At a time of growing demand for responsible travel, Spain is positioning ecotourism, innovation, and challenges as drivers of environmental regeneration, social cohesion, and economic growth. Barcelona hosted the Global Ecotourism Forum (GEF2025), a showcase for initiatives with real impact on the region.
Among the most noteworthy announcements are the consolidation of the REGENERATe project in Tenerife , Urdaibai's progress towards an accessible and inclusive model, and a workshop in Fayón (Aragon) that connects rural entrepreneurship and birdwatching. All these initiatives share a common goal: to care for the environment while creating local value.
Tenerife promotes regenerative tourism with REGENERATe
Presented as a success story at GEF2025, REGENERATe is an initiative of the Tenerife Island Council, through Turismo de Tenerife, focused on the restoration of natural areas of tourist interest and raising awareness among visitors, residents, and businesses. The approach is practical: responsible behavior, shared responsibility across the value chain, and measuring positive impacts on the territory.
Since 2024, the program has organized two editions of REGENERATe Week , with over forty regenerative volunteering activities and the participation of more than 600 people . The activities have included ethnographic and interpretive tours, environmental education, and clean-up efforts on beaches, trails, and protected areas, with support from the Office of Environmental Participation and Volunteering and companies adhering to the Charter for Sustainability.
The project includes training cycles such as REGENERATe Expert Training , which have brought together professionals from destinations, managers of natural spaces and local administrations in thematic webinars on artificial intelligence, tourism and health or climate change, bringing the regenerative perspective closer to decision-making.
Another key element is REDGENERATe , an environmental commitment network comprised of local stakeholders, residents, and institutions. Its initiatives strengthen knowledge of biodiversity , promote efficient water management, and control carbon footprints, reinforcing the link between tourism promotion and conservation.
Funded by Next Generation EU funds within the Tenerife Reset program and the Tourism Sustainability Plans Programme, REGENERATe aims to enhance tourism competitiveness by targeting new market segments and fostering industry development. The institutional strategy emphasizes the need to engage visitors and businesses to make environmental regeneration a common and viable practice.
Urdaibai advances towards an accessible and intelligent destination
At GEF2025, Urdaibai's roadmap towards universal ecotourism was also shared , promoted by Urremendi Landa Garapena within the framework of the Smart Tourist Destination (STD) project. The proposal positions accessibility as a strategic opportunity, integrating it into daily tourism management.
Among the specific measures already underway are a technical accessibility assessment of key resources, a Braille tourist map using Map's Voice technology, the digitization of the route between Laida and Laga using QR codes, a website adapted to international standards, and accessible audiovisual materials. These actions are supported by Basquetour, SEGITTUR, and European Next Generation funds.
The approach has been particularly valued by attendees at the forum, which brought together more than 500 international experts . Urdaibai's proposal emphasizes a model that not only conserves but also includes all people , reinforcing social sustainability as a prerequisite for environmental sustainability.
Aragon: Fayón connects rural entrepreneurship, ecotourism, and birds
The municipality of Fayón will host a meeting point for professionals and entrepreneurs in the nature tourism sector for a day focused on ecotourism and birdwatching tourism as drivers of employment, natural heritage conservation, and territorial cohesion. The event is part of Entrepreneurship Week in Aragon and is organized by the Aragonese Rural Development Network in collaboration with the Fayón Town Council.
The event will take place at Rivus Coworking and will begin at 9:30 with participant registration. At 10:00, the official opening will be led by Pilar Pérez (Aragonese Rural Development Network) and Roberto Cabistany (Mayor of Fayón), who will emphasize the importance of connecting government, the private sector, and the local community.
The opening presentation will begin at 10:15 with Sandra Fidalgo Martínez (ADR Jiloca Gallocanta and Birding Aragón), who will address the challenges and opportunities of ecotourism for revitalizing rural Aragon. Following a coffee and networking break (10:45), a roundtable discussion on collective strategies will be held at 11:15 with representatives from SEO/BirdLife, Espais Naturals de Ponent, APATOE, and Birding Aragón.
The second panel, at 12:15, entitled “ Starting a Business with Binoculars ”, will bring together real experiences from the private sector with the participation of guides, environmental educators and specialized companies (Photo Logistics, Káralom, Biela y Tierra, Pyrenees with you, among others), showing business formulas aligned with conservation.
As a practical activity, at 13:15 pm there will be a river navigation excursion on the Llaut de Fayón, with birdwatching on the Riba-roja reservoir. The day will conclude with an optional lunch at 15:00 pm at Camping Fayón Fishing; prior registration is required to facilitate logistics.
From the international showcase of GEF2025 to local initiatives, Spain is consolidating an ecotourism model that combines regeneration, accessibility, and entrepreneurship . Projects in Tenerife and Urdaibai, along with the activation of local networks like the one in Fayón, point to a model where sustainability translates into measurable environmental, social, and economic benefits.
