With a track record of more than two decades promoting responsible environmental, social, and economic policies, Roses has obtained the Biosphere Certified label. This recognition certifies its alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and establishes the municipality as a leading sustainable tourism destination on the Costa Brava.
The municipality of Roses, located on the Costa Brava (Catalonia), has taken a further step in its firm commitment to sustainable tourism by obtaining the Biosphere Certified label. This recognition certifies that Roses has successfully implemented practices aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), establishing itself as a sustainable and responsible tourist destination.
With this achievement, Roses joins the Biosphere community, a global network of destinations committed to a tourism model that promotes continuous improvement, environmental sustainability, social equity, and balanced economic development. The Biosphere Certified label, awarded by the Institute of Responsible Tourism (ITR), ensures that the destination's sustainability policies and actions have been verified through an independent audit, providing confidence and transparency to tourists and citizens.
Roses is no stranger to sustainable tourism. In fact, its track record in this area dates back more than two decades. As early as 2003, the municipality approved its Local Action Plan for Sustainability, a pioneering document that laid the foundation for its responsible territorial development strategy. Since then, it has reinforced this commitment with notable actions such as the Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan and the implementation of environmental certifications like EMAS and ISO 14001 on its urban beaches and marina.
Roses' commitment to sustainability is also reflected in its natural environment, especially in the Cap de Creus Natural Park, a protected area that holds the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism (ECST). This European distinction recognizes the involvement of the municipality and its tourism stakeholders in the conservation of natural and cultural heritage, promoting tourism compatible with environmental protection.
Situated between the Mediterranean Sea and the unique landscapes of Alt Empordà, Roses combines a quality tourist offering with an unparalleled natural environment. Its history, marked by Greek and Roman influences, merges with a wide range of nautical, cultural, and gastronomic activities, now reinforced under a certified sustainability strategy.
The recent Tourism Sustainability Plan in Destination (RTR) aims to transform Roses' tourism model, focusing on energy efficiency, technological innovation, sustainable mobility, and the improvement of the urban and natural environment. With the attainment of the Biosphere Certified label, the municipality confirms that this roadmap is fully underway and consistent with the principles of regenerative tourism.
Roses' Biosphere certification is the result of a joint effort between the public administration, the business sector, and the local community, all involved in generating a positive long-term impact. This recognition not only positions Roses as a benchmark for sustainable tourism on the Costa Brava but also enhances its appeal to conscious travelers increasingly interested in responsible, authentic, and environmentally respectful experiences.
From Biosphere, we congratulate Roses on its incorporation into our global community of certified destinations and encourage more municipalities to follow this path, demonstrating that tourism can be a tool for positive transformation aligned with the global challenges of our time.
Photo: VisitROSES