Sustainability finds a home in Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria has been awarded the demanding ‘Biosphere Destination’ seal, also earning a spot in the top fifteen European destinations with the most certified accommodation.
Gran Canaria takes care of you and itself. The island embraces its primary sector and invites us all to eat local produce. It also raises awareness on responsible water use and caring for natural resources, from its oceans and beaches to its forests and summits. These are examples of a global commitment which implicates not only public administrations but also the private sector. For a while now, all Gran Canaria’s paths have been leading to the same place: the need to be an increasingly sustainable tourist destination.
This belief in responsible land use and protecting Gran Canaria’s rich biodiversity has been acknowledged by the ‘Biosphere Destination’ certificate, based on criteria set by the European Commission ‘Environmental Labels and Schemes’ indicator in the audit performed by the Responsible Tourism Institute. It is a further nod to anyone who wishes to enjoy places committed to sustainability and contribute to a better future, even when they are on holiday.
There are two essential parts to the declaration. On the one hand, Gran Canaria is one of the top fifteen European places offering accommodation with sustainability certification. Furthermore, the analysis highlights the island’s commitment to local agriculture, plus awareness-raising and training campaigns concerning rational use of water resources, alongside social factors such as transparency, maximum respect for workers’ rights or social progress.
Gran Canaria is part of a fast-flowing global current in this respect, with every intention of becoming its figurehead. In fact, the seal recognises its alignment with the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals and 169 goals in the United Nations 2030 Agenda. This is the culmination of a path that began in December 2021, when the Gran Canaria Cabildo, through its Ministry of Tourism, joined the ‘Biosphere Destination’ programme to adapt its tourism destination to the three axes of sustainability: socioeconomic, environmental and territorial. It is also a new principle.
The strategy stems from the European Commission Joint Research Centre, which developed this new indicator in what is known as the EU Tourism Dashboard. It intends to characterise the tourism ecosystem through indicators per country and monitor progress as it lowers environmental impact and improves digitalisation and socioeconomic resilience.
Along this line, Gran Canaria became aware of the worldwide climate reality with programmes to help it adapt to global warming, conservation of endemic species or the fight against ocean pollution. Gran Canaria is clearly a ship that has chartered a course towards a more sustainable future, and we all have a ticket to get on board. Shall we set sail for new horizons?
