Greetings from the Mayor of Encamp, Laura Mas Barrionuevo

This year, Encamp takes over and is the host parish of the 12th Congress on Snow, Mountain and Wellness Tourism and I feel especially proud, as mayor, that it is in the edition where the theme is sustainability and well-being. The sustainability of our parish and the well-being of our tourists are the cornerstone of our tourism strategy. A parish where the towns of Encamp and Pas de la Casa live and enjoy surrounded by nature, mountains and landscapes that form one of our main tourist attractions.

In Encamp we are clear that natural resources are not infinite and that we must give them optimal use and maximum care because they are a fundamental element of the sustainability of our parish and our country. At the Town Hall, we help the conservation of our natural heritage. The mountains that surround Encamp and Pas de la Casa, snow, water, paths, flora and fauna are the environmental resources that make up our tourist differential. We are the parish that hosts one of the reference ski and mountain resorts in Southern Europe where we can enjoy nature all year round and that is committed to sustainability as the keystone of its activity. In winter, as an international reference in skiing and in summer, with a diversity of activities that combines sport, adventure and well-being. The economic and social fabric of the parish is also moving in this direction, making sustainability one of the linchpin of development.

Tourists, increasingly, seek to have and share experiences. Encamp is a destination that has gained a place as a destination for family, wellness and sports tourism. Throughout the year, summer and winter, we organize professional and amateur sports events where we combine outdoor sports with gastronomic, health, rest, leisure and cultural experiences, because culture largely explains the natural heritage, and we have become a national and international reference as a sports tourism destination, especially for high-altitude sports. We offer mountain biking, hiking, climbing and via ferrata itineraries as examples of experiences to enjoy nature that add to the wide offer that Andorra offers its visitors.

But it is precisely the debate between professionals in the tourism sector on sustainability and well-being in mountain tourism that will allow us to analyze the strengths and weaknesses, risks and potential of future tourism. Among the presentations and debates, topics such as environmental conservation, the possibilities of AI, emerging tourism products or the training and preparation of professionals in the sector will be discussed. It is essential that future professionals receive, in addition to traditional knowledge in tourism management, training in sustainability, innovation, or digital marketing. This training integrated by these new disciplines contributes to a more sustainable tourism model. The continuous commitment to training and the exchange of knowledge to learn from experiences of other destinations will help us to continue improving and achieving excellence in our territories.

We look forward to seeing you from March 20 to 22, 2024 in Encamp.