The Sierra Gorda has achieved the EarthCheck Bronze seal, thanks to the management of the Secretary of Tourism of the State of Querétaro and the Sierra Gorda Ecological Group, which have the vision of transforming abrasive tourism into a sustainable one, but...
How did we get there and what's next?
Uncontrolled global tourism has been the cause of the devastation of the environment, and Sierra Gorda has been no exception; however, for 36 years, Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda (GESG), hand in hand with the state authorities, has been taking firm steps to seek solutions and invite those who travel or live in the Sierra Gorda to adopt better practices in favor of nature, its conservation and the development of local communities.
As of 2021, and after several years of inter-institutional work, the Government of the State of Querétaro, headed by Mr. Mauricio Kuri González, assumes a forceful commitment to the environment through the instruction of its different dependencies and the structuring of the three levels of government, under the coordination of the Secretariat of Tourism of the State of Querétaro. to continue adding to the exemplary and constant work of leaders of organized civil society in our Reserve, such as Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda IAP.
EarthCheck is a certification that includes a comparative and scientific evaluation focused on tourism, which, since 1987, has helped destinations, communities and governments to find better ways to offer experiences, clean, prosperous and healthy destinations for those who travel, live and enjoy tourism from a renewed perspective that takes into account Mother Nature.
This certification is globally recognized, and helps travelers make better-informed decisions about the tourism experiences they choose.
Sierra Gorda Earns EarthCheck Bronze Certification
In 2011, after starting the management program of the biosphere reserve in Querétaro, Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda (GESG) launched all the cavalry to cover the issue of sustainable tourism at the regional level and submitted a proposal to a geotourism contest organized by ASHOKA and the Inter-American Development Bank.
Grupo Ecológico won the contest thanks to the strategy of caring for, identifying and encouraging long-term factors of change in the different destinations that make up the Sierra Gorda, especially mountain women.
This is how the now known Ruta del Sabor was drawn up and worked on, headed by women, trained and supported by the civil organization GESG, to transform the gastronomic experience of the region and, in parallel, to form the Route of the Artisans, where, once again, women are the protagonists, making embroidery with motifs of nature, his work in ceramics or even in herbalism.
With the establishment of these routes , the aim was to establish standards aimed at local development in a sustainable way, integrating the education factor to improve customer service, greater hygienic management and a collective image that would unify all the efforts of the group and its allies.
Thanks to this work, Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda was awarded the TO DO! award, for being a socially responsible agent that has made the Sierra Gorda a strong candidate to become a globally recognized sustainable destination.
Getting there was not easy: Grupo Ecológico had to submit to the Global Sustainable Tourism Council ( GSTC ) hosted by the United Nations (UN), which was the first donor for the carbon capture program created by GESG in 2005, and with whom the first pilot of a sustainable destination qualified as an "Early Adopter" was made.
From there and the good result, this civil organization from the Sierra Gorda managed to be awarded, among others, by National Geographic in Berlin, thanks to its community model focused on tourism.
This background laid the foundations for the Sierra Gorda to have the EarthCheck certification in its Bronze version, which is a step that Grupo Ecológico recognizes as "preparing" to be able to conquer the Silver certification in the near future, with the collaboration of all the actors of society to achieve a great common goal.
To achieve the Silver certification in the future, all the actors of society will have to work shoulder to shoulder to achieve a great goal in support of the Sierra Gorda, one of the most important lungs of Mexico and the planet.
A tour of the workshops of Villa Progreso, where the craftsmanship of ixtle and ceramics reveals the tradition and talent of its artisans.
Bodegas Vaivén is a vineyard that is clear about its concept; balance and equilibrium are a fundamental part of its philosophy. Visit it and experience everything about wine in the Querétaro semi-desert.
The Hotel Villa Mexicana is a space full of elegance and good service. Its exclusivity is one of its main characteristics. It is an environment in which business tourism can enjoy signature spaces in a typical Mexican hacienda environment.
