The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) collaborates with the Lanzarote Society for External Promotion (SPEL – Turismo Lanzarote) and the UN Global Compact Spain to launch “Epicentro Lanzarote,” a two-day gathering aiming to enhance regional awareness of sustainable tourism practices.

Located in the Canary Islands, Spain, Lanzarote is renowned for its unique volcanic landscapes and commitment to environmental conservation. The island was declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1993 by UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MaB) Program. Lanzarote was also an ‘Early Adopter’ of the GSTC Destination Criteria (GSTC-D) in 2012.

The event will take place on February 13th and 14th, 2025, at ‘Jameos del Agua’. Designed to empower key stakeholders in Lanzarote’s tourism sector by providing practical tools and showcasing best practices for sustainability.

Epicentro Lanzarote
Epicentro Lanzarote

The institutional opening will be led by Héctor Fernández, CEO of the Lanzarote Society for External Promotion, followed by Luigi Cabrini, Chair of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), and Silvia Rial, Corporate and Sectoral Sustainability Manager at the UN Global Compact Spain. The representatives will highlight the importance of joint initiatives in advancing towards more sustainable tourism. It will be followed by a comprehensive session on the introduction to the GSTC Criteria, led by the GSTC Trainer, Natalia Naranjo, who will provide practical insights and share real-world examples to help participants better understand and apply the GSTC Criteria, the global standards for sustainability in travel and tourism.

On day two, participants will engage in a workshop where they will be divided into groups to discuss solutions for sustainable tourism practices in Lanzarote, building upon the knowledge and insights gained from the previous day’s training. The session will conclude with a summary of key takeaways and a formal closure, followed by a networking lunch.

This collaborative initiative aims to reflect a shared commitment to fostering sustainable development within one of Spain’s iconic tourism destinations. The event also marks the 30th anniversary of the signing of the first Charter for Responsible Tourism in Lanzarote (1995).


Photos © Turismo Lanzarote