The Government Council of Andalusia has made a significant step by approving the start of processing the draft of the Sustainable Tourism Law, an initiative aimed at transforming and modernizing tourism management in the region. This new regulatory framework has a fundamental objective of organizing, planning, and promoting sustainable tourism, aligning with the principles of environmental, economic, and social sustainability.

The law, set to replace the one in force since 2012, arises in a context where tourism faces new challenges, especially post-COVID-19 pandemic. Andalusia positions itself as a key pillar in the Spanish tourism industry, leading the adoption of a model prioritizing sustainability, digitalization, and quality in the tourist experience.

The draft introduces the concept of tourism policy for the first time, establishing the pillars of governance in this sector. A Local Tourism Sustainability Observatory will also be created to foster collaboration between local entities, sector companies, and the Government of Andalusia.

Among the innovations proposed by the law are the creation of “singular planning instruments” that will allow for adjustments in strategies to the specific needs of each destination, including the possibility of developing tourism plans for rural areas. It also removes the limit of 100,000 inhabitants for classifying municipalities touristically, allowing for a more precise categorization.

In the area of tourist housing, the regulation acknowledges the need for these to be developed on land with a specific tourism use, and establishes that they must have the corresponding municipal license. The law also emphasizes the importance of principles of hospitality and coexistence and adds specific information obligations for sector companies.

For the first time, the regulation addresses tourism competitiveness and promotes actions of promotion, quality, and innovation, all within a co-governance framework seeking collaboration between various entities. Finally, it includes a management model based on the intelligent use of data and the definition of smart tourist destinations, along with a focus on research and development in the sector. With this new law, Andalusia prepares to consolidate a tourism that respects its cultural and natural identity, generating economic and employment opportunities within a sustainability framework.