Overview
Status: in progress
Categorization: tourism, habitat and biodiversity, climate change
Country: Spain
Period: 01.04.2014 /
Contact info
Name: Silvia Gilabert Diaz
Organization: Sagunto
Email: s.diaz@aytosagunto.es
Contact address: Pl.Cronista Chabret s/n- 46500 . SAGUNTO
Summary
Summary description: Good practice 1 - SICTED as a tool of participation to improve the quality of the tourist experience. The integral System of Tourist Quality in Destination- SICTED- is managed by the Sagunto city council. This program seeks to improve the quality of tourist destinations, as well as the implementation of good business and tourism management practices. In Sagunto, in 2021, 82 companies and services were distinguished, for their commitment to good management practices. Within the project, training related to good practices is provided. On the one hand, in the internal management of the companies and services themselves. On the other hand, in everything that produces an environmental impact in the areas with the highest tourist influx. Among them, waste and water management stand out. Along these lines, training and information sessions have been given to promote better use of resources and greater awareness of waste management. Good practice 2 - Work groups Likewise, working groups have been held with companies to improve waste treatment management, and seek joint formulas between the public administration and the business sector. The implementation of new tecnologies, have been implemented.
Type: program
EU Challenges for sustainable tourism: (iii) enhancing local community prosperity and quality of life
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Reason of interest for COASTING: This good practice is aimed at making good use of resources. It is important within the objectives of the coastline, because it involves public and private agents and is aimed at the sustainability of the destination. That is why the work from the local government is so important as the practices carried out by the companies. Continuous training and advice to companies, allows increasing awareness in the use of the resources that we have available. In addition, the joint meetings between the city government and the companies allow a consensual decision to be reached. In the case of the area closest to the beach, work has been done to raise awareness of recycling and better waste management.
Financial information
Budget: 5,000.00 €
Financial sources: Public. SICTED is financed by the regional government, which is the one who finances training and advice to companies. Likewise, the local government contributes with personnel for the continued implementation of the project in tourism companies and services. It is this same staff who coordinates the meetings and sets the objectives in line with the program's strategy, as well as sustainable tourism development.
Background information
Territorial context: Sagunto is a municipality that has 132.36 square kilometers, a population of 65,669 inhabitants. 13 kilometers of coastline, and several beaches. The beach of Puerto Sagunto, Almardà and Corinto, has 2 blue flags, a distinctive feature that is added to others that have traditionally been counted on, such as the Q flag for Qualitur, the ISO 9001 quality management flag, the ISO 14.001 environmental flag. , the Q flags for tourist quality or the UNE 170.001 universal accessibility flags. The city is located 25 km from the capital of the region, whose historic center is 5 kilometers from the coast and has another urban nucleus with more population on the coastline, the Port of Sagunto. There is located the commercial port, 2nd in importance in the region, after the capital, in terms of merchandise traffic. It has a rich commercial tradition and important industrial development, given its privileged strategic position in the Mediterranean and its connections with the interior of the peninsula.
Relation to policies and strategies: The good practice is directly related to the different goals of the 2030 Agenda. These sustainable development goals - SDG - are in force at the global level. Many countries have adhered to this agenda, as well as regional governments and municipalities, such as Sagunto. This implies a development of policies and strategies, aimed at improving in line with SDG 6, 7 and 11. Goal 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all Goal 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all Goal 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Regulation framework: All policies related to recycling and waste treatment, both locally and regionally. In addition to the policies whose objective is the use of renewable energies and all the aid of the regional and municipal governments, as well as the training and aid of the chambers of commerce, as a key factor in good business management. Transparency and participation in decisions, which are generated in the municipality through the Tourism Advisory Council and SICTED program.
Specific information
Objectives: The main objective is to increase the awareness of companies and the municipal government itself, in waste management. Other objectives would be to improve the image of the coast in terms of waste management. Regarding the use of renewable energies, the main objective is to increase their use in companies and services in the municipality, through training and aid.
Developers (and governance): As has been seen before, the policies that are developed at all levels, but especially the municipal one, have an influence. The industry, which has an important weight in the city, must apply policies of respect for the environment in its companies. Some of them are close to the coast. On the other hand, it is important the participation of business associations, which help motivate and raise awareness of tourism companies and services.
Beneficiaries: The beneficiaries of the good practices implemented will be both tourists and residents. Any improvement of an environmental nature increases the quality of life of citizens, who will be able to enjoy a cleaner city, with fewer odors. In reference to the use of renewable energies, it will contribute to the improvement of the planet, since together we can contribute to an adequate exploitation of resources. Tourists will perceive the destination in a more positive way. The value of respect for natural resources is increasingly relevant when selecting a destination.
Innovation aspects: The innovative aspect that we can find in these good practices are some of the proposals made. The proposals include the use of new waste control technologies, by means of systems integrated into the containers, which allow them to be more efficient at the time of collection, as well as the efficiency of the service. Regarding the use of renewable energy or new integrated computer systems in business management.
Actions: Meetings have been held with associations, which have collected the main aspects on which there was a need for improvement. In reference to waste treatment, SICTED has held meetings with companies from different population centers, focusing on the coastal area. On the other hand, training has been carried out for companies on digitization and renewable energies. Information on aid for the implementation of renewable energies and other technologies is periodically sent to companies.
Stakeholders involvement: The regional government in tourism has participated and continues to do so in this program. The tourism department of the Sagunto city council, together with the department of the environment and beaches, among others. Business and service associations, as well as historical recreation associations and environmental associations. This participation is organized around the tourism advisory council. We work on an online platform at SICTED, through emails and face-to-face or telematic meetings. Environmental associations and guided tour companies also participate in the trainings.
Results achieved: As a result of the meetings held, the garbage collection schedules will be improved, the number of containers will increase at some times and remove them in some cases. In this way the image of the coast is improved. On the other hand, some companies have started to include solar energy in their businesses and water control systems. Finally, the implementation of new technologies has reduced the use of paper.
Potential for learning and transfer
Challenges and obstacles: On the one hand, the involvement of companies is a challenge, since participation is not always easy. However, they are companies that have been in SICTED for a long time and this allows us to have greater involvement. In relation to the improvements in the treatment of rubbish, it has been possible to modify hours and days of cleaning and collection. To implement the sensors in the garbage containers, it requires a longer term work. It requires a budget, both for sensors and for modifications
Success factors: For the success of the good practices, the involvement of associations, businessmen and services and municipal government has been necessary. All this coordination work requires a lot of attention and citizen participation.
Transferability in COASTING project: These are actions that can totally be trasferred, since they do not have a high initial budget. It is a work of awareness, insistence and good will by all parties involved. SICTED, is the best tool in thet way. Tourist municipalities have to increase their awareness in the daily work they carry out and study the impact that this entails, both for the environment and for the lives of residents. On the one hand, the treatment of waste and the best management of its collection, is something that requires a good predisposition. In the case of including new garbage collection systems, through sensorization, it requires a larger budget as well. Therefore, this part could be transferred, but it will not be so easily applicable. Regarding the application of new technologies in companies, it is easily transferable, since it is about maintaining circuits that facilitate information to companies. On the one hand, the options they have, and on the other, the help they can get.