Ecotourist Commitment
The Ebro Delta is committed to sustainability
Committed to sustainability and respect for nature
The Ebro Delta Natural Park has established itself as an ecotourism destination, thanks to its strong commitment to sustainability and promoting quality tourism, respectful and beneficial to local communities. This effort has been recognized internationally with distinctions such as the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism, EDEN Award (European Destinations of Excellence), Ebro Lands Biosphere Reserve declared by UNESCO and Soy Ecoturista (Ecotourism product club in Spain).
The Association of Ecotourism Companies of the Ebro Delta (AEEDE) was born, in 2005, in order to present the candidacy for the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism (CETS) of the Ebro Delta Natural Park. In 2013 it joined Soy Ecoturista to work together with certified ecotourism companies in the territory for a model of responsible tourism development committed to the preservation of protected natural areas.
The Ebro Delta Natural Park joined the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism (CETS) in 2007, a key step towards the promotion of responsible tourism that safeguards the natural and cultural heritage of the territory.
This accreditation, managed by the EUROPARC Federation, consists of the implementation of a participatory work methodology that aims to structure and promote the development of a sustainable tourism model in Europe's protected natural areas and ends with the recognition by the Federation itself, as a territory adhered to the CETS.
The accreditation process of the Ebro Delta Natural Park (PNDE) has been characterized, above all, for being a participatory process, seeking the maximum involvement in the design of the candidacy, aiming to promote the development of a sustainable tourism model in the protected natural areas of Europe.The process of accreditation of the Ebro Delta Natural Park (PNDE) has been characterized, above all, by being a participatory process, seeking maximum involvement in the design of the candidacy, pursuing common objectives and intense cooperation between the administrations in charge of managing the territory, the various county and local agents, as well as private entrepreneurs in the territory.
In 2005 the first approach to the CETS took place, when a group of tourism entrepreneurs of the territory promoted the organization of the Doñana Natural Area - Delta de l' Ebre Natural Area Conference, which was organized by the Doñana Natural Area - Delta de l' Ebre Natural Area.Ebre, which were organized by the Institut de Desenvolupament de les Comarques de l'Ebre (IDECE) and in which the CETS and the candidature documents of the Doñana National Park (Andalusia) were presented.
In February 2006, PNDE technicians participated in the renewal of the Garrotxa CETS (PNZVG) and in March 2006, the PNDE Governing Board approved the start of the application process for the park's candidacy for CETS.
At the beginning, a Working Group and the Permanent Forum were created, and the documents (Diagnosis, Strategy, Action Plan and Application Report) of the CETS Candidacy Report were elaborated.
Thus, Delta del Ebro implemented Phase I of the CETS in the territory in 2007 with a 5-year period (2007-2011) and with an Action Plan that included 64 actions with their corresponding responsible entities.
In 2011, work began on the first renewal of Phase I of the CETS for the 2012-2016 period, presenting a new application dossier which, in addition to the documents presented in 2007, also included a monitoring and evaluation document for the previous five-year period. This renewal includes a new Action Plan with 53 actions.
During the second half of 2016, work began on the second renewal of the CETS for the years 2017-2021 with an Action Plan of 59 actions.
We are currently at the halfway point of the 2022-2026 candidacy, which includes 75 actions.
In relation to Phase II of the CETS, in which tourism companies in the territory are accredited if they voluntarily wish to do so, as long as they meet certain initial requirements, the PNDE began to register companies in 2009. There are currently 47 tourism companies (accommodation, activities, restaurants, farm stores, etc.) that have adhered to Phase II of the CETS.
Phase III of the CETS, in which travel agencies adhere, began in the Ebro Delta in 2019 with the adhesion of one company, and during 2024 2 more have joined.
In 2005, the Association of Ecotourism Companies of the Ebro Delta (AEEDE) was created in order to present the candidacy for the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism (CETS) of the Ebro Delta Natural Park and to work together with certified ecotourism companies in the territory to develop a model of responsible tourism development committed to the preservation of protected natural areas .
This commitment to sustainability includes a set of actions aimed at balancing the economic, social and aesthetic impact of tourism with the environmental and cultural integrity of the Ebro Delta.
In 2013 it joined Soy Ecoturista, with the aim of collaborating with other natural areas and companies in Spain that also promote ecotourism. This commitment translates into concrete actions to ensure the ecological balance of the Ebro Delta, minimizing environmental impacts and promoting tourism experiences offered by companies that prioritize the conservation of the territory.
The Ebro Delta Natural Park is constantly working to apply the principles of the quality label of the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism, a planning tool and a commitment between the managers of the area, tourism companies and other entities and agents of the territory. Among the main actions are the governance between public and private sectors, the protection of natural and cultural heritage, the offer of high quality tourism experiences, the promotion of the local economy and the promotion of seasonal tourism.
On the other hand, the Ebro Delta Natural Park is part of the Ebro Lands Biosphere Reserve, designated by UNESCO in 2013 . This mark recognizes the biodiversity and valuable natural and cultural heritage of the region, promoting a balance between environmental conservation and sustainable development. Within this reserve, the Ebro Delta Natural Park is linked as a key area for the preservation of unique habitats and emblematic species, while promoting sustainable practices in natural resource management and tourism.
Likewise, in 2009 the Ebro Delta Natural Park was awarded EDEN (European Destinations of Excellence) certification in recognition of its innovative and sustainable approach to tourism management. This distinction highlights the Ebro Delta as a destination that promotes balanced tourism development, respecting its valuable natural and cultural environment, while offering authentic and high quality experiences to visitors. EDEN certification reinforces the park's commitment to sustainability and the preservation of its unique resources.