Sustainability Spot: IAAPA is Making Strides

Making Sustainable Strides

IAAPA celebrates and elevates importance of sustainability

As more attractions embrace sustainability and others look to begin their journey, IAAPA stands ready to support operators and manufacturers of all sizes. With EDUSessions at IAAPA Expos, webinars, whitepapers, a newly created global director of sustainability position, and an inaugural IAAPA Brass Ring Award honoring facilities making a positive impact, the global association for the attractions industry is serious about sustainability.

At IAAPA Honors 2025 in Rust, Germany, the organization recognized PortAventura World in Tarragona, Spain, with an inaugural Brass Ring Award for Best Sustainability Program.

“Receiving this recognition is a tremendous honor and a reflection of the commitment, passion, and teamwork that define PortAventura World,” says the resort’s Chief Sustainability Officer Choni Fernandez. “Sustainability is part of our DNA and at the core of our purpose.”

PortAventura World wrote in its award application: “At PortAventura World, we believe in experiences that generate change. We have done this for over 25 years and, day after day, we challenge ourselves to improve the wellbeing of people, our community, and the planet we live on,” wrote the park.

PortAventura World’s award winning program is based on the principles of the UN Global Compact and Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the World Tourism Organization’s Global Code of Ethics for Tourism.

“We are confident that the jury recognized PortAventura World’s strategic vision of sustainability, which is present throughout all areas of the resort,” Fernandez tells Funworld. Those areas include environmental, social, and governance (ESG).

Fernandez offers these five suggestions to attractions ready to begin their sustainability journey:

1. Start with a clear purpose
2. Obtain commitment from top leadership
3. Engage employees to participate
4. Ask visitors to play a positive role
5. Start small, measure results, and then scale up with key learnings

“PortAventura World set the gold standard this year, demonstrating that sustainability isn’t a side program, but a core business strategy. Their bold commitment to carbon neutrality, community impact, and regenerative practices made them an undeniable choice,” says Chair of the Best Sustainability Award Task Force and Executive Vice President of SSA Ventures, David Rosenberg.

“This new IAAPA Brass Ring Award shows that sustainability is a strategic priority for IAAPA,” says Ylva Linder, IAAPA’s global director of sustainability. “It’s also a way to encourage our members, highlight great efforts, and celebrate the fantastic sustainability work happening across our industry.”

Linder joined IAAPA in December 2024, bringing 25 years of experience in strategic and operational sustainability work. With an Executive MBA and a degree in chemical engineering, she hit the ground running, quicky laying the foundation for IAAPA’s sustainability journey with strategy and guidelines. Based in Sweden, Linder joined IAAPA from Liseberg.  She’s developing digital sustainability training for IAAPA staff and the association’s members. The education modules will be practical, accessible, and designed to build knowledge. Ahead, Linder plans to create opportunities for shared learning and greater connections through a new professional network, whitepapers, and educational sessions.