{"id":987,"date":"2022-04-14T08:02:53","date_gmt":"2022-04-14T07:02:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/?page_id=987"},"modified":"2022-06-01T22:32:32","modified_gmt":"2022-06-01T21:32:32","slug":"sustainable-tourism","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/sustainable-tourism\/","title":{"rendered":"Delivering a Sustainable Tourism Industry"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">jQuery(function() { _initLayerSlider( '#layerslider_5_7xtb8e71wmam', {createdWith: '6.11.4', sliderVersion: '6.11.4', type: 'fullwidth', fullSizeMode: 'hero', allowFullscreen: true, pauseOnHover: 'enabled', skin: 'v6', sliderFadeInDuration: 350, navStartStop: false, navButtons: false, showCircleTimer: false, useSrcset: true, skinsPath: 'https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/plugins\/LayerSlider\/assets\/static\/layerslider\/skins\/', performanceMode: true}); });<\/script><link href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css?family=Oswald:100,100i,200,200i,300,300i,400,400i,500,500i,600,600i,700,700i,800,800i,900,900i\" rel=\"stylesheet\"><div id=\"layerslider_5_7xtb8e71wmam\"  class=\"ls-wp-container fitvidsignore ls-selectable\" style=\"width:1200px;height:850px;margin:0 auto;margin-bottom: 0px;\"><div class=\"ls-slide\" ><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/BG-Burren-49pc.jpg\" class=\"ls-bg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/BG-Burren-49pc-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/BG-Burren-49pc-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/BG-Burren-49pc-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/BG-Burren-49pc-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/BG-Burren-49pc-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/BG-Burren-49pc-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/BG-Burren-49pc-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/BG-Burren-49pc-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/BG-Burren-49pc.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><p style=\"top:485px;left:206px;font-weight:500;background-size:inherit;background-position:inherit;font-size:31px;color:#afca98;font-family:Oswald;line-height:falsepx;\" class=\"ls-l ls-text-layer\" data-ls=\"offsetxin:left;durationin:1500;delayin:750;position:relative;\">A KEY REPORT BY THE IRISH TOURISM INDUSTRY CONFEDERATION<\/p><p style=\"top:533px;left:443px;font-weight:500;background-size:inherit;background-position:inherit;font-size:31px;color:#afca98;font-family:Oswald;line-height:falsepx;\" class=\"ls-l ls-text-layer\" data-ls=\"offsetxin:right;durationin:1500;delayin:750;position:relative;\">IN ASSOCIATION WITH AIB<\/p><p style=\"top:769px;left:467px;font-weight:400;background-size:inherit;background-position:inherit;font-size:31px;color:#fff;font-family:Oswald;\" class=\"ls-l ls-text-layer\" data-ls=\"delayin:2750;position:relative;\">Published 27 April 2022<\/p><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"213\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LOGO-AIB-PP-White.png\" class=\"ls-l ls-img-layer\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LOGO-AIB-PP-White-200x235.png 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LOGO-AIB-PP-White.png 213w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 213px) 100vw, 213px\" style=\"top:609px;left:543px;background-size:inherit;background-position:inherit;width:117px;height:134px;\" data-ls=\"offsetyin:bottom;durationin:1500;delayin:1500;position:relative;\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"230\" height=\"230\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LOGO-ITIC-Recycle.png\" class=\"ls-l ls-img-layer\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LOGO-ITIC-Recycle-66x66.png 66w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LOGO-ITIC-Recycle-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LOGO-ITIC-Recycle-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LOGO-ITIC-Recycle.png 230w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 230px) 100vw, 230px\" style=\"top:39px;left:493px;background-size:inherit;background-position:inherit;width:215px;height:215px;\" data-ls=\"offsetyin:top;durationin:1500;position:relative;\"><p style=\"top:239px;left:200px;background-size:inherit;background-position:inherit;font-size:92px;font-family:Oswald;color:#fff;\" class=\"ls-l ls-text-layer\" data-ls=\"offsetyin:-50sh;durationin:1500;position:relative;\">Delivering a Sustainable<\/p><p style=\"top:337px;left:321px;font-weight:400;background-size:inherit;background-position:inherit;font-size:92px;font-family:Oswald;color:#fff;line-height:falsepx;\" class=\"ls-l ls-text-layer\" data-ls=\"offsetyin:-50sh;durationin:1500;position:relative;\">Tourism Industry<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-2 hundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling fusion-equal-height-columns\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-1 fusion_builder_column_1_6 