Gran Canaria receives the 'Biosphere Destination' sustainability certificate

 

The activity in Gran Canaria on the second day of the International Tourism Fair, Fitur 2024, focused on issues of tourism sustainability, accommodation and connectivity. On the one hand, the president of Gran Canaria, Antonio Morales, and the Minister of Tourism, Carlos Álamo, received the 'Biosphere, Destination' certificate on behalf of the destination, as part of the Island's commitment to sustainability. In addition, Carlos Álamo participated in a meeting with the owners of a new hotel in Las Canteras and an event, with the participation of Iberia Express, in which the historical maximum in connectivity was announced.

 

 

The island received the 'Biosphere Certified' distinction from Patricio Azcarate Díaz de Losada, president of RTI, after passing an audit process in which the island's commitment to sustainability, and that of a large part of its fabric, has been recognized. business, based on its contribution to the 17 SDGs and 169 goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda. Gran Canaria has already positioned itself among the 15 European destinations with the highest number of accommodations with sustainability certification. 

 

Antonio Morales, island president, pointed out that this initiative, led by Gran Canaria Tourism, adds to the efforts that the island as a whole is making from various sectors in its "firm" commitment to sustainability and the 2030 Agenda. We insist on a message for the future that is very beneficial for the competitiveness of the Gran Canaria destination,” he noted before explaining that the island's commitment, in relation to its tourist destination, is supported by three pillars: sustainability, innovation and digitalization, and diversification. “It is clear that we must address a need that is pressing for the planet and that is more pressing, if possible, in a fragile territory like ours. The Biosphere certificate provides great visibility to all the initiatives or companies that complete a fairly simple process, and which raises everything from the need to move in a sustainable way to greater equity and social justice, also in relation to our tourist clients and the return they produces in our society,” explained the president of Gran Canaria. “It is a common project and now we are distinguished with an international reference seal that gives us a plus in competitiveness,” Morales added. 

 

The audit proposed by the Responsible Tourism Institute (RTI) highlights the island's efforts to promote and support local agriculture and its distribution markets; awareness and training campaigns on efficient water use; and for guaranteeing the protection of labor rights in all its scope

 

For his part, counselor Carlos Álamo highlighted the importance of making visible the efforts made to provide the destination with new tools and the growing value of these attributes in the current tourism market, “especially valuable for a new tourist client with environmental sensitivity who It is beginning to be the majority in the European environment, as confirmed by the British and German markets, and they are looking for accommodations and destinations that do not have a negative impact on the environment. Therefore, these certificates, like those that tourism companies can obtain, become a decisive factor when planning and choosing a destination and accommodation.” 

 

Patricio Azcárate explained that Gran Canaria joins with this new certification in a platform with more than 35 tourist destinations, with the participation of 77 countries and 4.500 certified companies in the world that are taking steps and advancing in sustainability issues and in the commitments of the agenda 2030. “The certification of the destination includes an alignment of public policies to analyze the contribution of tourism to the United Nations indicators and, at the same time, allows the inclusion of companies from the island that will appear in 'Booking.com´ with the highest certification in sustainability. The important thing is that they are immersed in a process of continuous improvement and this allows them to attract a client who is increasingly aware of sustainability and intends that their vacation stay does not have a negative effect on the environment while they enjoy the Island." , explained Azcarate, who highlighted the communicative value that the certificate has for a client looking for guarantees.

 

Gran Canaria already has 43 certified companies and more than 100 in the process of receiving certification, of which 60% are accommodations. This places the island destination among the 15 with the highest number of certified accommodations. “In an increasingly conscious market, the commitment to sustainability projects a clear message of adaptation. Biosphere allows and facilitates the connection between destinations, the business community, citizens and tourists to improve the sustainable practices implemented, and helps create synergies that represent a fundamental step towards a more responsible future and, in addition, allows companies to position themselves against the demands of today's consumer,” added the president of RTI. 

 

Carlos Álamo pointed out that a majority of surveys agree that the client admits to being willing to spend more, reaching an increase in their spending of 30%, as long as a sustainable vacation experience is offered, with gastronomic and artisanal services or products. or fashion, for example, that meet the objectives of the 2030 Agenda. Therefore, we need the maximum involvement of the business community and, although the response is massive, we encourage companies that have not yet done so to integrate into this international platform, because what it allows us to do is communicate better, differentiate ourselves, reach the client and let them know how much and good we are already doing and that we take care of our territory. 

 

The Cabildo of Gran Canaria, through the Ministry of Tourism, joined the 'Biosphere Destination' program in December 2021 with the priority of adjusting its tourist destination to the three pillars of sustainability: socioeconomic, environmental and territorial. ; in line with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the United Nations 2030 Agenda. Since then, it has successfully passed an RTI audit that ended on December 20.  

 

The final report assessed, among other things, the Gran Canaria Cabildo's own initiatives on sustainability issues such as the organization of gastronomic events in sessions to promote sustainable products, respect and dissemination of regulations related to the protection of water ecosystems. , and a labor policy whose pillars are fundamental labor principles and rights. 

 

Gran Canaria Tourism considers it essential in the development strategy of its offer and given the business opportunity that sustainability implies for the new international client, to value many of the already existing virtues of the destination and the development of others to attract and build the loyalty of a client committed to the environment and who prioritizes the impact of the tourism footprint through a sustainable proposal linked to active tourism, of recognized international prestige and which also aims to attract a younger client. 

 

Maximum connectivity

 

The tourist destination of Gran Canaria is in a favorable moment, with historical highs in key aspects such as billing and connectivity. In this last sense, the Gran Canaria airport exceeded 14 million passengers last year, calculating the visitor's outbound and return flights. Last year it already increased its connectivity by 22% and this 2024 presents a positive outlook with 545.115 spaces scheduled between January and March and 1.186.830 spaces planned between April and September, that is, for next summer. The increase is 17%. 

 

A notable part of the growth in the number of seats and routes is found in Binter's commitment to its expansion process in the national territory, together with the Portuguese. Gran Canaria has routes with 24 cities on the Peninsula and the Balearic Islands, with new flights to Madrid, by Binter, or to Bilbao with Volotea. 

 

Iberia Express also highlighted its commitment to Gran Canaria during the second day of Fitur. The national company also reported its historical record, with data that includes the arrival of 940.000 passengers to the island during 2023. Iberia Express' planning includes reinforcements at specific times of the year, such as Carnival, Easter and Christmas.