UNESCO has announced the approval of the designation of 11 new biosphere reserves in 11 countries, including Spain. 

The Val d'Aran Biosphere Resrve is in the North of Catalonia, bordering France, and is the western frontier of the Catalan Pyrenees. It spans 632 km² and serves as Catalonia's sole north-facing valley. The valley's northern orientation, mountainous terrain, and Atlantic climate result in much higher precipitation than other Pyrenean regions and the Iberian Peninsula. This unique environment supports ecosystems that are particularly favorable for species such as the Brown bear, a diverse array of micro-mammals, the threatened freshwater Sculpin, and even the Bearded vulture. The region is also a bastion of Occitan cultural and linguistic heritage.

According to UNESCO, ‘The designation of the area as a biosphere reserve has been a pivotal step towards improving biodiversity protection and revitalizing traditional practices, in order to halt depopulation and transition to a more resilient rural development model. The biosphere reserve’s management plan has been meticulously designed with village representatives from local associations promoting tourism and animal husbandry.’

Learn more about Val d'Aran here

Former politician and passionate traveller, Michael Portillo, spent three months criss-crossing Andalucia for his new TV programme, Portillo’s Andalucia, showing on Channel 5 this month. Beginning his trip in Granada and ending in Carmona, Portillo took a journey through this historic province, home to ancient traditions, mesmerising Moorish architecture and diverse cuisine. From flamenco to the Alhambra, and from gazpacho to seafood, the cultural diversity of the region is spectacular. Portillo, who is half Spanish, spends much of the year in Carmona, and calls it his ‘second home’.

In Episode One, Portillo stays at Parador de Granada, one of the most popular hotels in Spain’s state-run network of historic and cultural properties located in some of the most beautiful settings on the Iberian peninsula. Parador de Granada gives travellers a chance to stay for a night amidst La Alhambra and its gardens and fountains that evoke its blended Arabic and Christian past. It occupies the site of a Christian monastery as well as the ancient Arab bathhouses of the palace.

Andalucía is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In 2024, some of these most iconic sites will celebrate their 40-year anniversary, with notable commemorations planned to mark and recognise the occasion. Among them can be found the iconic Alhambra, Albaicín, the Generalife Garden in Granada, and the Great Mosque of Cordoba, which all earned their place on the World Heritage List in 1984.

141 years since construction began in 1882, the four main towers of La Basílica de la Sagrada Família, Gaudí’s spectacular basilica church and Barcelona’s most famous landmark, are complete. Each tower represents one of the four evangelists – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – with each evangelist represented by an animal.

A beloved sight on the Barcelona skyline for years, most locals and visitors are used to their view of the majestic church being impeded by scaffolding, but this is set to change with an end to construction work finally in sight. The scaffolding on the four towers will be taken down shortly, bringing a new era to Sagrada Família, which is also the final resting place of its famous architect.

The team behind the UNESCO-listed site are now looking ahead to completing the central tower, representing Christ; this tower is to be topped with a statue of Jesus, making Sagrada Família one of the tallest churches in the world.

La Basílica de la Sagrada Família is famous for being incomplete, and construction has been hampered by the fact that Gaudí himself did not leave full plans for the cathedral. However, it is hoped that the church will be finished in its entirety within the next three years, with an anticipated completion date of 2026 (to coincide with the 100^th anniversary of Gaudí’s death).

This recognition was granted by UNESCO to the Talayotic as it considered to be a testiment to prehistoric culture and heritage on the island, with an exceptional number of monuments that demonstrate the different stages of prehistoric Menorca. The site is of particular importance given the impressive standard of the preservation of the monuments, thanks to conservation efforts, as well as the number that have been preserved. The constructions are unique to Menorca and include funerary naves, circular houses as well as structures such as taulas and talayots – they are considered by UNESCO to be an exceptional example of Cyclopean architecture and of its evolution over fifteen hundred years. They are an important source of knowledge about the life of the Talayotic people and the Bronze Age and the Iron Age.

The distinction will mean that the prehistoric heritage of Menorca is more widely recognised internationally and is expected to help secure new resources for the conservation and scientific research of the monuments and Talayotic culture. This declaration also highlights the great conservational work that is being done in the Balearics to preserve prehistoric sites.

The Balearic Islands have four more UNESCO distinctions: Serra de Tramuntana and the Song of Sybil in Mallorca, Menorca protected by the UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve, and Ibiza for its fortified acropolis (around Dalt Vila) and its marine ecosystem, comprising prairies of oceanic Posidonia (seagrass).

