The DGA injects 29 million euros from the Pyrenees Plan into Sobrarbe, the only region without ski slopes

The President of the Aragon Government, Jorge Azcón, explained this Thursday the main lines of the Pyrenees Plan in the Sobrarbe region. Among other initiatives, 29 million euros will be invested in tourism projects, affordable housing for workers, and the paving of the Chía-Plan trail. 

“The Pyrenees are a jewel, one of Aragon’s greatest assets, of which we are very proud and which we are obliged to preserve, improve, and develop so that its people can work year-round and live in their villages. In this context, the Pyrenees Plan will be essential for developing the region under sustainable criteria,” he summarized. 

The Plan includes several unique tourism projects, with an expected investment of over €13 million. “It’s important to remember that many of them have been agreed upon with the region and local business associations. All of them will serve to strengthen and de-seasonalize a sector as important to the region as tourism,” he emphasized. 

Among these tourism projects, ‘ Two Rivers and a Path ‘ stands out, with an investment of almost 3 million euros, which will connect the Cinca and Ara rivers through a greenway that can be enjoyed by hikers and cyclists. “Also noteworthy are the multiple projects that we are going to develop in the Ordesa and Monte Perdido Park, with a planned investment of almost two and a half million euros, such as improving access to the park through Fanlo and Sarvisé (400,000 euros), the opening of a path in the Añisclo canyon (500,000 euros) or the implementation of sustainable mobility systems in the park (900,000 euros),” he listed.

The president also mentioned “the actions to boost sports tourism, with a combined investment of one and a half million euros, including the center for promoting sustainable sports tourism in Aínsa, with 800,000 euros.” “With regard to housing, we are aware of the difficulties faced by workers in the Pyrenees in finding affordable housing . That’s why we have launched the “More Housing, Better Tourism” program, with which we will operate in the 43 most touristic municipalities in Aragon, some of them in this region,” indicated the head of the regional government.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

The Government of Aragon will promote 488 affordable homes in 43 municipalities, with an investment of 65 million euros, for workers in the tourism sector as well as for doctors, nurses, and teachers, “all of whom are essential to the survival of our communities.” Specifically, “in the Sobrarbe region , we have already put out to tender 46 homes in the municipalities of Broto (9 homes), Boltaña (15 homes), and Aínsa (22 homes),” he noted.

These 46 homes will soon be joined by another 10 in Torla, bringing the total to 56 homes in this region and an investment of just over €9 million. “Housing,” he reasoned, “cannot be an obstacle to the socioeconomic development of the Aragonese Pyrenees. This Plan would be meaningless if people willing to work here refused to do so because of the high cost of housing. That’s why housing is one of the cornerstones of the Pyrenees Plan through the ‘More Housing, Better Tourism’ program.”

The third pillar of the Sobrarbe Pyrenees Plan is the paving of the road from Chía to Plan. “The Government of Aragon is going to invest 7 million euros in this 25-kilometer connection , which is so in demand in the region, which will reduce the journey between the two municipalities by 45 minutes,” he stated. “Without a doubt,” he noted, “improving connections between the municipalities of Alto Aragón is one of the main objectives of the Pyrenees Plan, as good connections are key to making our towns more attractive and ensuring people can continue to live in them.”

195 MILLION

In just under two years, the Government of Aragon has already promoted projects in the Pyrenees totaling more than €195 million, “projects that will place the Aragonese Pyrenees at the forefront of European mountain ranges, becoming a true economic driver.” 

To date, the Government of Aragon has promoted hundreds of housing projects for workers in the Pyrenees, worth €40 million. The Astún-Candanchú link (almost €30 million), the Benasque-Cerler cable car (€12.8 million), the Panticosa toboggan run (€7.7 million), and numerous other tourism projects in the four Pyrenean regions.