New Irish ecotourism organization launched

One of the businesses certified

Ireland should not underestimate the value of being green

Speaking at the official launch of EcoTourism Ireland, an organisation aimed at developing the Irish ecotourism industry, Mike Read of the Global Sustainability Tourism Council  said the impact of tourism can be immense, benefitting the economy, creating jobs, and preserving destinations.

However he said tourism can also be bad leading to climate change, disrupting communities, and consuming precious resources. "We need to treasure and protect our natural resources and use them to attract visitors but in a responsible and sustainable way" he said at the EcoTourism Ireland launch in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin. The Global Sustainable Tourism Council is an initiative dedicated to promoting and regulating sustainable tourism efforts around the globe. Ecotourism Ireland’s standard is one of the first to be officially recognised by GSTC as conforming to their international criteria.

Currently, the Irish tourism industry is worth €5 billion euro annually to the economy, with an estimated five per cent of this figure, or €250 million euro, spent on ecotourism experiences.

There are now 20 Irish companies certified with EcoTourism Ireland , with another 35 expected to come on stream in the next year. Eight of the certified companies have "Gold Certification".

EcoTourism Ireland CEO, Mary Mulvey, said ecotourism is highly suited to development in unspoilt, rural locations and can create jobs and income without destroying or degrading the natural or cultural assets the visitors have come to see.

"In Ireland, we have bog and wetland experiences, farms, marine and ecology, craft and food that can be developed as serious visitor experiences."

Failte Ireland Visitor Attitudes Surveys shows that Ireland’s nature/tourism and heritage offering is a key determining factor for visitors when choosing to holiday in Ireland. In 2010, 91% of holidaymakers rated ‘beautiful scenery’ as an important factor in visiting Ireland. 82% rated our natural environment and 81% the range of natural attractions.

Nature, wildlife and flora were have a particular resonance with mainland European visitors, especially those from Germany.

Ecotourism Ireland’s certification programme is focused on nature-based experiences. Certification can result in cost savings and act as a product development tool.

There are eight main criteria when applying for certification with a Gold, Silver and Bronze level depending on scoring.

Irish tourism businesses who have received Gold EcoTourism Ireland certification include:

• Dolphinwatch Carrigaholt, County Clare, providing wonderful Dolphin and Nature Boat trips, travelling to the mouth of the River Shannon.  http://www.dolhpinwatch.ie  
• Cnoc Suain, Spiddal, County Galway,  a cultural retreat in a restored 17th century Connemara Gaeltacht hill-village.  http://www.cnocsuain.com
• Heart of Burren Walks, Burren, County Clare, offering guided walks through the Burren, illustrating the rich legacy and the sacredness of the unique landscape. http://www.heartofburrenwalks.com
• Glenquin House, Burren County Clare, providing guided walks on the farm, visits to stone forts, cairns and other sites of archaeological interest. http://www.fathertedshouse.com
• The Boghill Centre, Burren, County Clare, a residential eco venue used for courses, events and conferences as well as holistic workshops and other eco training activities.  http://www.boghill.com
• CycleWest Ireland, County Galway, offering bike tours in the magnificent surroundings of Connemara, the Aran Islands and the West Coast. http://www.cyclewest.com
• Burren Smokehouse, Lisdoonvarna, County Clare, providing a range of locally sourced products and crafts, including their 100% Burren organic smoked Irish salmon. http://www.burrensmokehouse.ie
• The Roadside Tavern, Lisdoonvarna, County Clare, a famous historic vavern and the guaranteed craic make it an attraction to locals and visitors alike. http://www.roadsidetavern.ie

Ecotourism  Ireland  is  the  only  company  offering  bespoke  training to  achieve Global  Ecotourism  standards  in Ireland. The  Training  consists  of  a programme  ranging from  responsible  marketing, biodiversity and  conservation, ecotourism experience  and product  development, environmental  sustainable  practises. Mentoring and  networking  and   using  local  natural   resources  in  tourism for a major part of the training. 

For more information go to http://www.ecotourismireland.ie

Valere Tjolle
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