Costa del Sol: a destination committed to sustainability and conservation

Malaga, May 23, 2024.- The Costa del Sol has a firm commitment to sustainability and the preservation of the environment. It is an internationally renowned tourist destination that in 2023 welcomed more than 14 million tourists, by air, sea and land. This has resulted in a very positive impact for the local economy, but a wake-up call to delve deeper into the conservation of the natural environment and heritage, as well as coexistence with the inhabitants. Aware of the importance of protecting the planet for future generations, the coastal province has undertaken a series of innovative initiatives to promote environmentally friendly practices.

The Costa del Sol prides itself on its stunning coastal landscapes, rich in biodiversity and natural beauty, and its commitment to the conservation of these unique ecosystems. Through beach clean-up programs, environmental education, and marine habitat restoration projects, it works to protect and preserve coastlines for generations to come. The star project for the protection of the coastline is Senda Azul (Blue Trail), an initiative to attract nautical tourism to the province of Malaga by promoting the values of seafaring culture and the protection of the sea. On the official website of Senda Azul, you can find experiences such as diving, snorkeling, kayaking, surfing and even rowing in "jábega", the traditional boat and symbol of Malaga. It also recommends 40 unique places from the Torre de la Sal (Tower of salt) to the Victoria Cave, as well as an agenda of events, activities and competitions, as well as a list of sports clubs and ports that have joined this initiative.

There are many companies and organizations that work directly or indirectly with the tourism sector and want to implement new environmental and social responsibility measures. In that process, they can compensate for their negative effects with a tool implemented by Costa del Sol Tourism: a calculator and a carbon footprint compensation program. The organization, in its mission to achieve a "Zero" balance of CO2 emissions, has this tool, both for individuals and businesses, where they can visualize their impact on the destination.

In addition, and going a step further, they offer to compensate for their negative impact with an initiative to repopulate burned forests in the region by acquiring CO2 compensation rights. For example, this project managed, with just two major events held in Malaga, to offset more than 12 tons of CO2. In addition, both the Malaga French Film Festival and the II Agora of Sustainable Tourism, organized by Green&Human and Hosteltur, joined this initiative. With all this, they also support research for the conservation and improvement of the seabed and its ecosystems.

One of the most significant effects of climate change on the Costa del Sol is undoubtedly the scarcity of rain and therefore the availability of water. Public entities, companies, and citizens join forces to carry out an efficient management of water resources that allow us to continue maintaining the high levels of quality of our tourism services while conserving and protecting our natural resources. Costa del Sol Tourism is developing a tool that will allow hotel establishments on the Costa del Sol to measure the impact of their activity on water resources and establish more efficient management plans. In the same way, through the carbon footprint calculator, this public tourism entity works to raise awareness among our tourists about the responsible consumption of water.

The Costa del Sol's rich culinary tradition merges with an innovative approach to sustainable gastronomy through the promotion of local and seasonal products, as well as environmentally friendly farming practices. In this way, it contributes to the conservation of biodiversity and the reduction of the carbon footprint associated with the food value chain. Restaurants and chefs are leading the way towards a more sustainable and ethical dining future. For example, from the restaurant El Lago (Chef Diego del Río) or El Choco (Chef Kisko García) in Malaga, both with a Michelin star, they are committed to traditional cuisine and local products.

The Costa del Sol recognises the importance of environmental education in building a more sustainable future. For this reason, it collaborates with educational institutions, non-governmental organizations and the local community. In line with the Costa del Sol Tourism Strategic Plan 2024, they invite students, journalists, agencies and tour operators from the tourism sector to get to know the territory through the eyes of the inhabitants and with the values of conserving the environment and promoting responsible practices in daily life. 

In addition to all these examples of current actions on the Costa del Sol, there are many more: from the smallest and simplest actions, such as recycling, to more elaborate strategies such as the implementation of a plan based on the UNE Standard 178501 "Smart Destination Management Systems" to promote innovation, technology, accessibility, sustainability and governance in the tourist destination. Through collaboration and working together, the coastal region is built for a more responsible and equitable future for all, where nature and humanity can thrive in harmony.