Canillo Unveils 2035 Tourism Strategy for Year-Round Pyrenees Destination

Canillo parish presented the first phase of its 2035 tourism strategy on Thursday at the Palau de Gel auditorium, outlining seven strategic lines and 25 activities to establish the area as the Pyrenees' top year-round mountain destination focused on sustainable, family tourism.

The plan addresses heavy winter seasonality—where half of annual visitors arrive from December to March—and climate change pressures on snow-based activities. Overnight stays have grown significantly, reaching two million in 2022 after doubling since 2013, with families and young people as the primary visitors. Attractions like Pont Tibetà and Roc del Quer viewpoint rank in Andorra's top 10, accounting for nearly three in ten national leisure visits, though only 18% of parish visitors stay overnight.

Key projects include a €2.624 million expansion of the Roc del Quer viewpoint, now open to a national ideas competition, projected to draw 20,100 extra visitors spending €1.8 million and break even in five years. The €1.83 million "El Tomb de Canillo" mountain bike and e-bike route will form a 33-kilometer loop through the central valley, linking villages via upgraded paths, small footbridges, and ENSISA concessions on the shaded side, expecting 22,500 users. The 10 flagship initiatives could total €28 million, potentially adding 300,000 tourists and 500,000 visitors over nine years.

Major consul Jordi Alcobé called it a clear roadmap for integrated mountain tourism extending beyond the current term. He highlighted the need for year-round draws and stronger promotion, noting limited interaction between public efforts from the council, Palau de Gel, and ENSISA. "Public and private sectors often interact very little," he said, urging synergies for better tourist engagement.

At the council's urging, former consul and Grup JAT SL representative Francesc Camp—who led the strategy's development—outlined a public-private governance body acting as a "small employers' association" or guild. Still unnamed, it would unite hoteliers, tourist accommodations, retailers, leisure operators, and others to shape, execute, and partly fund projects, reducing public costs. Camp stressed private input in decisions and financing.

Supporting structures include a Canillo Tourism Committee and 2035 Strategy Council for data handling; a unified website and app for public-private offerings; expanding Canillo Escènic Arts into a two-week European festival with paid events and international programmers; and a "Living Lab" for co-creating sustainable experiences amid the shift from winter reliance. Additional ideas cover revitalizing village cores with theatrical tours, artisan fairs, and fresh markets, plus family mountain routes. Full implementation awaits prioritization based on budgets.