Certifications driving MICE commitment to sustainability

The growing interest in more environment-friendly management models has placed sustainability at the heart of decisions in the MICE sector. In this scenario, the Costa Brava and Girona Pyrenees stand out because of the ongoing work of many companies that have integrated environmental and social criteria into their operations and which now hold international certifications that reinforce their progress and provide guarantees to event organisers.

The Olympic Congress Palace, the first Bioscore certification in Catalonia

One of the most recent and notable examples is Evenia Hotels‘s  Olympic Congress Palace in Lloret de Mar, which became the first convention centre in Catalonia to obtain Bioscore Tourism Business Certification in the catering category. This accreditation covers management across seven core areas: from emissions and energy efficiency to water management, waste, restoration and corporate social responsibility (CSR), and certifies a governance model that integrates sustainability as a cross-cutting strategy.

The result is a conference venue that combines its operational capacity, with over 4,000 sq.m. and spaces that can accommodate up to a thousand people, with measurable, traceable and verifiable environmental management.

Environmental innovation in campsites and outdoor spaces

This step forward is part of a broader movement shared by several members of the Costa Brava Girona Convention Bureau (CBGCB), who are working to turn sustainability into a tangible and verifiable element. One example is the Girona Campsites Association’s SmartCamps programme, which promotes the digitalisation and advanced environmental management of its establishments by introducing monitoring systems that allow optimising resources while minimising impact.

This innovation also extends to the prevention and protection of the coastline, as demonstrated by the participation of the La Ballena Alegre Sailing Club, with its programme for collecting rubbish from the sea and raising awareness of the health of marine ecosystems.

Accommodations that integrate sustainability into their management

Meanwhile, several local accommodation providers have consolidated their position as leaders in responsible tourism thanks to the Biosphere certification, an internationally recognised model. Hotels like La Costa Golf & Beach Resort in Pals and the Escampa Hotels establishments, with the Park Hotel San Jorgein Calonge and theHotel Hostalillo in Tamariu, have demonstrated that efficient resource management, a connection to the land and care for the natural environment can coexist with a high-quality hotel offering.

This commitment is also reflected in recent nominations for prestigious awards, such as that of the Meliá chain’s Zel Costa Brava, located in Tossa de Mar, which was shortlisted for the National Geographic Awards as the best hotel in a natural setting in Spain, and that of the city of Girona as the country’s best urban destination.

Protection of the night sky as an added value

The sustainability of a land focuses not only look on the sea or natural spaces, but also on the sky. At the most recent FITUR trade fair, the WeCamp Cadaqués campsite received the Starlight Certification, a distinction that attests to the protection of the night sky, the astronomical quality of the landscape and the destination’s capacity to develop responsible astro-tourism activities of great value for groups and events.

All these initiatives demonstrate that the Costa Brava and Girona Pyrenees have a far-reaching array of companies that are certified, verified and internationally recognised, providing event organisers with confidence, transparency and guarantees. And for the territory, it means reinforcing a positioning that is already distinctive: being a MICE destination that understands sustainability as a driver of competitiveness, innovation and quality.

In an increasingly demanding sector, certifications not only validate the effort but also shape the future of MICE. And at the Costa Brava and Girona Pyrenees, the future is now.