The organization responsible for the tourism and destination management of Gran Canaria has renewed its Biosphere certification after successfully completing the periodic evaluation and monitoring process.
Issued by Biosphere Responsible Tourism (BRT), the certification confirms the organization's conformity with the applicable requirements of the Biosphere certification scheme for destinations, within the evaluated scope, and reinforces the continuation of a management process based on documented evidence, periodic review, and continuous improvement.
Turismo de Gran Canaria, the organization responsible for the island's tourism and destination management, has renewed its Biosphere certification, issued by Biosphere Responsible Tourism (BRT), after successfully completing the evaluation and monitoring process established under the certification scheme.
The renewal confirms that, within the certified scope, the organization continues to comply with the requirements established in the Biosphere Conformity Assessment Scheme (BCAS) and the Biosphere Requirements for Destinations, based on the documented information reviewed and verified during the audit process.
The certification is not limited to a one-time assessment. To maintain it, the organization must periodically provide evidence demonstrating that the commitments and actions included within its certified scope continue to meet the requirements of the Biosphere certification scheme.
The renewal reflects Turismo de Gran Canaria's ongoing commitment to integrating sustainability into its tourism management through a structured methodology that combines planning, the definition of commitments, the collection of supporting evidence, and periodic evaluation.
The Biosphere certification scheme, developed by the Responsible Tourism Institute (RTI) and implemented by Biosphere Responsible Tourism (BRT) through its certification processes, uses the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a methodological framework for organizing the commitments included within the scope of certification and documenting the progress communicated by certified organizations. This framework facilitates the organization and monitoring of the information submitted as part of the certification process; however, it does not, by itself, certify compliance with the SDGs or imply endorsement by the United Nations.
Through this approach, the destination management organization can organize its initiatives, document its progress, and continuously review the information submitted as part of the certification process.
Biosphere certification is based on an independent evaluation of the documentation and supporting evidence submitted, in accordance with established verification procedures.
Its renewal confirms that the organization continues to comply with the applicable requirements within the evaluated scope after successfully completing the required surveillance process.
Periodic surveillance makes it possible to verify the ongoing fulfillment of these requirements based on documented and verifiable information. The certification applies exclusively to the destination management organization and the activities included within its certified scope; it does not certify the destination as a whole.
This methodology also supports more transparent communication by requiring sustainability-related information to be specific, up to date, and verifiable. In doing so, the certification process aligns with the evolving European regulatory framework addressing misleading or insufficiently transparent environmental claims.
Gran Canaria offers a rich diversity of landscapes, ecosystems, cultural heritage, and experiences, allowing visitors to discover the island from many different perspectives.
From its beaches and coastline to its ravines, pine forests, midlands, and inland villages, every journey offers an opportunity to experience the destination while respecting its natural, cultural, and social values.
Incorporating sustainability considerations into the travel experience can translate into specific choices, such as selecting experiences connected to the destination, purchasing local products, respecting conservation guidelines in natural areas, or planning transportation responsibly whenever possible.
The impact of these choices depends on the context of each trip and on the practices adopted by both visitors and tourism operators.
The effective management of a tourism destination requires the coordinated participation of multiple stakeholders.
Public authorities, tourism businesses, community organizations, local institutions, and visitors can each contribute, from their respective roles, to the ongoing development of the destination's management.
In this context, Biosphere certification earned by businesses throughout the destination can help foster stronger alignment between their initiatives and the commitments promoted by the destination management organization.
Each organization that joins the certification process expands the foundation of documented actions, verifiable evidence, and continuous improvement practices that support the destination's tourism management.
The renewal of Turismo de Gran Canaria's Biosphere certification marks another milestone in a management process that continues to evolve.
At Biosphere Responsible Tourism (BRT), we congratulate the team at Turismo de Gran Canaria, the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, and everyone who has contributed to this achievement for their continued commitment to tourism management based on periodic evaluation and continuous improvement.
We also encourage businesses, organizations, and other entities connected to the island's tourism sector to learn more about the Biosphere certification process and consider becoming certified, helping to extend a management culture built on documented evidence, transparency, and continuous improvement.
Advancing responsible tourism does not depend on a single action, but on an ongoing process. Every documented commitment, every verified piece of evidence, and every improvement implemented helps strengthen transparency and enhance the quality of tourism management.