Turism

The work from the “COMPASS Project: Transformation of the tourist sector towards circularity”, was presented at the Sant Pau Modernista Site in November.after a year in operation.

The study is an initiative of Barcelona City Council, the Barcelona Tourist Consortium and the Chair for Circular Economy and Sustainability at the Tecnocampus (UPF), designed to foster the circular economy in the tourist sector with the goal of transforming business practices towards more sustainable models and contributing to the sustainability, circularity and resilience of the region.

Conscientiousness, awareness and collective work

COMPASS was started in 2023 and over the course of the year has organised four awareness meetings which over 150 companies in the tourist sector and other areas have taken part in, including businesses from the textile sector and restaurant sector, with close ties to the tourism industry. Three specific proposals have come from these sessions:

• ‘Circular Barcelona’, to promote contact between tourist companies and circular providers to organise, for example, a second-hand market.
• ‘Committed 4 Food’, to reduce food waste in the hospitality sector.
• ‘Circular Friendly’, an information platform for visitors with sustainable and responsible options.

More sustainable and competitive companies

COMPASS backs a circular tourism model that benefits visitors and local communities alike and is based on the efficient use of resources, non-pollution, protecting the environment and preserving the cultural heritage, identity and life of tourist destinations.