Andorra Tourism Law Faces Surge of Amendments from Demòcrates and GPS
Parliamentary groups propose measures for standardized signage, sustainable tourism, and enhanced governance to balance growth with environmental.
Key Points
- Demòcrates submits amendments for standardized signage on hotels to protect urban, natural, and cultural heritage.
- GPS proposes definitions for sustainable tourism, saturated areas, and tourist housing, plus broader governance input.
- GPS calls for measurable sustainability indicators, carrying capacity reviews, and flow limits in high-tourism zones.
- Amendments include user protections, multilingual info, data portal, and tourism degree study; period ends Friday.
**Andorra Tourism Law Amendments Surge as Demòcrates Bolsters GPS Proposals**
Parliamentary groups in Andorra continue to propose amendments to the draft tourism law under discussion, with Demòcrates submitting two measures for standardised outdoor signage on tourist accommodations, building on 12 proposals from the Social Democratic Parliamentary Group (GPS).
Demòcrates wants the government to develop a regulation establishing consistent standards for signage on hotels and similar sites. The aim is to safeguard urban and natural landscapes alongside cultural heritage, fostering a unified tourist aesthetic that respects parish authorities. Demòcrates councillor general Meritxell López said the changes would ensure exterior advertising remains "respectful and harmonious" with its environment. Tied to Article 44 on tourist signage, the amendments would scrap obsolete rules from 1982, with specifics left to a forthcoming executive decree.
The GPS amendments, presented by councillor general Pere Baró, focus on balancing tourism expansion with Andorra's environmental, social, and economic carrying capacity while upholding natural spaces and community links to match international standards. They add definitions for sustainable tourism, tourist-saturated areas, and tourist-use housing to sharpen sector oversight.
Governance would broaden to involve parish delegates, environmental groups, neighbourhood associations, and consumer bodies, incorporating an intergenerational equity principle to protect resources for future generations.
On strategic planning, GPS urges the national tourism plan to feature measurable indicators for sustainability, de-seasonalisation, job quality, and social returns. The government would conduct regular carrying capacity reviews and introduce flow management or limits in saturated areas.
User protections would strengthen via refunds or compensation for substandard services, alongside multilingual information at major tourist hubs. Additional measures cover studying a tourism bachelor's degree at the University of Andorra, launching an Andorra Turisme data portal, and boosting training and openness.
GPS argues these steps promote a sustainable, resident-friendly model that enhances sector competitiveness. The amendment period, extended until next Friday following Andorra Endavant's request, ends soon ahead of committee scrutiny and full Council General consideration.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources:
- Diari d'Andorra•
El PS impulsa esmenes per a un turisme més sostenible i transparent
- Bon Dia•
El PS reclama compensacions per als usuaris si els serveis turístics no compleixen
- Altaveu•
El PS planteja que el Govern actualitzi periòdicament els estudis de capacitat de càrrega turística
- Diari d'Andorra•
El PS proposa reforçar la sostenibilitat i la governança en la llei de turisme
- Altaveu•
Una normativa unificarà la publicitat i la retolació exterior dels allotjaments turístics