Spain is proud to have 53 sites that are designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. These sitesare recognised as being important terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems.

The environmental standards of the reserves are continuously monitored in order to protectthese natural areas for future generations to enjoy. The sites are maintained to conserve the biodiversity and cultural diversity of the areas, encourage economic development that is socio-culturally and environmentally sustainable, and support development through research, monitoring, education, and training.

For 2023, various Biosphere Reserves across Spain are celebrating significant anniversaries. The Sierras de Cazorla in Jaen and Marismas del Odiel in Huelva are both celebrating 40 years of UNESCO Biosphere Reserve recognition. The islands of the islands of Lanzarote and Menorca celebrate their 30-years.

Home to nearly 220 species of birds and 1000 species of plants, 60 of which are endemic to this northernmost island of the Balearic archipelago, the UNESCO Natural Biosphere Reserve of Menorca has remarkable diversity of flora and fauna. Since October 1993, it has been recognised by UNESCO for the exceptional conservation of both its heritage and landscape. Visitors to Menorca can immerse themselves in its unspoiled rural countryside by exploring varied landscapes on foot, horseback or by bicycle. The Camí de Cavalls, a historic path navigating the entire coastline, has been improved in recent years with new footpaths and stone hedges to make Menorca’s impressive scenery more accessible to visitors.

Lanzarote’s UNESCO reserve, also declared in 1993, is equally beautiful. Due to a series of volcanic eruptions taking place throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, the volcanic soil on the island has birthed luxurious vegetation. The heritage site covers 127,000 hectares of sub-tropical land surrounding Timanfaya National Park and a marine ecosystem comprising of gorgeous isles and countless bird species, many of which are endemic. Networks of volcanic tunnels spread throughout the reserve which are carefully maintained to allow visitors to explore and experience without harming the surrounding rock.

Green Spain has secured funding from the Spanish Government to become the largest ecotourism corridor in Europe. This initiative will make it possible to establish a network of agents within the regions, provide training to tourism companies as well as design and create experiences, products and services based on green and sustainable models. More than 10 associations and 250 tourism companies, located in the protected natural areas of Green Spain, will be able to participate in training courses and obtain ecotourism certifications. The funding will go towards promoting responsible tourism throughout the year 2023.

For more information, visit https://www.ingreenspain.es/en/home-en.html

The emblematic buildings that will be transformed with a myriad of light features include El Retiro Park, Puerta de Alcalá, Prado Museum, Cibeles Palace among others. There is a tour available to ensure visitors do not miss any of the beautiful sculptures on show, however the sites are also available to visit as tourists please.

There are many famous names from both Spain and the rest of the world that are creating fabulous works for this year’s event including designers such as Onionlab, Maxi Gilbert, Antoni Arola, and Erik Barray as well as Javier Riera, Juanjo Llorens and Alicia Moneva among many others. The LuzMadrid festival will celebrate the Spanish capital in spectacular fashion and reinforce why its Landscape of Light was recently the city’s first inscription into the prestigious list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The decision was made that the site should fall under the category of Cultural Landscapes at the 44th session of UNESCO's World Heritage Committee in Fuzhou, China. The committee, composed of representatives from 21 of the States Parties to the Convention, recognised the locations outstanding universal value and beauty of nature, culture, and science in the urban setting.

The site originally made Madrid Europe’s first sustainable capital city back in the 16^th century and today Madrid’s mayor, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, expressed his excitement on the decision to declare it a UNESCO World Heritage site. He said that Madrid welcomed the distinction “with pride and honour” and was mindful of the “enormous responsibility of having a site inscribed in the World Heritage List”. He added that the city would “meet the challenge” of having this title.

The site combines a sense of culture and nature and is situated in the heart of the city for all its citizens to enjoy. Paseo del Prado is the earliest example of an urban promenade and represents the societies of Madrid and Spain. It is linked historically to the park, Buen Retiro, that King Charles III opened in the 18th century, and both were declared as areas for the community to enjoy nature, arts, and sciences within the boundaries of the city.

This gives the Landscape of Light exceptional universal value that has been recognised by UNESCO and distinguishes it as a unique model of singular urban development that was ahead of its time. It has gained prominence beyond Spain’s borders as a rich, diverse, evolving, and dynamic urban cultural landscape that was meticulously designed for recreation and the education of citizens in contact with nature. These reasons led UNESCO to recognise the Landscape of Light as a site that deserves its place on its World Heritage List.

