The Dusal + project is born, a tourist space that unites the territories of Sobrarbe, Aure and Louron

Dusal +, the cross-border project that will unite the territories of Sobrarbe, Aure and Louron in a single tourist destination , has officially started this month in Aínsa in a launch meeting where the actions to which a total of 1,999,977.69 euros will be allocated were put on the table, distributed until next year 2026. The initiative is made up of a total of 19 partners, including public and private entities and organizations, which are located on both sides of the Pyrenean border.

DUSAL+ aims to integrate the tourist destination made up of the territories of Sobrarbe, in Spain, and the French valleys of Aure and Louron, an objective that was born with Poctefa-Dusal 2017-2021 and that will now continue to face the challenges of achieving de-seasonalisation and marketing of the destination in international spheres, as well as adaptation to climate change, sustainability and social commitment.

“We are once again working together with town councils, associations, tourist offices and various public and private entities to advance in the creation and consolidation of a unique cross-border tourist destination, involving 90% of the agents with a common image and creating a dozen new sustainable cross-border products,” explained Enrique Pueyo, mayor of Aínsa-Sobrarbe, head of the project, at the meeting.

“The idea is to develop integration actions for the Destination, including the projection of a common image, improving the culture of reception, exchange of professionals, improving the reception infrastructure and promoting the destination internationally,” continued Pueyo. To this end, ten new cross-border tourism products will be designed on the themes of culture and heritage (fairs, museums, mining legacy); ecotourism (cross-border biodiversity route, nature festival, educational trails, biosphere reserve routes, pastoralism) and sport (mountain biking, trail, Val du Louron sports centre).

The whole process is expected to result in the joint projection of the destination, the alignment of professionals, the increase in international visitors, the improvement of the tourist experience and the valorisation of local resources (culture, heritage, nature). The beneficiaries will be the inhabitants of the territory, professionals, companies, responsible public administrations and other territories that can be inspired by this process to replicate it. “The basis is cross-border cooperation based on synergies and complementarities. We are going to create the first cross-border destination in the Pyrenees”, concluded the mayor of Ainsa.

The DUSAL+ project has been 65% co-financed by the European Union through the Interreg VI A Spain-France-Andorra Programme (POCTEDA 2021-2027). The objective of Poctefa is to strengthen the economic and social integration of the Spain-France-Andorra border area. The project partners are the Spanish town councils of Aínsa-Sobrarbe, Boltaña, Bielsa and San Juan de Plan, the Zona Zero Association, the Sobrarbe Tourism and Business Association, the Foundation for the Conservation of the Quebrantahuesos, the Sobrarbe Region, the Ordesa Viñamala Biosphere Reserve, Commune de Vielle-Aure, Mairie d’Ilhet, 2 Valles Aure Louron regional tourism office, Commune e Aulon, Commune de Loudenvielle, Luchon Louron Cyclisme, Mairie d´Arreau, Mairie d´Aragnouet, Sivu Aure 2000 and the Haute Valle Du Louron Tourist Office.