Tourism and Mobility. Commitment to sustainability.

In recent times, a certain environmental sensitivity has been growing and has been taking hold of society, beginning to permeate all sectors. It is precisely in transport and tourism where it is being implemented the most. Although these new winds of change will become much stronger in the coming years, the reality is beginning to be felt in different sectors of society that have been trying for some time to find alternatives and proposals that continue to ensure sustainability. Renewable energies are becoming more and more widespread, implementation policies in tune with the environment and an infinite number of efforts on the part of civil society to support the good intentions of the major governments that are struggling to fulfil this commitment.

And it is in this context that companies, entities and different companies that are working towards a new technological evolution, aware of environmental needs and climate change, are appearing. Many of these organisations, companies and entities have already taken action to incorporate the policies and requirements of the different accreditations and certifications that are required with regard to the environment and sustainability. Tourist destinations such as Barcelona and Catalonia were already pioneering a few years ago in obtaining the internationally recognised Biosphère Responsible Tourism  certification for sustainable tourism. Driven by these same organisations, companies in the tourism and transport sectors have also followed in the same footsteps

Barcelona was the first urban destination to obtain Biosphere certification for its commitment to sustainability in tourism. Tourism is one of the most important activities in Barcelona and its area of influence. It is a priority for the city, both for the contribution it makes to the local economy and for the various effects it generates in the urban dynamic.

In 2015, Catalonia received its first accreditation as an integral responsible tourism destination from the Biosphere seal, awarded by the Responsible Tourism Institute, a body linked to UNESCO, a partner of the UNWTO and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. The certificate recognises the quality, environmental sustainability and social responsibility of tourist destinations.

This certification is the result of respect for diversity, a taste for cultural exchange and social integration, a reality with which the country has identified itself.

In this way, the Barcelona Provincial Council, together with the Institute for Responsible Tourism and the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, has already promoted a methodology to guarantee the quality and sustainability of tourist services in a destination, and of the services provided by both public and private companies or entities. A methodology that enables the acquisition of sufficient skills for the sustainable management of these tourist services, in close relationship with the different tourist services of the Destination. As a result of this voluntary implementation, the different tourism programmes that participate obtain the “Commitment to Biosphere Sustainability” label, which is renewable annually if the same certification criteria and requirements are maintained. The tourism and transport sectors have gone a step further by incorporating, at the same time, other certifications and accreditations and certifications that generate confidence and allow them to meet the demands and requirements of visitors and users of each tourism service or programme.

The WTTC-World Tourism Travel Council launched the “Safe Travels”. The first global seal of hygiene and safety that certifies compliance with international standards in hygiene and biosecurity against the spread of Covid19. This “Safe Travels”, seal is a set of protocols designed on the basis of the guidelines set by theWorld Health Organisation  (OMS) to create a general health policy in the tourism industry and thus re-establish confidence among travellers and provide clear guidelines for the return to tourism activity at a global level. It directly affects the areas of air and ground transportation, cruise ships, convention centres and other sectors directly linked to the travel and tourism industry. .

Numerous companies in the tourism and transport sectors have already passed the necessary checks to ensure this security and confidence in travel and mobility.

Avant grup, some years ago, was one of the companies recognised with the “Biosphere Commitment to Sustainability” certification, which has recently been renewed.

The “Biosphere” accreditation for transport is a certification of tourism sustainability designed for entities and companies dedicated to the provision of services related to the transport of tourists or leisure activities.

This certification guarantees that the certified entity carries out new, non-aggressive tourism models and considers the satisfaction of the current needs of its clients and users without compromising future generations. The “Biosphere Commitment to Sustainability” aims to extend the culture of sustainable tourism to tourism companies and services in all the counties of Catalonia, and its main purpose is to implement more sustainable management in all the agents involved in a tourist destination, whether public or private. At the same time, in recent years, Avant Grup has also incorporated ISO certifications for Quality Management, Road Safety, Occupational Safety, Environmental Management and Biological Safety, as well as the Environmental Quality label for transport fleets awarded by the Government of Catalonia, which help to maintain the confidence and safety of customers and users in the company’s mobility services.