Ecotourist Commitment
Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain's first urban ecotourism destination
Vitoria-Gasteiz has the Salburua Wetlands, which belong to the NATURA 2000 NETWORK. They are one of the pillars of the city's green ring, the result of one of the best examples of environmental restoration in Europe. The space, of high ecological and landscape value, protects the urban area from floods in a natural way and has been fundamental in the appointment of the European Green Capital. They are a unique example of nature integrated into the city.
It is not merely a space of high natural value, but can contribute to strengthening the local economic fabric, through the promotion of the tourism sector and the development of ecotourism, with the particularity of doing so in an urban environment.
With the aim of making Vitoria-Gasteiz the first urban ecotourism destination in Spain, the Salburua Wetlands (a Natura 2000 Network area) were certified under the System for the Recognition of the Sustainability of Nature Tourism in the Natura 2000 Network (SRSTNRN2000), managed by MITECO and MITUR.
This accreditation was obtained on September 2, 2022, and in April 2023 the City Council of Vitoria-Gasteiz became a member of the Association of Ecotourism in Spain (AEE). This means our recognition as a local managing entity of the Ecotourism product club in Spain (Soy Ecoturista), and allows us to develop, manage and promote the Ecotourism product in our destination and act as an interlocutor with local companies that also adhere to Soy Ecoturista.
At the same time, we have developed the phase of adhesion of local businesses, processing their certification in the System for the Recognition of the Sustainability of Nature Tourism in the Natura 2000 Network (SRSTNRN2000). This process has culminated with the certification in July 2023 of 10 local companies, listed below, giving them access to Soy Ecoturista as certified companies:
Lodging:
- Jardines de Uleta
Activities:
- Kora
- Natouring
- Fauneando
- Capital Bikes
- Ainharbe Guides
- Aitor Delgado
- Guiartu
- Galemys
- Lurbide
All this has been possible thanks to the collaboration and co-financing of this initiative by the City Council of Vitoria-Gasteiz, the Provincial Council of Alava and the Basque Government.
The accreditation of these companies represents an important commitment of the territory with ecotourism, favoring the creation of unique ecotourism experiences to achieve the articulation of an attractive tourist offer linked to the knowledge and enjoyment of the ZEC and ZEPA Salburua, thus generating quality tourism that gives visitors the opportunity to connect with nature and learn about environmental conservation, contributing significantly to the conservation of these spaces, promoting sustainability and responsible enjoyment of them. quality tourism that offers visitors the opportunity to connect with nature and learn about environmental conservation, making a significant contribution to the conservation of these areas, promoting sustainability and responsible enjoyment of them.
SRSTRN2000 is an accreditation granted by MITECO and MINTUR that differentiates Natura 2000 sites that have integrated sustainability and conservation of natural values of community interest in the management of their use.The SRSTRN2000 is an accreditation granted by MITECO and MINTUR that distinguishes Natura 2000 sites that have integrated sustainability and conservation of natural values of community interest in the management of their public use and tourism companies that comply with these management requirements by contributing to conservation in a practical way.
It is often said that Vitoria-Gasteiz is also surprising "by nature". The Basque capital has almost half a hundred kilometers for walking, cycling, bird and deer watching, or horseback riding. Its "green ring", the belt of parks and natural spaces that surrounds the city, was selected by the UN as one of the 100 best actions in the world.
The city received the European Green Capital award in 2012 and is the first Spanish city to achieve GEP (Green Enterprise Parks) certification, in recognition of its environmental and urban policies, especially those relating to climate change, sustainable mobility, air quality and acoustics, water management, and the protection of nature and biodiversity.and urban planning policies, especially those related to climate change, sustainable mobility, air quality and acoustics, water management and the protection of nature and biodiversity.
Since 2016, Vitoria-Gasteiz has held the Biosphere Responsible Tourism certification that accredits its status as a Sustainable Tourism Destination. Vitoria-Gasteiz knows and defends the importance of the conservation of Nature and the ecosystemic services it offers us: production of clean water, climate regulation by forests, pollination.... They are the basis of our health, our economy and our quality of life.
In 2019, the Global Forum on Human Settlements organization - promoted by the UN - named Vitoria-Gasteiz Global Green City, for its efforts and achievements in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2030, especially those referring to the following issues: sustainable mobility, energy efficiency, 'smart city', 'zero waste', public space policies and sustainable land use, water, environmental quality, basic services, sustainable territorial development, circular economy, agri-food strategy, governance, innovation and heritage protection.