Andorra stands as an ecotourism destination of reference, as 92% of its territory is made up of mountains, rivers, lakes and meadows. An enclave located in the heart of the eastern Pyrenees that invites us to reflect and become aware of our relationship as human beings with Mother Nature. The ideal scenario to analyze, innovate and improve the practice of tourism in communion with the natural environment. A favorable environment for new ideas to germinate.

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Andorra is a country full of dreamlike landscapes and an enormous biodiversity, in which its human landscape also stands out. People with a strong link to the Andorran territory who, thanks to their way of understanding the world and their entrepreneurship, become both guardians and promoters of the natural, historical and cultural heritage of the region. Andorra offers us the opportunity to take care of our physical and mental health, face new sporting challenges or enjoy a premium experience, always in direct connection with its wonderful natural environment.

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The entrepreneurial and active nature of Andorrans, as well as their strong ties to the territory, encourages constant reflection on our relationship with the natural environment and how it can be improved. To this end, Andorra is carrying out an innovation process together with Imagine Creativity Center, with the aim of addressing the specific challenges faced by the country in terms of Health, Sport and Premium Tourism. 

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Inspired by the personal stories and success stories of Xary, Marta and Josep, different working groups analyze and propose innovative, viable and effective solutions to improve the tourism experience of those who visit Andorra, at any time of the year, in a sustainable, conscious and responsible way.

XARY RODRÍGUEZ

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Xary Rodríguez is a former professional cyclist, originally from Chiclana (Cádiz), who has been living in Andorra since 2013 with her husband, also a former professional cyclist. In love with the territory, Xary says that Andorra is an idyllic place for cycling, not only for the large number of existing mountain passes, or for the quality of services surrounding this sport, but above all for the genuine feeling of freedom, security and connection with nature that you get when cycling through the Andorran territory. 

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Xary started her cycling career late, when she was already 20 years old, in a context in which women's cycling was a very minority sport. She currently leads "Andona", a club whose raison d'être is the sporting and social inclusion of women, through the practice of cycling in community. An initiative to which Xary feels very emotionally connected, as it allows her to use her knowledge and personal experience to give opportunities and tools to other girls, as she was given them when she started in the world of cycling. 

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After several months of hard training, they have managed to win their first race as a cycling club. However, Andona's great success is the creation of a strong social community, which works as a team and enjoys cycling as a common passion. Xary says that now the next challenge is to move the grassroots. It is time to use the referents they have already created to promote and encourage the practice of cycling among children. To create a cycling culture strongly rooted in Andorra and its natural environment.

MARTA ROSINACH

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Marta Rosinach arrived from Venezuela with her husband Eduardo and their two children, in a context in which her hometown had become one of the most dangerous places in the world. Marta defines her relationship with Andorra as something truly magical, because after leaving behind the conflict, the stress and the asphalt of the big cities, she found here a haven of peace and security. She currently teaches yoga and pilates, as well as complementary therapies focused on body awareness and personal growth, always in connection with nature due to the benefits it brings to our wellbeing.

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Yoga, or other similar practices, allows us to address physical, emotional and spiritual health in a complementary way to modern medicine. It is a set of activities that connect us more easily with the environment and with ourselves, especially when it is practiced in the natural environment. Marta affirms that contact with nature, even if only visually and for a moment, brings us health and well-being, allowing us to find our inner peace and combat mental states of anxiety, stress or depression that are generated by the vortex of everyday life.

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Marta highlights Andorra's ability to surprise her again, as no matter where you are in the country, you always feel that nature is at your fingertips. The fact of remembering again the beauty of our planet and that this feeling turns into gratitude. Thus, Marta invites the Andorrans themselves to become aware and reflect on how lucky they are to be able to live in such a wonderful natural place as Andorra, as we are often so used to take something for granted, that we are not able to live or enjoy what we have.

JOSEP ARENY

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Josep Areny is the elder brother of one of the ten historical families of the village of Soldeu, who traditionally dedicated themselves to agriculture and livestock farming in the high mountains. His family home, Cal Calbó, was also an inn that welcomed travelers crossing from France to Spain and vice versa. Very conscious of his humble origins, Josep has wanted to preserve that mentality and values in the premium offer he offers today at the Sport Hotel Hermitage & Spa. He also states that Andorra is eminently a country of nature, with wonderful forests, lakes and valleys, so respect for the territory and the environment is fundamental in all his hotel proposal. 

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Josep recalls that his mother Carme was a great cook, while his aunt Pepa served with great dedication to the guests at the hostel. He recognizes that it was thanks to the two of them that his passion and love for the hotel business was born, as well as the conviction to provide the best possible service to guests. As a tribute to the gastronomic legacy of his predecessors, Josep is now committed to a high-level culinary offer. Jordi Grau is the chef leading the Ibaya restaurant project, located within the Hotel Hermitage itself. In 2021 they received their first Michelin star, a recognition to a modern gastronomic proposal that is inspired by the tradition of the Andorran territory, where the "mother's cuisine" and the proximity product is the basis of everything.

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Josep's most recent project is, at the same time and most probably, the one that best represents his personal values and professional career in the world of hospitality. In the Pyrenees, a "borda" is the name given to the traditional hut made of stone, wood and slate that was generally used to shelter the livestock in winter, as well as the cattle's own food. This cultural and historical heritage of Andorra, nowadays largely disused, has been restored and reconverted into a very unique and authentic premium experience that takes into account sustainable integration within the territory and the landscape.