Xàtiva Opts for Sustainable Tourism to Protect its Essence

Xàtiva City Council presents its Destination Tourism Sustainability Plan to prevent overcrowding and preserve local heritage.

Facade of Xàtiva's town hall, with a balcony and iron railings, under the afternoon sun.
IA

Facade of Xàtiva's town hall, with a balcony and iron railings, under the afternoon sun.

The Xàtiva City Council has unveiled its Destination Tourism Sustainability Plan (PSTD), a crucial initiative to protect the city's environment and identity from invasive tourism practices.

This document, serving as a roadmap, aims to prioritize quality over quantity in the tourism sector. Under the slogan ‘Capgirem’ (Let's Turn Around), the municipality seeks to reverse the negative effects of mass tourism, advocating for a model that values local culture, proximity economy, and respect for residents.

"The project is an opportunity to take a step forward towards sustainability, with actions that will be key to improving the lives of citizens."

Raquel Caballero · Councillor
The PSTD, funded by NextGenerationEU funds, is based on four essential pillars to ensure that Xàtiva remains a vibrant city. These include heritage protection, with improvements to the Castle Interpretation Center and the recovery of historical environments. It also considers efficient resource management, with water and energy control and stricter waste management to minimize the visitor's footprint.
Furthermore, the plan promotes intelligent mobility to regulate tourist flows and prevent public space saturation, ensuring residents' peace. Finally, it seeks the involvement of the local community through specific training for businesses and associations, ensuring that tourism benefits remain within the community.
The council emphasizes the importance of citizen participation in this paradigm shift, which is why participatory workshops and training sessions open to all social and business sectors have been scheduled. All detailed information about the PSTD and registration forms are available on the official portal xativaturismo.com.