The sustainable tourism tax has been in place since 2016 and is applied to all stays in tourist accommodation across the Balearic Islands. The eco-tax provides revenue for a fund established to promote sustainable tourism, established by Balearic Island institutions, and channeled into important initiatives to counteract the impact of tourism on the islands. 

Minister of tourism, Iago Negueruela says:

“British tourism is essential for our islands and the UK is our second source market in terms of visitor numbers. The tourism industry accounts for around 35% of our islands’ GDP and it is essential that we bring visitors back, however our ambition is that we do so in a sustainable way, continuing to roll out sustainable initiatives to counteract any negative environmental impacts. 

Our visitors have directly helped us have fund a huge number of initiatives to promote ecotourism, help preserve the environment and restore our cultural heritage. Behind the scenes, we continue to work intensely with the private sector; including businesses and trade unions to restart the tourism season and its activities as soon as restrictions are relaxed.

Within this, 2021 will see the development of several key tourism projects funded by the sustainable tourism tax.”

Some of the projects currently underway include: 

IBIZA'S PHOENICIAN SETTLEMENT, DECLARED A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE, WILL BE REPURPOSED AS A NEW CENTRE OF INTERPRETATION

The Balearics Islands will regenerate the Phoenician settlement of Sa Caleta in Ibiza aiming to convert this historic and heritage space into a cultural site for visitors. The Phoenician settlement (UNESCO World Heritage site), which dates back to the end of the 8th century BC, contains evidence of the island’s first settlement, dating back well over a millennium. Planned works include the restoration of all the site and the coastal fortification nearby, which was built in the 20th century to help the island defend itself and has been recognised as an asset of cultural interest. In 2023, Ibiza will welcome an interpretation centre to provide visitors with a deeper understanding of the cultural aspects of the Phoenician settlement, thanks to the funds of the sustainable tourism tax. 

http://www.illessostenibles.travel/its-project/en/ibiza/project-to-rehabilitate-the-phoenician-settlement-and-the-anti-aircraft-battery-on-the-coast-of-sa-caleta-sant-josep-de-sa-talaia-to-prepare-them-for-visits-and-to-create-an-interpretation-centre

A NEW APP TO HELP PROTECT THE MARINE BIOLOGY OF THE BALEARIC ISLANDS In spring 2021, the Balearic Islands Tourist Board aims to complete the underwater cartography of the Posidonia Oceanica, funded by the sustainable tourism tax. The Posidonia Oceanica is a seagrass found growing in the Mediterranean around the Balearic Islands, especially in Formentera, believed to be one of the most important sources of oxygen in these coastal waters, creating a unique marine biodiversity. Once the cartography is completed, the tourist board will launch a new app, providing details of permitted anchoring areas (and indicating no-anchorage zones for boating vessels). 

http://www.illessostenibles.travel/its-project/en/mallorca/underwater-atlas-cartography-of-the-balearic-islands-posidonia-oceanica

A NEW ECOFRIENDLY HUT IN MALLORCA’S SERRA DE TRAMUNTANA

The Balearic Islands is transforming Ses Porqueres de Galatzó, a building which originally served as an animal shelter, into a modern and environmentally friendly mountain refuge located in the western part of the island. The building lies on the picturesque Ruta de Piedra Seco (Dry Stone Route), which offers a series of hiking paths running through scenic Mallorcan pine forests, malvasía vines (Mediterranean grapes) and olive groves, typical of the Balearic Islands. 

Once completed, Ses Porqueres de Galatzó will offer hikers 52 beds divided between 12 rooms as well as a kitchen, dining rooms and a multifunctional room for educational and cultural activities. The hiking hut is scheduled to open in winter 2022. 

http://www.illessostenibles.travel/its-project/en/mallorca/refuge-for-hikers-in-the-ses-porqueres-de-galatzo-building

RESTORATION OF SAN DIEGO CONVENT, HOME TO THE FUTURE MENORCA’S GASTRONOMY CENTRE

The Government of the Balearic Islands acquired the 17th-century San Diego convent, which is protected as a cultural asset. From the time of its acquisition through to the present day it has undergone a complete refurbishment. 

The next step is completion including the restoration of the grisailles murals, which are of great cultural value. The project aims to include a new “Menorca Gastronomy Centre”, showcasing and protecting local cuisine and traditional cooking methods. Menorca’s Gastronomy Centre will open its doors in 2022.