The Iniciativa de Turismo Sostenible – Initiative for Sustainable Tourism – is a scheme designed to enhance and improve tourism in the Axarquia, a district made up of 31 municipalities.
The plan envisages an investment of €43.6 in the area, with €24 million being provided by the Junta de Andalucía.The Axarquia is already an area of natural beauty and has the added attractions of countless beaches and, more importantly, sun. The mayors of the thirty-one municipalities, along with business leaders, have been meeting to discuss their ideas and set priorities.
The idea is for business owners and local authorities to submit their plans by the end of February, with the aim of signing an agreement in March.
The top priorities for improving ‘sustainable’ tourism in the region appear to be:
- More golf courses
- More four and five star hotels
- More berths in existing marinas plus the construction of new marinas (Nerja and Torrox amongst them).
- More conference tourism
Other proposals put forward cover such items as cuisine, historical heritage, natural resources, signposting and the provision of cultural walks through some of the old town centres.
Town Hall projects will receive 70% funding from the Junta de Andalucía, approved projects undertaken by local businesses will receive 60% funding.