Benidorm achieves the Biosphere seal and consolidates its position as a benchmark in sustainable tourism

Benidorm has achieved Biosphere certification, developed by the Responsible Tourism Institute, which measures the sustainability of destinations and their commitment to continuous improvement and to developing actions that generate a positive impact on the territory and the quality of life of residents and visitors. As Mayor Toni Pérez explained, “With this certification, we have completed the first phase of the project we began a few months ago to optimise our tourism sustainability strategy through the application of the Biosphere methodology, which certifies the correct implementation of sustainable actions and practices in Benidorm, also measuring and auditing their scope and impact.”

The mayor recalled that this project falls under pillar number 4 of the 2023 Destination Tourism Sustainability Plan (PSTD), ‘Green Benidorm,’ which is financed with Next Generation funds and prioritises actions aimed at increasing sustainability and moving towards a model of sustained and socioeconomically and territorially sustainable growth.

The awarding of the Biosphere certification, which places Benidorm within the Biosphere community of national and international destinations, comes after the City Council completed an external audit focused on the management of public services, especially those aimed at tourists, and how this truly contributes to sustainability in its three dimensions.

Toni Pérez stated that “obtaining the Biosphere seal certifies that in Benidorm we are doing things right, that in our daily management we are advancing and consolidating our environmental, economic, and social sustainability, and that we are also a benchmark in tourism management and urban innovation.”

Now that the City Council has obtained the Biosphere seal, “a new phase of the project begins, one focused on our "We want the tourism sector in Benidorm to also improve its competitiveness in the area of ​​sustainability and to have, just as the City Council has had, access to the tools to achieve Biosphere certification," she explained.

To this end, companies are being given access to a sustainability self-assessment platform so they can determine their starting point and then receive guidance to improve and become certified. The first information sessions with companies have already taken place, with the participation of the Councillor for European Funds and Innovation, Aida García Mayor, who encouraged the sector to take advantage of the opportunity offered by this project.