The National Ecotourism Association has selected the Basque Country as the venue for its 7th Congress

At the opening of the 7th National Ecotourism Congress, the Regional Minister for Tourism, Trade and Consumer Affairs, Javier Hurtado, delivered a speech. This key event for the sector brings together experts, representatives of protected natural areas and members of institutions from various Autonomous Communities. The National Ecotourism Association has selected the Basque Country as the venue for its forthcoming congress, in recognition of the region's commitment to sustainable tourism and ecotourism, and as a reflection of its status as a benchmark in this field.

The two-day congress will address key issues for the development of ecotourism in Spain. Representatives from three other geoparks, invited from Extremadura, Castilla y León and Aragón, will also be in attendance. At the opening ceremony, the significance of these meetings was emphasised as a forum for discussion and collaboration between diverse stakeholders and administrations, with the aim of sustaining the advancement of nature tourism.

_{The Basque Coast Geopark, the congress venue, has demonstrated its status as an exemplar in ecotourism.} Since 2010, this enclave has been integrated into the European and Global Geoparks Network and designated a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2015. It is an emblem of exceptional value, representing the pinnacle of geological heritage. The Geoparke is also aligned with the Basque Tourism Code of Ethics, a pioneering commitment endorsed by the World Tourism Organization, to which more than 800 companies have adhered.

In his speech, the Minister emphasised the significance of European Funds and Tourism Sustainability Plans in Destinations as vital instruments for reinforcing the Basque Country's position as a leading ecotourism destination. Two projects, each receiving over 7 million euros in funding, are set to benefit from these resources. The Geoparke will spearhead the development of premium products and services that align with sustainable tourism objectives.

In the context of promoting responsible and sustainable tourism and ecotourism, the Minister drew attention to the Green Spain Ecotourism Corridor project, which will be the first ecotourism route in Spain. The Green Spain initiative encompasses the four Cantabrian Sea regions: Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia. Its objective is to enhance the international promotion of these regions through joint actions. Furthermore, the Minister announced that “the Basque Country is preparing its own ecotourism route based on the Grand Tour, which will be launched at the beginning of 2025.”