Project ‘Green Spain Ecotourism Corridor‘ received the support of the Spanish Government after being positively evaluated by the Project Evaluation Commission of the ‘Spain Tourism Experiences’ programme. The four supporter communities of this project -Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and Euskadi – applied to the call of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism through the brand ‘Green Spain’, They found that their finances were secured thanks to the state contribution of 98.2 percent of their budget.The Government of Cantabria reported in a press release.
In the words of Javier López Marcano, Minister of Industry, Tourism, Innovation, Transport and Trade, these four communities received “historic support” from the central governmentSupporting the trajectory of “working together for more than 30 years for Green Spain, Europe’s largest ecotourism corridor”.
The project, which has a global investment of 938,073 Euros, will last until December 2023. It will make it possible to offer sustainable tourism experiences in the protected natural areas of Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and Euskadi.
This initiative will make it possible to build a network of collaborating agencies in the region, provide training to companies and resource managers, as well as design and create experiences, products and services based on green and sustainable models.
Direct beneficiaries are more than 10 associations and 250 tourism companies located in the protected natural areas of 16 destinations in Green Spain.It will be able to participate in training activities, ecotourism certification and various support and tourism promotion activities to be developed throughout 2023.
The project has the participation of the Spanish Ecotourism Association and will, according to López Marcano, “a special promotion of all Green Spain and especially Cantabria”.
As he explained, the project will be piloted into the ‘Green Spain Ecotourism Corridor’, where “authentic ecotourism experiences” will be developed with local companies, which can range from 18 to 20 destinations, these protected areas are “very committed and educated” and will be connected by this corridor or eco-tour, and You can enjoy it in stages.
Specifically, in Cantabria, four destinations are integrated into Specially Protected Areas (ZEC) that are part of the Natura 2000 Network: ZEC Liébana, consisting of Mancomunidad Liébana and Peñarrubia, consists of the Liébana Local Action Group and the following companies: adhere to; ZEC East Mountain (Alto Asón) with the Alto Asón Community; and ZEC Saja Nansa with the Saja Nansa Local Action Group; as well as Santoña, Victoria and Joyel Marshes Natural Park and Noja Town Hall.
Green Spain: a network of protected areas
Green Spain is a regional brand launched in 1989 by Galicia, Principality of Asturias, Cantabria and Euskadi with the support of Turespaña. presents itself as a single target.
All committed to strengthen their commitment to the brand in 2022 and to double their promotional investment from previous years.
Green Spain is a national leader in nature, with 14 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, 25 natural parks, nearly 2,000 kilometers of coastline and 2,800 rural accommodations. During the current year 2022, the coordination of the brand corresponds to the Principality of Asturias.