
In order for tourism agents in the Catalonia destination to be able to know the degree of accessibility of their facilities, the tourist accessibility program PROA is made available to the sector. It is an online tool that allows up to 20 different types of tourist spaces (public and private) to be analyzed free of charge, in order to evaluate them and improve their accessibility. By filling out a quick-response questionnaire, they will obtain their results regarding various types of disability, as well as proposals for improvement to adapt their spaces to Tourism for All.
