One of the recommendations that Unai Mensuro’s team shares with clients of Camping de Zaragoza is become friends with your neighbor. The formality of a hotel does not inspire you to play in the hallway -points out this reinvented entrepreneur- but a campsite, with its common areas, trees, earth, and the outdoors, has the ability to generate bonds. Unai Mensuro, Director of Tourism for the Grupo Océano Atlántico in the Aragonese capital, as well as the director of Camping de Zaragoza, has been promoting a new line of sustainable tourism in Océano Atlántico for the past two years, focusing on digitalization and responsible, sustainable growth.
Tourism in Aragon is growing in quantity and quality, emphasizes this proud Aragonese with a smile, who recognized the growth potential of Camping de Zaragoza, which he has directed since 2010. In this interview, he shares new tourism projects and reflects on sustainability: it is not only environmental; it is also social, economic, and human.
Aragon surpassed two million visitors for the first time last year. A noteworthy figure is that, for the first time, Aragonese people have been our own top tourists in our own territory. This speaks very well of how we value our land, assures Unai Mensuro.
What is the Océano Atlántico tourist project and how did the initiative come about?
It is a natural evolution of a restless, young, and constantly moving group. The Grupo Océano Atlántico is based on well-established lines, such as education, and other recent services and enterprises. This new tourism area was created with the goal of establishing a line of tourism that not only includes accommodations, but also connects experiences, training, and sustainability. It all started with Camping de Zaragoza, which joined the group two years ago, and from there we are growing with other spaces such as the Albergue de Cretas (Teruel) or the rural house in Blesa (Teruel).
What was your role in the integration of Camping de Zaragoza?
I had already been in charge of the camping since 2010. Océano Atlántico proposed that we join forces. We quickly came to an understanding, and the project began to take shape. What started as a temporary initiative has become a new strategic line within the group.
How did the project evolve since that initial incorporation of the campsite?
Initially, it was something temporary in terms of tourism, but with the development of the first year and a half, at the end of 2024, the management proposed the possibility of creating a specific new tourism line. The idea is to grow in accommodations that are not only the campsite, also manage Albergue de Cretas, and create a group of accommodations that include campsites, rural houses… We do not limit ourselves exclusively to the camping world, but we have the vision of feeding back into the group.
Tell us about the Albergue de Cretas (Teruel). It seems to be a project that excites you particularly.
It is one of those wonderful and hidden villages in Matarraña! Moreover, it is unknown and brings you incredible tranquility. The hostel is located within what was the old railway station, which has been transformed, and there begins the greenway that takes you to Tortosa. It is perfect for that slow tourism that people are increasingly seeking.
As the person in charge of this new line of tourism, what are your main challenges? What challenges have you faced leading this new stage?
The number one, without a doubt, is digitalization. Everything that is easier is at the reach of a screen. I believe this will be one of the most significant qualitative leaps. I am in the process with Cretas to enable online check-ins, so that all bookings can be made through booking engines, digitalized surveys… Everything has to be measurable and quantifiable, not subjective. This information allows us to improve the customer experience, and also helps us make better decisions for the future in terms of accommodations and investments.
Tourism in Aragon seems to be experiencing remarkable growth in recent years.
This is the perception and the reality. Tourism in Aragon is growing in both quantity and quality. A few weeks ago, at the Annual Assembly of Horeca (Federation of Hospitality Entrepreneurs of Zaragoza), the Minister of Environment and Tourism of the Government of Aragon, Manuel Blasco, pointed out that in 2024, for the first time in history, we have surpassed two million visitors. And there is a fact that particularly caught my attention and fills me with pride: for the first time in Aragon, Aragonese people were number one in tourism within Aragon. We surpassed the Catalans. Aragonese people have been our own top tourists in our own territory. This speaks very well of how we value our land.
Speaking of sustainability, how do you work on it at Océano Atlántico? Sustainability seems to be a fundamental pillar of your project.
For us, sustainability is not just environmental. It is social, economic, and human. We care for our workers, reduce waste, promote local sourcing, and engage with the local community. We participate in social projects, work with local associations, and strive to leave a positive footprint wherever we go. And yes, it is true, sustainability is essential for us. Today’s children will be tomorrow’s tourists, and they will demand from the very beginning that it be sustainable and that they have access to local products. And not only that environmental sustainability that everyone talks about, but sustainability with your employees, with the surrounding environment, contributing something to society. This is not a trend; it is here to stay, and we will be expected to uphold it.
How do you implement that sustainability philosophy at Océano Atlántico?
One of the things I pride myself on is that Océano Atlántico has a different way of doing things. We strive to do it «oceanic,» as we say. There is an exclusive department within the group that is dedicated to sustainability in its entirety: the well-being of the worker, the waste we generate, the carbon footprint, equality… All of this is part of sustainability. That a company in which you work and make decisions cares about this every day is something to be proud of.
How many people are on the team that makes up this project?
During high season, with extras and weekends, we reach up to 45 people at Camping de Zaragoza. In the entire tourism unit of Océano Atlántico, we have around 60 people. When managing teams, I strive to make everyone feel like one of the team. If we need to paint, we paint; if we need to pick up trash, we pick it up. Instilling this in the teams is extremely valuable.
How do you manage a team of more than 60 people?
With closeness, empathy, and values. People need care. Sometimes a fan that is needed because of the heat, or a day at the pool with family, or a massage session during high season is worth more than a financial bonus. We invest in emotional salary and team culture. And this shows in people’s commitment. We create family days, invest in emotional salary and team culture through sightseeing trips, etc. Those details are highly valued by people.
