In the late 1990s, I lived in Granada, Spain and visited many regions of outstanding beauty. One area that has always left a lasting impression on me is the pristine coastal area called Cabo de Gata. Cabo de Gata - Níjar Natural Park lies in the Andalusian region of Spain, along the Meditteranean coast. This marine-terrestrial conservation region is considered the most significant ecological region of the European Western Meditteranean. The park was recently awarded the European Sustainable Tourism Charter and is now included in the EUROPARC Federation list of protected areas in Europe.  The award signifies that Cabo de Gata is successfully implementing sustainable development in local tourism strategies. Personally, the news is inspiring and comforting to know that the biodiversity and beauty that allured me then is being conserved for future generations to enjoy.