Sant Julià de Lòria Hosts Fifth 'Un Món Millor' Forum on Sustainable Tourism Innovation

Sant Julià de Lòria will host the fifth edition of the 'Un Món Millor' forums on 20 April, focusing on innovation in sustainable tourism under the theme of tourism, sustainability and innovation.

Organised by the parish council and Ràdio SER Andorra, the event will take place from 9am in the Sergi Mas hall at Casa Comuna. Entry is free but limited to 100 attendees, with registration open until 17 April; organisers say about 40 spots are already taken and invite professionals, students and residents to join.

Deputy consul Sofia Cortesao and station director Marisol Fuentes presented the programme on Wednesday. Cortesao called the forums an essential annual fixture for the parish and Andorra, serving as a space for reflection and action to develop a sustainable, responsible tourism model suited to the future. This edition builds on previous discussions of sustainable mobility, landscape protection and climate change by emphasising innovation, particularly in mountain areas like Andorra. She highlighted the need for adaptation, shared responsibility, environmental preservation, local identity and development for future generations, pointing to initiatives like Naturland's sustainability shift. Cortesao advocated non-massified, family-oriented tourism over youth-focused models to reduce environmental impact while attracting higher-spending visitors, aligning with UN sustainable development goals.

Fuentes stressed that sustainable tourism is essential for the sector's viability, attributing the forums' success to public-private partnerships and urging businesses to protect the environment.

Eight speakers from Andorra and abroad will offer global and local perspectives on Pyrenean climate impacts, ethical tourism and AI applications. The morning opens with remarks from major consul Cerni Cairat, followed by academic sessions: geographer and Observatori Pirinenc del Canvi Climàtic coordinator Eva Garcia Balaguer on climate change in the Pyrenees; anthropologist Jordi Ficapal on ethical tourism; and AI marketing consultant Rafael de Jorge on practical applications. A public roundtable follows.

The afternoon examines case studies: Ordino environment department head Marc Font on five years of the parish's biosphere reserve as a model for others; Lloret de Mar tourism director Elizabeth Keegan on the town's model transformation; Vital Pirineus founder Albert Gomà Sala on local wool products; Les Pardines 1819 owner Josep Maria Puy Segura (also known as Puisegura) on blending family tradition with modernity; and Naturland director Miquel Llanas (also Llanas) on the company's transformation plans. The day ends with a full-speaker roundtable moderated by journalist Noemí Rodríguez.

Cortesao described the debate as more vital than ever, calling for collaborative efforts toward balanced, territory-respecting tourism. She also confirmed the new cultural centre auditorium's opening on 25 June, with an open-door weekend of theatre, music and dance.