Promoviendo el «Agroturismo» en la Reserva de la Biosfera Viñamala

Viñamala Biosphere Reserve is located in the north of the province of Huesca, bordering France to the north. Declared as such by UNESCO in 1977, the second in Spain, with an initial area of 51,396 ha, it was expanded in May 2013 to 117,365 ha of expansion – by municipalities in the municipalities of Bitas, Yésero, Hoz de Jaca, Pantantosa, and Salent de Gálgo in the Alto Gálgo region and Torla-Odersa, Broto, Fanlo, Tella-S, Puértola, and Bielsa in the Sobrrarbe region. A dream location for practicing «Ecotourism» and its variant of «Agrotourism».

In the heart of the reserve, Omsa and Monte Perdido National Park is an enclave that nature and ecotourism lovers cannot miss, not only for its spectacular beauty but also because it is one of the most important ecological reserves in Europe.

High peaks, crowned by the 3,355 meters of Monte Perdido (the highest limestone massif in Europe), contrast with the deep valleys and canyons that make up this national park from the first order.

The Biosphere Reserve has around six thousand inhabitants, although its main attraction, «Ecotourism» and its variant of «Agrotourism», offer accommodation and restaurants of all kinds and a wide variety of tourist companies, which, together with the extensive range of services, allow it to welcome over a million visitors each year.

Ecotourism may involve observing the unique species of flora and fauna in the regional and international context, many of which are under threat and whose preservation is essential for maintaining biological diversity.

Among the landscapes most appreciated by ecotourists are those of the High Mountain, with imposing glaciers and formations caused by glacier erosion, mixed deciduous forests, black pine, firs, high mountain pastures, etc., and smaller species like Edelweiss or Lady’s Slipper. Among the fauna, species of high value such as the Bearded Vulture, Chamois, Pyrenean Desman, Ptarmigan, Capercaillie, or Black Woodpecker stand out.

Routes for all ages and seasons of the year

The Ortesa Viñamala Biosphere Consortium participated in the coordination meeting of the Agrotour Sudoe project held in Portugal, an initiative aimed at promoting sustainable agrotourism (a variant of ecotourism) for greater socio-economic development and environmental protection in rural areas in southwestern Europe.

As explained in a press release from the Aragon Government, the president of the consortium and the director general of natural environment, hunting, and fishing, Alfonso Calvo, took part in the event.

The Tour Agro Sudoe project is part of the Interg Sudoe program, co-financed by 75% by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER), with 9 partners from Spain, France, and Portugal and a total investment of 1,640,000 euros.

At this meeting, the SWOT analysis of the initial situation of the territories participating in this project regarding agrotourism was presented, along with the keys to creating sustainable agrotourism products and how digital marketing and artificial intelligence were addressed.

Similarly, progress has been made in creating pilot experiences that will be carried out in each territory to promote and energize agrotourism/ecotourism. In the case of the Ortesa Viñamala Biosphere, it was acknowledged that the Aragonese executive will be created by the advisory forum, made up of businesses in the surrounding area and various public and private entities working to promote and create agrotourism products in this area.

Furthermore, this forum will decide on the typology and characteristics of the experiences to be launched to develop a communication and promotion process, as well as to validate the future clients of these experiences. Efe / ecoticias.com

FUENTE