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Another 14 have shown their interest in joining the initiative, which was presented on 11 July, and which has the support and funding of the Xunta de Galicia.

The first companies to join Galicia Sustainable Destination Galicia will be eligible for funding for the creation of new sustainable tourism products thanks to a line of aid of more than 300,000 euros.

The deadline for applications will be open until 30 September and requests will be dealt with on a first-come, first-served basis.

A total of 13 companies from the Galician tourism sector are officially integrated in the Galicia Destino Sostible Product Club. The Club’s evaluation committee has just given the go-ahead to the incorporation of more than half a dozen entities, including accommodation, agencies and suppliers of complementary tourism offerings, which will soon publish their offers on the website www.galiciadestinosostible.com.

The Galician Tourism Cluster presented this initiative on 11 July to promote sustainable tourism in Galicia and make the destination a benchmark in this field at national and international level. Galicia Destino Sostible has the support and funding of the Xunta, through an agreement signed between the Axencia Turismo de Galicia and the Clúster.

The companies that already form part of Galicia Destino Sostible are: Rodeiramar Apartamentos, Siente Galicia, Albarari, Hotel Bela Fisterra, Casa de Cacheiro, Club Náutico de Portonovo, Hotel Bosque Mar, SIMPLY GALICIA, LORYGAR SL (A Quinta da Auga), Viajes Tambre, S.L., Ribeira Sacra Leisure & Lodging. Casa das Xacias, Alecrin Actividades y aventura, and Atlantis Adventure Turismo Activo S.L. In addition, another 14 companies have shown their interest in forming part of the Tourism Product Club, which aims to act as a hub that integrates the entire sustainable tourism offer in Galicia.

Any Galician company belonging to the subsectors categorised as accommodation, restaurants, travel agencies and suppliers of complementary tourism offerings that meet the requirements can join the new product club. Companies that already have an official sustainability certification (S of the ICTE, Biosphere, Green Key, Eu Ecolabel, Green Globe21, Travellife, Rainforest Alliance Certified, Estrella Verde da Guía MICHELIN, etc.) or an environmental certification (ISO 14000, EMAS, etc.) may join the club directly, as these are considered qualifying requirements. Companies that do not have any of these certifications may also join the club as long as they comply with 100% of the mandatory requirements and at least 33% of those considered assessable.

The initiative offers a line of aid to the Galician tourism sector of 312,000 to encourage companies to create new sustainable tourism products. This financial aid will be granted by the Cluster to the first companies to join the Galicia Sustainable Destination Club, as requests will be dealt with in strict order of application and will be formalised by signing a sponsorship contract.

In addition to financing, other advantages of belonging to the new product club include promotion, training and networking.  Galicia Sustainable Destination will connect tourists and companies through its website (www.galiciadestinosostible.com), facilitating access to the entire sustainable tourism offer in Galicia and acting as a guarantee, not only of sustainability, but also of quality.