This annual event held in Lanzarote brought together leaders in sustainable tourism and climate action experts to advance strategies that promote a more responsible tourism model.
The 2025 edition of the NECSTouR Knowledge Day, held on November 27 and 28 in Lanzarote, brought together international experts, regional authorities, and tourism sector representatives to discuss the future of sustainable tourism in Europe and the challenges of climate action in destinations.
Organized by the Network of European Regions for Competitive and Sustainable Tourism (NECSTouR), the meeting coincided with the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the World Charter for Sustainable Tourism, within the framework of the ST+30 World Conference on Sustainable Tourism.
In this context, Biosphere and the Responsible Tourism Institute (ITR) actively participated in the sessions, moderating one of the debate panels and sharing their expertise in tourism governance, innovation, and sustainability certification within the NECSTouR network.
During the event, Patricio Azcárate Díaz de Losada, Secretary-General of the Responsible Tourism Institute (ITR) and CEO of Biosphere, moderated a roundtable dedicated to integrating sustainability across the entire tourism value chain, one of the day’s most notable sessions.
The panel brought together international experts such as Xavier Font (University of Surrey), Liisa Kokkarinen (Visit Finland), and Marta Machado (HOTREC), who addressed the challenges and opportunities of incorporating sustainability into tourism planning, management, and certification.
In addition, Daniel Iglesias (Tourism of Tomorrow Lab) and Anssi Tarkiainen (Lapland University of Applied Sciences) presented progress from the EU-funded DEPLOYTOUR project, which promotes innovation and cooperation among tourism SMEs within the framework of sustainability.
The 2025 NECSTouR Knowledge Day focused its debate on governance for sustainable tourism and climate action, with special emphasis on climate change mitigation, adaptation, data management, and collaboration among destinations.
Throughout the sessions, the role of Lanzarote was highlighted as a model territory that has successfully integrated sustainability into its tourism strategy, developing climate action policies, CO₂ reduction programs, more efficient water management, and pathways toward Net Zero tourism.
The event also included workshops on financing for climate adaptation, collaborative governance, and sustainable development models, underscoring the importance of data and public-private cooperation as key drivers to accelerate the transition toward carbon-neutral tourism.
The participation of the Responsible Tourism Institute (ITR) and Biosphere in this gathering reaffirms their commitment to the sustainable transformation of tourism at a global scale.
As members of NECSTouR and of the Tourism Sustainability Certifications Alliance (TSCA), both entities promote the adoption of responsible and verifiable tourism practices, ensuring that travelers and destinations can identify projects aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Through the Biosphere Certification, both destinations and companies have access to an internationally recognized methodology that enables them to measure, manage, and communicate their progress toward a more resilient, inclusive, and competitive tourism model.
It is no coincidence that Lanzarote was selected as the host of this event. Recognized as a Biosphere Certified Gold Destination, the island is a global benchmark in sustainable tourism management and in the preservation of its natural and cultural heritage. Its role as host of the NECSTouR Knowledge Day symbolizes the leadership of island destinations in combating climate change and promoting tourism that balances well-being, economy, and the environment.
The 2025 NECSTouR Knowledge Day made one thing clear: the future of European tourism depends on coordinated climate action and the implementation of sustainable governance models.
Biosphere and the Responsible Tourism Institute continue to drive this transformation, supporting destinations and businesses on their path toward verifiable sustainability with tools that turn commitments into measurable results.
Photos: NECSTouR