Segell Aro Verd – Commitment to Sustainability is a distinction awarded by the Municipality of Castell d’Aro, Platja d’Aro and S’Agaró that recognizes companies and organizations in the municipality that implement good practices in environmental sustainability, social responsibility and accessibility. Linked to the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda, it was created with the intention of transforming the municipality into a responsible tourism destination in Costa Brava.
Sònia Joanals, CEO of Hotel Bell Repòs, Lluís Moliné representing the Association of Hotels in Platja d’Aro, Sara Peces, CEO of Llagosnet, and Marina Mestres, both representing ADEM, the association of entrepreneurs in Platja d’Aro, met with the Municipality, with Mayor Maurici Jimenez and Councilor for Tourism Imma Gelabert, and presented the proposal to create this local sustainability seal for tourism companies in the municipality. This was to be a series of good practices in a progressive dynamic to introduce sustainability to local businesses.
The municipality believed in the project and it has been managed by the tourism department. Finally, in May 2025, the AROVERD Sustainability Seal was launched, and in May 2026, 17 initial companies were certified.
What evaluates the “Segell Aro Verd”
To obtain the distinction, companies must complete a self-assessment process in specific areas:
- Energy and water efficiency
- Waste management and plastic reduction
- Local and proximity consumption
- Accessibility and social inclusion
- Responsibility to the environment
Companies receive technical advice throughout the process. It is not a one-time procedure: it is real support to improve existing practices and incorporate new ones.
In the first edition (2025-2026), more than 25 companies showed interest, and 17 obtained the certification. The municipality’s objective is for the initiative to gradually extend to more sectors and, in the long term, to be replicated in other municipalities in the area.
Hotel Bell Repòs: One of the First Facilities Certified with the “Segell Aro Verd”
Hotel Bell Repòs, our ecological hotel in Platja d’Aro, is one of the establishments that obtained the Aro Verd Seal in this first call for proposals. The hotel has held Biosphere certification for four years and features rooms adapted for people with reduced mobility, motor disabilities and hearing impairments, a breakfast buffet with more than 80% local products and certified options for celiacs, lactose intolerance and vegan diets. Additionally, it develops its own projects such as the Green Bucket, the Sustainable Room and the Butterfly Oasis.
On our website you can read about our 10 main actions to be a sustainable hotel on the Costa Brava.
The “Segell Aro Verd” comes to recognize an already consolidated trajectory in real, daily sustainability.
Sònia Joanals
Hotel Bell Repòs Management
