Salou, one of the main tourist destinations on the Costa Dorada, is moving toward a more responsible tourism model by signing the Salou Biosphere Destination Commitment Charter. With this agreement, the municipality officially begins its certification process as a Biosphere Certified Destination, aligning its policies and actions with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This commitment strengthens the efforts of the City Council and the Municipal Tourism Board to establish Salou as a benchmark destination in sustainability, innovation, and responsible tourism management.
Salou, a leading tourist destination on the Costa Dorada, has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability by signing the Salou Biosphere Destination Commitment Charter.
The official event, held on December 16, 2025, marked the formal beginning of the process for the municipality of Salou to become a Biosphere Committed Destination. The event took place in the Jaume I Hall of the Salou City Hall and brought together local authorities, tourism sector representatives, and sustainability experts, who actively participated in the signing of the commitment.
The Mayor of Salou and President of the Municipal Tourism Board, Pere Granados, and Patricio Azcárate Díaz de Losada, Secretary General of the Responsible Tourism Institute (RTI), were the signatories of the charter.
During the event, Pere Granados Carrillo, Mayor of Salou and President of the Municipal Tourism Board, emphasized that “this commitment reaffirms Salou’s vision as a destination that sees tourism as an opportunity for shared progress—respectful of the land, culture, and the quality of life of its citizens," and stressed that sustainability "is not a one-time goal, but a process of continuous improvement.”
With the signing of this Commitment Charter, Salou becomes part of the international Biosphere destinations network. This distinction, granted by the Responsible Tourism Institute (RTI), marks the beginning of its journey toward becoming a Biosphere Certified Destination. The process involves the implementation of sustainable practices aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), establishing a continuous improvement model in the field of tourism.
In a Mediterranean municipality like Salou, sustainability is a core value for protecting its natural resources and biodiversity. In addition to its beautiful coastline, with iconic beaches such as Llevant Beach and Capellans Beach, Salou offers a rich network of trails and natural spaces, including the Coastal Path and the Garraf Natural Park, making it an ideal setting for ecotourism and responsible enjoyment of the territory.
For his part, Patricio Azcárate Díaz de Losada, Secretary General of the Responsible Tourism Institute (RTI) and CEO of Biosphere, expressed his enthusiasm for this step by Salou toward sustainability, emphasizing that “the municipality is joining an international network of destinations committed to responsible tourism, based on measurable, participatory criteria aligned with global standards.”
Salou, which welcomes millions of visitors every year, understands the need to integrate responsible and sustainable practices throughout the entire tourism value chain. The signing of the Commitment Charter is not only a symbolic act but also a starting point for launching concrete projects that promote environmental regeneration, ecosystem conservation, and the improvement of residents' quality of life.
Among the first steps Salou must take toward achieving Biosphere Certified status is the implementation of policies aimed at preserving and enhancing its cultural and natural heritage, developing tourism products that respect the environment, actively promoting knowledge exchange and best practices, supporting exemplary sustainability initiatives, and incorporating cultural diversity into training, research, and tourism education programs. The document also highlights the importance of new technologies as key tools to help visitors better understand and appreciate heritage.
These elements are essential to position Salou as a benchmark for sustainable tourism on the Costa Dorada and internationally.
Salou’s integration into the Biosphere Committed network not only reinforces its position as a sustainable destination but also boosts the local economy by enhancing the competitiveness of tourism sector businesses. In addition to recognizing the commitment to sustainability, Biosphere certification provides an effective tool for measuring, managing, and transparently communicating these efforts—an increasingly valued factor among environmentally conscious travelers.
In this way, Salou continues to strengthen a responsible and balanced tourism model fully aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This action reaffirms the municipality’s commitment to making sustainability a guiding principle in the planning, management, and promotion of local tourism activities.
By signing this Commitment Charter, Salou embarks on an exciting journey toward sustainable tourism. This is only the first step in a process that will lead to the Biosphere Certified distinction—an international recognition that confirms the correct implementation of sustainable practices.
As the sector moves toward a more balanced and responsible tourism model, destinations must act with determination, innovation, and collaboration. Salou is a clear example of how sustainability and responsibility are integrated as strategic pillars of tourism development.
At Biosphere and the Responsible Tourism Institute (RTI), we celebrate this important milestone and reaffirm our commitment to supporting Salou at every stage of this process—helping build a more sustainable, regenerative, and conscious destination.
Photo: Salou City Council