Las Batuecas Sierra de Francia Natural Park Ecotourism Commitment
Preserving nature is our main objective
Our identity is sustainability
In the Las Batuecas Sierra de Francia Natural Park, a protected area dedicated mainly to landscape conservation, important work is carried out to protect biodiversity. The commitment to the conservation of this natural space is deep-rooted and deep-rooted, evidenced by the daily activities dedicated to its preservation.
The Natural Park Batuecas - Sierra de Francia adopted in 2008 the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism (CETS), is in the process of new accreditation in 2024, is an initiative of the Europarc Foundation that seeks to promote sustainable tourism in protected natural areas of Europe.
The CETS is a tool for work, planning and commitment that lasts over time. To maintain this accreditation, an action plan must be implemented, participation structures must be maintained and renewal must be requested. It is a joint process that is the responsibility of all stakeholders in the territory, including the Permanent Forum on Sustainable Tourism for all local and regional stakeholders involved (Authority responsible for the protected natural area, the community and conservation authorities, and representatives of local and regional businesses).The Forum is the responsibility of all the stakeholders of the territory, including the Permanent Forum for sustainable tourism for all the local and regional agents involved (authority responsible for the protected natural area, the community and conservation authorities, and the representatives of the tourism companies) in the tourism development of the territory and the conservation of the natural and cultural resources of each protected natural area and the Working Group composed of the representatives of the groups that are within the Forum with the capacity to manage funds. Both actors promote the protected natural areas as sustainable tourism destinations, through effective planning, management structures and participatory processes in order to ensure that visitors can enjoy the Batuecas-Sierra de Francia Natural Park in a more sustainable way.
There is a Strategic Plan for sustainable tourism. This plan is coordinated by the Provincial Council of Salamanca. The period of application of both plans is from 2020 to 2024 included.
Significant progress has been made in the sustainability of tourism in the Batuecas - Sierra de Francia Natural Park. n of 21 companies with the CETS, the homologation of 11 hiking routes by the FEDM, the sustainability awareness program, the sustainable promotion with a digital marketing campaign sierra de Francia and the training programs: five courses:
- Technologies for tourism marketing and customer management.
- Sustainable tourism and local development in the Sierra de Francia.
- Management of a tourist accommodation. Catering: menu planning.
- How to use new technologies in tourism companies.
- Ecotourism. Tourist use of protected natural areas.
Three phases have been developed for the implementation of CETS:
- Phase 1: Accreditation of the protected natural area in our case the Natural Park Batuecas - Sierra de Francia.
- Phase 2: Adhesion of tourist companies that meet criteria of quality, sustainability, commitment to conservation, local development and linkage with the protected area collaborating and supporting the objectives of the Natural Park Batuecas - Sierra de Francia in conservation and development. Currently in the Natural Park Batuecas - Sierra de Francia there are 36 companies adhered since May 2010.
- Phase 3: Adhesion of travel agencies with the aim of promoting the marketing of a tourist offer in protected areas, contributing to conservation and local development.
The CETS is a recognition of the park's commitment to promote sustainable tourism through effective planning, management structures and participatory processes, addressing key aspects of sustainable tourism in these particularly valuable and fragile territories.
Inaddition, the park is part of the Natura 2000 Network, with categories such as ZEPA (Special Protection Area for Birds) and ZEC (Special Conservation Area). This designation highlights the importance of this space in the protection of birdlife and the conservation of its natural environment.
Also, it has the Q for Tourist Quality certification granted by the Institute for Spanish Tourist Quality (ICTE) in 2011, it is a voluntary recognition that implies the application of a continuous management system to meet the expectations of visitors. The natural park Batuecas - Sierra de Francia as a protected natural area preserves and conserves the unique characteristics, the natural and cultural heritage of the environment to allow visitors to enjoy nature and in turn learn about the importance of conservation.
The Natural Park Batuecas - Sierra de Francia, as part of the Soy Ecoturista Club, is committed to promoting responsible tourism that values and protects its natural environment. Through sustainable and biodiversity-friendly activities, it seeks to raise awareness among visitors about the importance of conserving this unique ecosystem. It also supports local initiatives that promote economic development in harmony with the preservation of the environment.