They choose Torroella and l'Estartit as an example of post-COVID tourism and economic revitalization

Torroella-l’Estartit-Illes Medes has been chosen by the prestigious international association Green Destinations as an example of good practices worldwide in terms of the strategy for tourism and economic revitalization to face the way out of the COVID-19 crisis. Specifically, the development of the Tourism Sustainability Plan (2021-2023) has been very positively assessed, which has already begun to be implemented. This is a strategic municipal project that aims to consolidate and give new impetus to the transversal work of regeneration of the destination that has been carried out for three decades, based on the valorization of the territory and the promotion of culture.

In addition to this distinction, Torroella-l’Estartit-Illes Medes has revalidated the certificate that accredits it, for the fifth year, as one of the 100 most sustainable destinations in the world, according to the ranking prepared by this entity. Specifically, it has obtained the Gold Award certificate, with a higher score than the previous audit and is on the verge of achieving the Platinum Award, the highest category. According to the evaluation committee, Torroella de Montgrí-l’Estartit, through the Tourist Destination area of ​​the City Council, has applied the established criteria and indicators in an excellent way, in all areas of destination management such as nature and heritage conservation, waste management, energy and climate. The councilor for Tourist Destinations, Dúnia Oliveras, was very satisfied and excited with the awarding of these two recognitions that reward “the destination’s efforts to maintain its tourist appeal for the future, based on visible aspects such as natural heritage and the tourist offer, but also intangible aspects such as policies and management plans that include principles of sustainable development.” Oliveras also assures that this type of award is an incentive to continue working in the same line and with the same enthusiasm as before, both at a public and private level.

Example of “Restoration and recovery of tourism”
Among the certified destinations, Green Destinations organizes the “Top 100 Destination Sustainability Stories” competition, which collects stories of sustainable tourism and good practices from destinations around the world to be shared as inspiring examples to third parties, from tourism professionals to travelers. By telling their stories, these destinations can be recognized for the solutions they have implemented in response to the challenges and problems they have faced. The competition is sponsored by the Top 100 association, with special contributions from: Green Destinations, QualityCoast, Travelife, ITB Berlin, Asian Ecotourism Network, Ecotourism Australia, Global Ecotourism Network, Sustainable First and GLP Films.

The 2021 selection includes the destination Torroella de Montgrí and l’Estartit with the story “Torroella de Montgrí-l’Estartit, committed to quality, sustainability and culture”, nominated in the category “Restoration and recovery of tourism”. The municipal project incorporates, among other actions, the development of the Tourism Sustainability Plan (2021-2023). This strategic plan is promoted by the Torroella de Montgrí City Council, in collaboration with the EMD of l’Estartit, and is developed within the framework of the first edition of the “Tourism Sustainability Plans” program, promoted by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, an initiative that has the participation of the Generalitat of Catalonia, through the Department of Business and Employment. In Torroella de Montgrí-l’Estartit it also has the financial support of the Girona Provincial Council. The plan will allow the execution of 29 projects and actions, grouped into 16 actions for urban improvement, infrastructure, services and natural spaces, which will be deployed between 2021 and 2023. It foresees a global investment of 3.6 million euros. Top 100 Green Destinations
With the Top 100 awards, Green Destinations aims to highlight the work that destinations do in favour of sustainability and promote cases of good practice. A hundred international experts participate in the evaluation and selection of the awardees. In the case of Torroella-l’Estartit-Illes Medes, it is added to the Global Low-Carbon Ecological Scenic Spot award, granted in September 2018 by the Global Forum on Human Settlements (GFHS), an organization linked to the UN. On that occasion, the implementation of a sustainable and resilient development model and the integration of ecotourism in its planning were distinguished. The execution of the Life Pletera project played a key role in this.