The Railway Museum in Vilanova i la Geltrú hosted the Biosphere certificate awards ceremony, where 71 tourism companies and services in El Garraf that are committed to sustainability were recognised. Thirty-five tourism companies, resources and services in Sitges received this certificate, including beaches, accommodations, restaurants, golf courses, beach bars, ports and active tourism companies. The Tourism Deputy of the Barcelona Provincial Council, Ana Herrera, attended the event along with the mayor of Sitges, Aurora Carbonell, and the Tourism Councillor, Xavier Ripoll.  The mayor stated that 'renewing Biosphere certification is a clear sign of Sitges’ steadfast commitment to sustainability. This recognition not only reinforces our positioning as a responsible destination but also brings added value to local tourism companies working for a more respectful future.’

The Sitges Convention Bureau and La Iguana beach bar earned the certificate for the first time. The tourism companies, services and resources of Sitges that renewed their certificate are: Agbar, Blau Sitges, Càmping El Garrofer, Càmping Sitges, Club de Golf Terramar, Cristina Milà, Gremi d'Hostaleria de Sitges, Hotel Calipolis, La Caseta, Little Beach House, ME Sitges Terramar, Nootka Kayak & Sup, the two tourism bureaus in Sitges, 15 beaches (Cala Ginesta, Cala Morisca, Aiguadolç, Garraf, Estanyol, La Barra, Bassa Rodona, La Fragata, La Ribera, Riera Xica, Les Anquines, Les Botigues, Sant Sebastià, Terramar and Balmins), the Port of Sitges - Aiguadolç, Sències Can Girona, Sunway Playa Golf & Spa and Vivero Beach Club.

The Tourism Councillor noted that ‘it is worth highlighting the large number of companies and services in Sitges that are committed to the Biosphere. This recognition is possible thanks to the joint efforts between the City Council and the private sector, which reinforce this commitment to responsible tourism year after year.’ Ripoll added that 'we’ll continue working to preserve our environment and offer visitors a unique experience’.

The embrace of the Biosphere by all of these tourism resources and services has enabled Sitges to earn a higher level of accreditation since 2022, as well as the distinction of earning Biosphere Gold certification, recognition of cultural, economic and social sustainability and good governance which helps to position the Sitges brand and improve management of the territory.

This recognition is part of the ‘Barcelona Biosphere Destination Tourism Sustainability Commitment’ programme led by Node Garraf, the Barcelona Provincial Council and the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce.

Sitges, one of the first Biosphere destinations

Sitges became the second destination in Catalonia to earn Biosphere certification in 2016, after Barcelona. Since then, so many local companies and resources have joined the commitment that Sitges has been awarded Biosphere Gold status.  As a destination, this means working on a specific sustainability action plan every year in coordination with other local departments and organisations, with the United Nations’ seventeen Sustainability Development Goals as the underlying framework, and working to raise citizens’, tourists’ and visitors’ awareness.

Biosphere is a voluntary, independent sustainable tourism certification created by ITR, the Responsible Tourism Institute, which is internationally recognised and has the support of UN Tourism. Its ultimate goal is to develop the tourism industry sustainably and to foster the social and cultural authenticity of each destination and community.