The Alto Pirineo Natural Park (Parc Natural de l’Alt Pirineu) is the largest protected area in Catalonia. With a surface area of almost 80.000 hectares, this uniquely beautiful territory is a reserve of the natural and cultural heritage of the Pyrenees.
At RocRoi, we are aware of the importance of caring for and protecting the environment and, for this reason, since our beginnings, we have been working to care for the natural environment in which our adventure activities and outdoor sports are carried out.
In our day-to-day work, we are committed to initiatives whose main objective is to reduce the social and environmental pressure we are currently under, seeking sustainability in each and every area of our daily lives.
The European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Natural Areas (CETS) is an initiative of the EUROPARC Federation (the umbrella organisation for Europe’s protected areas), whose overall objective is to promote the development of sustainable tourism in Europe’s protected natural areas.
The most basic principles and objectives of the charter are twofold:
On the one hand, to promote knowledge about Europe’s protected areas as a fundamental part of our heritage, as well as to increase the necessary support for their conservation, so that these sites can continue to be enjoyed by both present and future generations.
And, on the other hand, to improve the sustainable development and tourism management of protected areas, taking into account the needs of the environment, the local population, local businesses and visitors.
Undoubtedly, obtaining the CETS certification means implementing a series of benefits to the protected area that receives it. An example of this is the opportunity to develop and raise visitor awareness of the importance of maintaining our natural spaces. It is also an ideal opportunity to influence the development of sustainable tourism in the area.
The CETS is a method and a voluntary commitment to apply the principles of sustainable tourism, aimed at managers of protected natural areas and companies, and this is where we come in.
This year, we have started the process of obtaining the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in our Noguera Pallaresa adventure activity centre, in Llavorsí. Located in the Alto Pirineo Natural Park, as nature lovers, our aim is to take the utmost care of this unique natural enclave in Catalonia.
Being part of this initiative means being active in the process of developing and protecting this protected area. At the same time, it means continuing to grow in an environmentally friendly way while enjoying our great passion, adventure sports.
Our aim is that you have the opportunity to experience adrenaline and adventure in the most beautiful natural spaces, being aware of the importance of taking care of them.
It is indisputable that sustainable tourism development is of great importance today on a global scale. Organisations such as the EUROPARC Federation are working on the development of international guidelines for the correct understanding and care of the environment. In this way, we have practical tools for their application in protected areas at regional level.
RocRoi, present in more than 20 Biosphere Reserves in Spain
Our activity centre in Llavorsí is not the only one located in a protected natural area. We have a wide range of activities and outdoor sports in more than 20 Biosphere Reserves all over Spain.
Some examples are the Sierra Nevada National Park, the Picos de Europa National Park, the Doñana National Park, the Aigüestortes i Sant Maurici National Park, the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park and the Montseny Natural Park and Biosphere Reserve, among others.
Spain’s great environmental wealth and biodiversity allow us to enjoy unique environments that must be preserved and cared for. And what better way to do this than to practice sport in a safe, sustainable and fun way.
