The firm strategic commitment to sustainability of PortAventura World, pioneering in the leisure and entertainment industry, has been recognised and awarded by the global association for the attractions industry IAAPA with the ‘IAAPA EMEA Award for Extraordinary Excellence’ at IAAPA Expo Europe. The award has been given by the members of the IAAPA EMEA Advisory Committee, which is the representational body of the leading attraction operators
and suppliers in the EMEA region. PortAventura World is the first-ever recipient of this honour from IAAPA, publicly recognised during the opening ceremony of IAAPA Expo Europe 2021, which took place in Barcelona between 27th and 30th
September.
IAAPA presents this honour to member companies in recognition of their leadership, innovation, and forward-thinking to the attractions industry throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). The 2021 award celebrates PortAventura World’s outstanding and pioneering efforts in sustainability. Fernando Aldecoa, managing director of PortAventura World, said: “We are very proud to receive this award that recognises our commitment to implement a
sustainability strategy in one of the world’s leading leisure destinations such as PortAventura World. Behind the development of the sustainability strategy that we are implementing is the work of a great team, and we are pleased that it is recognised in this way”.
A committed strategy in social and environmental terms
The entertainment and accommodation offer of PortAventura World has positioned the resort as one of the most important leisure destinations in Europe, having welcomed more than 90 million visitors since its opening. The complex constitutes a true European benchmark in terms of its commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the social, environmental, and good governance spheres.
One of its most iconic projects is PortAventura Dreams. Promoted by the PortAventura Foundation, the initiative has created a village within the resort that
every year seeks to offer a unique experience to children and young people who suffer from serious illnesses, as well as their families. The hospitals Niño Jesús in Madrid and Sant Joan de Déu and Vall de Hebron in Barcelona collaborate in this programme through a committee of doctors and experts in the field of health.
As a company committed to the wellbeing of society, PortAventura World’s corporate responsibility strategy has as its fundamental pillars the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDG) promoted by the United Nations Organisation and the commitment to the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism.
In this sense, the company has initiated several actions aimed at implementing each of the principles included in international initiatives, focusing on three main objectives: environmental, social, and good governance. At an environmental level, the resort controls its carbon footprint and encourages the saving and reuse of water, in addition to promoting electric modes of transport and training its staff in environmental awareness, among other measures. Likewise, it promotes good governance practices, such as prioritising the hiring of local services and suppliers
and investing in innovation and digitalisation.
