The Calp City Council has achieved, as of [date] 07-04-2026, the S Sustainability certificate for its main beaches, the one in Arenal-Bol and La Fossa, as well as for its two offices in The Mosquit Square and the salt flats. This recognition, awarded by the Institute for Spanish Tourism Quality (ICTE), highlights the municipality's commitment to a respectful and inclusive tourism model, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda.
The S Sustainability Certificate: a commitment to the future
The S Sustainability Seal recognizes the best practices and commitments undertaken by the Calp City Council to advance towards a new tourism model. This certification aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, promoting more responsible tourism, environmental protection, cultural heritage, and local socioeconomic development. The certification must be renewed annually.
Sustainability plan with strategic actions
To obtain this certification, the Calp City Council has designed a Sustainability Plan that includes strategic actions, both implemented and planned, to achieve the SDGs. Among the initiatives that have been launched or are under consideration, the following stand out:
- Adhesion of the Arenal-Bol, La Fossa and El Cantal Roig beaches to the network of smoke-free beaches.
- Entry into force of the ordinance that prohibits smoking in all coves and beaches of the municipality.
- Transfer service for people with reduced mobility from their homes to adapted bathing areas.
- Purchase of materials to facilitate accessible bathing, such as two amphibious chairs y ten packs of amphibious crutches.
- Certification of Calp's Climate Change Adaptation Plan according to the international standard UNE-ISO 14092: 2021.
- Start of the study on the carrying capacity of the beaches, in order to assess the impact of human activity and take protective measures.
- Record of electricity, water consumption and generation waste in tourist offices, as well as fuel for local police patrols and beach cleaning vehicles.
Improvements and promotion of environmental education in tourism
The Action Plan of the Calp Tourist Offices It also includes various improvements and awareness campaigns. These include the renovation of the Arenal-Bol tourist information booth and the Development specialized training for tourism technical staff on improvements to the SICTED system.
In addition, the campaign has been planned for education. and environmental awareness campaign “Take care of Calp today, enjoy it always!”, with the installation of advertising panels and the distribution of a brochure with ten guidelines for good practices. A brand will be created to promote the Environmental Education program, allowing environmental information to be disseminated on social media and the municipal website.
Program management, cost and financing
A sustainability committee has been established to implement and maintain the "S" for Sustainability. This committee will promote sustainable criteria in the management of tourist offices and beaches, and will monitor compliance with environmental, social, and economic indicators and commitments.
The Sustainability certification was achieved within the "Services of" contract. consultancy for the incorporation of the town into the ETIS tourism sustainability system," which had a cost of 29.023,06 EurosThis contract included, as an improvement, the processing of the certification.
Both the adoption of the ETIS Indicators System and the S Sustainability certification are actions included in Calp's Destination Tourism Sustainability Plan (PSTD). This plan is part of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan and is financed by Next GenerationEU funds.
