Expovacaciones has been awarded the Erronka Garbia seal of approval as a sustainable event. This certificate awarded by Ihobe, the Basque Government’s Public Environmental Management Company, recognises events that integrate environmental measures into their design and organisation to minimise potential negative impacts on the environment. The six main action lines envisaged are: mobility, energy, water, procurement, infrastructure and waste.

During the certification process, an assessment was made of the possible environmental aspects that the organisation could influence to improve and make a difference compared to previous editions. The aspects identified as having high magnitude were those concerning waste, energy consumption and mobility, among others. Regarding these aspects, the final report highlights the fact that 34% of the attendees arrived at the venue by public transport and 12% did so on foot. Regarding energy, 43% of the energy consumed was of renewable origin. Water had no impact on the event’s environmental footprint and 13,375 kilos of waste were collected for recycling.

To achieve these results, a determining factor was adjusting the intensity of light and temperature to the different time phases; reducing energy use at the stands; minimising, recording and selective collection of waste; reducing CO2 emissions through sustainable mobility; digitalising many of the tools for visitors; strengthening awareness-raising messages through communications, social media and the website; using low chemical emissions inks in printed signage materials and producing leaflets with 100% recycled paper, among many other actions.

Expovacaciones, the leading tourism event, held its latest edition in Hall 1 of BEC, which was attended by 23,519 people. This event, which attracts a large number of loyal attendees, is one of the longest-running events organised by the venue. Bilbao Exhibition Centre will apply this comprehensive management plan to its upcoming events, as part of its commitment to sustainability and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals agenda.