Vilafranca del Penedès reinforces its commitment to sustainable tourism by renewing its Biosphere Certified designation. This recognition acknowledges the destination’s environmental, social, and economic best practices, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), further establishing its position as a benchmark for responsible wine tourism in Catalonia.
Vilafranca del Penedès, one of the most iconic wine destinations in Catalonia, has successfully renewed its certification as a Biosphere Certified Destination, thus reaffirming its commitment to a sustainable tourism model that integrates economic development, environmental preservation, and social cohesion.
This recognition confirms that the municipality continues to effectively implement practices aligned with the United Nations 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For this reason, we at Biosphere celebrate this significant milestone and congratulate the Vilafranca del Penedès City Council and all the local entities involved for their ongoing commitment and effort.
As the capital of the Alt Penedès Comarca, Vilafranca is widely recognized for its wine culture, its vast vineyard landscapes, and its strong offering of responsible wine tourism. The municipality has successfully built upon this identity through pioneering initiatives such as the “Vines for Heat” project, which reuses vineyard prunings to generate clean energy, and the installation of solar panels on public buildings. Noteworthy social initiatives include the renovation of housing for social use and the progressive replacement of public lighting with low-energy LED technology.
Culturally, Vilafranca offers unique assets such as the Vinseum – Museum of the Cultures of Wine of Catalonia; its renowned human towers (castells), recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity; and its Festa Major, declared a Heritage Festival of National Interest. All of this positions the municipality as a benchmark in cultural, sustainable, and locally rooted tourism.
The renewal of this sustainable tourism certification not only boosts the Vilafranca brand as a responsible destination but also opens new opportunities for the local business community.
At Biosphere, we encourage companies and organizations in the municipality to join the Vilafranca del Penedès Biosphere Destination program to enhance their reputation, stand out in the market, and connect with an increasingly conscious audience.
In a global context where sustainable tourism is becoming a competitive advantage, Vilafranca del Penedès reaffirms its position as a top-tier sustainable, cultural, and wine tourism destination.
[Image: Turisme Vilafranca]