The certificates highlight the desire of institutions themselves to promote tourism which is respectful towards and committed to its surroundings. The distinction not only recognises the desire of the administration to help companies make sustainable efforts, but also to adopt the good practices being promoted.

The recognition comes eleven years after the Catalan capital became the first urban destination to obtain the Biosphere certificate. Later, along with the three tourist brands, it obtained another classification, the Biosphere Gold.

Over 300 city companies recognised

The certifications and distinctions also recognise over 844 entities in the Province of Barcelona which manage their activity respectfully towards the environment, culture and social and economic return. Nearly 200 of these are new additions, while the rest have seen their certification renewed. Over 300 of these, some 40%, are in the capital.

Companies which obtained this certification can now request the Safe Travels seal, the first to be approved on a global scale and issued by the Barcelona Tourism Consortium. The seal recognises prevention and hygiene measures against Covid-19 to generate safe spaces for travellers.

The distinctions were awarded in a ceremony at the Llotja de Mar, rounding off a series of activities devoted to sustainability month through the campaign “+ sostenibilitat turística. Juny 2022”. The campaign consisted of a series of events based around sustainable and responsible tourism in the counties of Barcelona, aimed at both the tourist sector and the general public.

A programme based on the 2030 Agenda

The Biosphere Commitment to Sustainable Tourism programme started life in 2017 and was promoted by Barcelona Provincial Council, the Institute for Responsible Tourism and the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce. With the Barcelona Tourism Consortium and the City Council joining in 2019, the programme bases its methodology on working towards the seventeen sustainable development goals in the UN’s 2030 Agenda.

Photos: Gabriel Cazado