Ecotourism commitment
Our planet needs us
A pioneering site in the implementation of the Natura 2000 Network
In November 2020 the ZEC Area and ZEPA "Sierra de Ayllón" joined the System for the Recognition of the Sustainability of Nature Tourism in the Natura 2000 Network, a few months later several companies were certified. The Sierra Norte de Guadalajara Natural Park has been a pioneer in the implementation of this System, coordinated by MITERD and the Secretary of State for Tourism of MINCOTUR, by participating in the pilot project for its implementation.
This system 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 businesses that comply with these management requirements, contributing to conservation in a practical way. It is based on collaboration between tourism entrepreneurs and the managers of the Natura 2000 sites in whose environment they operate.
In 2020, the ZEC and ZEPA 'Sierra de Ayllón' joined the System for the Recognition of the Sustainability of Nature Tourism in the Natura 2000 Network (SRSTNRN2000), being one of the first to obtain this recognition in Spain. This system is promoted and endorsed by the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge and by the Ministry of Industry and Tourism, and allows Natura 2000 sites and companies to be distinguished for their commitment to the conservation of their natural values and tourism sustainability, by applying a series of requirements and good management practices. It is based on collaboration between tourism entrepreneurs and the managers of the Natura 2000 sites in whose environment they operate.
Collaboration with the managers of the protected area in the Sierra Norte de Guadalajara enables entrepreneurs to receive specific training on the values and conservation objectives of the Natural Park, which helps them to shape their activity around sustainability, ensuring the preservation of the resources that sustain them and enabling them to better transmit their value to their clients. On the other hand, it allows visitors to have a better experience based on the knowledge of the natural values that are the object of their visit, and the satisfaction of contributing to their preservation with all the guarantees of sustainability. Finally, it offers the managers of the areas tools to improve the management of their public use and to be sure that the nature tourism activity carried out in the protected area is compatible with a favorable state of conservation of its natural values, and contributes to sustainable local development.
The Association of Rural Tourism Sierra Norte de Guadalajara was born in 1998 to network the different businesses in the region: lodging, active tourism and ecotourism companies, restaurants, wineries, stores... in order to create synergies between them and promote together the tourist destination. The figure of the Association allows to develop promotion actions and to be a valid interlocutor in professional meetings as well as with the administration.
We support each other, we learn from each other, together we generate wealth and we are guardians of a rich and valuable territory for our present and our future. For this reason, we are committed to Ecotourism, to the conservation and enhancement of our destination and to making it known in a conscious and reasoned way so that the people who visit us enjoy it and help us to protect it.
The Sierra Norte de Guadalajara Association joined the Association of Ecotourism in Spain in 2021, with the aim of becoming part of this nationwide network that works to promote ecotourism, with a firm commitment to the conservation of the natural and cultural heritage of natural areas and the sustainable development of the territory. Finally, in 2022, with the ZEC and ZEPA Sierra de Ayllón and several companies with the SRSTNRN2000 certificate, the destination Sierra Norte de Guadalajara joined Soy Ecoturista, thus being able to differentiate itself as a destination and certified ecotourism companies.