The Green Spain Ecotourism Corridor project received backing from the Spanish Government after a positive evaluation by the Spain Tourism Experiences project review panel. Four partner regions Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and Euskadi joined the Green Spain brand call issued by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism. They confirmed that state funding would cover 98.2 percent of the budget, ensuring financial viability. A Cantabria government press release confirmed this milestone.
Javier López Marcano, minister of Industry, Tourism, Innovation, Transport and Trade, described the funding as historic for the four communities. He highlighted a long-standing effort to collaborate for more than 30 years as part of Green Spain, Europe’s largest ecotourism corridor.
The project involves a total investment of 938,073 euros and is scheduled to run through December 2023. It aims to offer sustainable tourism experiences within the protected natural areas of Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and Euskadi.
Covadonga Lakes was noted as a featured location in coverage from newspapers, illustrating the type of scenic destinations involved.
The initiative will enable the creation of a network of collaborating agencies across the region, alongside training for companies and resource managers. It will also support the design and delivery of green, sustainable experiences, products and services aligned with ecotourism principles.
Direct beneficiaries include more than 10 associations and 250 tourism companies located within the protected natural areas across 16 Green Spain destinations. These groups will participate in training activities, ecotourism certification programs and various promotional efforts planned throughout 2023.
The project features the participation of the Spanish Ecotourism Association and is expected to promote Green Spain broadly, with special emphasis on Cantabria.
The plan lays out a pilot in the Green Spain Ecotourism Corridor focused on authentic ecotourism experiences developed with local operators. The corridor will connect 18 to 20 destinations through acuerdos with protected areas that are deeply engaged and educated. The experiences are designed to unfold in stages, offering travelers a measured and immersive itinerary.
The Cantabria component includes four destinations integrated into Specially Protected Areas within Natura 2000. These include the ZEC Liébana area served by the Liébana Local Action Group and Peñarrubia, the ZEC East Mountain (Alto Asón) with the Alto Asón Community, and the ZEC Saja Nansa with the Saja Nansa Local Action Group. The Santoña, Victoria and Joyel Marshes Natural Park and Noja town area are also part of the plan.
Green Spain: a network of protected areas and a united brand
Green Spain began as a regional brand in 1989 through the collaboration of Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and Euskadi with support from Turespaña. The aim was to present a single, powerful tourism identity across the region.
The four communities reaffirmed their commitment to the brand in 2022 and agreed to increase promotional investment compared with earlier years.
Green Spain stands out as a national leader in nature, featuring 14 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, 25 natural parks, nearly 2,000 kilometers of coastline and 2,800 rural accommodations. In 2022 the coordination of the brand was led by Asturias, guiding ongoing development and promotion.