MADRID ,
A SUSTAINABLE MICE DESTINATION
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Sustainability is a general concern that is also felt by the MICE segment and by Madrid , which offers a number of solutions .
Planning a walking tour of the city
A tour of the city is one of the first things included in any incentives trip , and Madrid lends itself perfectly to walking . Pedestrian areas like Puerta del Sol or Plaza de España and its surrounding area , and wide sidewalks like those along Gran Vía avenue make for a comfortable , pleasant walk made even more so by the nearly 3,000 hours of sunshine the city receives each year and the fact that 55 % of its streets are tree-lined . It ’ s also easy to get around by bike . The city ’ s public BiciMAD service boasts 258 docking stations and 3,000 fully electrical bicycles .
Discovering Madrid ’ s natural heritage
With more than 200 parks and gardens adding up to almost 16,000 acres of green heritage , there are countless spots for you to have fun in a healthy environment , from the historical El Retiro Park – recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site – to Madrid Río . The latter stretches for over six miles along the banks of the Manzanares River which underwent an ecological restoration just a few years ago . In other areas that are less frequented by tourists , but are still bursting with personality , you ’ ll find some fantastic historical gardens like those of Finca de Vista Alegre and El Capricho Park .
Enjoying the local cuisine
Sustainability is a prevalent feature on Madrid ’ s restaurant scene , and gourmet restaurants are no exception . El Invernadero , for instance , which is run by Madrid-born chef Rodrigo de la Calle , has been awarded a Green Michelin Star . This distinction , which recognizes commitment to sustainable gastronomy , is also held by Mario Sandoval ’ s two-Michelin-starred restaurant Coque .
A sustainable culinary tour of Madrid could also include a meal at one of its markets , like San Miguel or San Antón , or sampling products endorsed by the Madrid Designation of Origin such as the region ’ s acclaimed wines or extra virgin olive oil .
Purchasing artisanal goods
@ Javier Peñas
Setting some time aside in an incentive trip for shopping can be not just fun but sustainable too . The best way to achieve this is by purchasing artisanal goods made in Madrid . You ’ ll find capes , gloves , hats , crockery , fans , Manila shawls , jewelry , bags , furniture , tapestries , guitars , wicker goods and more . Some businesses , like Capas Seseña , Sombrerería Medrano , and Guitarras Ramírez , are over a century old and are part of the city ’ s history .
The PLUS tool
Madrid Convention Bureau ( MCB ) has launched PLUS Legacy with US , a pioneering initiative in Spain consisting of a digital platform that helps organizers effectively manage the sustainability and legacy of their events in line with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ) laid out in the UN ’ s 2030 Agenda . The tool allows individual sustainability reports to be created for every meeting held in Madrid and provides recommendations to minimize their environmental and social impact during the planning stage , before the events are held .
Another of MCB ’ s objectives is to support associations and private organizations that are looking to ensure that their conferences or events contribute to quantifiable , long-lasting positive change in the city . There is a growing conviction among host destinations that a meeting should create legacy , and associations and companies are increasingly bringing their missions and visions into line with the aims of the places where they hold their meetings . MCB aims to position itself as a key point of liaison to ensure that meetings held in Madrid leave a positive mark on the city . esmadrid . com / mcb