1_6 fusion-one-sixth fusion-column-first fusion-column-inner-bg-wrapper fusion-column-liftup-border\" style=\"--awb-overflow:hidden;--awb-inner-bg-color:#57714d;--awb-inner-bg-color-hover:#57714d;--awb-inner-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-radius:0px 0px 10px 10px;--awb-liftup-border-radius:0px 0px 10px 10px;width:16.666666666667%;width:calc(16.666666666667% - ( ( 1% + 1% + 1% + 1% + 1% ) * 0.16666666666667 ) );margin-right: 1%;\"><span class=\"fusion-column-inner-bg hover-type-liftup\"><a class=\"fusion-column-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/sustainable-tourism\/#introduction\"><span class=\"fusion-column-inner-bg-image\"><\/span><\/a><\/span><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content-centered\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\"><h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #f5f5f5;\">INTRODUCTION<\/span><\/h5>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-2 fusion_builder_column_1_6 1_6 fusion-one-sixth fusion-column-inner-bg-wrapper fusion-column-liftup-border\" style=\"--awb-overflow:hidden;--awb-inner-bg-color:#57714d;--awb-inner-bg-color-hover:#57714d;--awb-inner-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-radius:0px 0px 10px 10px;--awb-liftup-border-radius:0px 0px 10px 10px;width:16.666666666667%;width:calc(16.666666666667% - ( ( 1% + 1% + 1% + 1% + 1% ) * 0.16666666666667 ) );margin-right: 1%;\"><span class=\"fusion-column-inner-bg hover-type-liftup\"><a class=\"fusion-column-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/sustainable-tourism\/#definingsustainability\"><span class=\"fusion-column-inner-bg-image\"><\/span><\/a><\/span><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content-centered\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2\"><h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #f5f5f5;\">DEFINING SUSTAINABLE TOURISM<\/span><\/h5>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-3 fusion_builder_column_1_6 1_6 fusion-one-sixth fusion-column-inner-bg-wrapper fusion-column-liftup-border\" style=\"--awb-overflow:hidden;--awb-inner-bg-color:#57714d;--awb-inner-bg-color-hover:#57714d;--awb-inner-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-radius:0px 0px 10px 10px;--awb-liftup-border-radius:0px 0px 10px 10px;width:16.666666666667%;width:calc(16.666666666667% - ( ( 1% + 1% + 1% + 1% + 1% ) * 0.16666666666667 ) );margin-right: 1%;\"><span class=\"fusion-column-inner-bg hover-type-liftup\"><a class=\"fusion-column-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/sustainable-tourism\/#opportunitieschallenges\"><span class=\"fusion-column-inner-bg-image\"><\/span><\/a><\/span><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content-centered\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-3\"><h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #f5f5f5;\">OPPORTUNITIES &amp; CHALLENGES<\/span><\/h5>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-4 fusion_builder_column_1_6 1_6 fusion-one-sixth fusion-column-inner-bg-wrapper fusion-column-liftup-border\" style=\"--awb-overflow:hidden;--awb-inner-bg-color:#57714d;--awb-inner-bg-color-hover:#57714d;--awb-inner-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-radius:0px 0px 10px 10px;--awb-liftup-border-radius:0px 0px 10px 10px;width:16.666666666667%;width:calc(16.666666666667% - ( ( 1% + 1% + 1% + 1% + 1% ) * 0.16666666666667 ) );margin-right: 1%;\"><span class=\"fusion-column-inner-bg hover-type-liftup\"><a class=\"fusion-column-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/sustainable-tourism\/#policyrecommendations\"><span class=\"fusion-column-inner-bg-image\"><\/span><\/a><\/span><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content-centered\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-4\"><h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #f5f5f5;\">POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS<\/span><\/h5>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-5 fusion_builder_column_1_6 1_6 fusion-one-sixth fusion-column-inner-bg-wrapper fusion-column-liftup-border\" style=\"--awb-overflow:hidden;--awb-inner-bg-color:#57714d;--awb-inner-bg-color-hover:#57714d;--awb-inner-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-radius:0px 0px 10px 10px;--awb-liftup-border-radius:0px 0px 10px 10px;width:16.666666666667%;width:calc(16.666666666667% - ( ( 1% + 1% + 1% + 1% + 1% ) * 0.16666666666667 ) );margin-right: 1%;\"><span class=\"fusion-column-inner-bg hover-type-liftup\"><a class=\"fusion-column-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/sustainable-tourism\/#casestudies\"><span class=\"fusion-column-inner-bg-image\"><\/span><\/a><\/span><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content-centered\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-5\"><h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #f5f5f5;\">CASE STUDIES<\/span><\/h5>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-6 fusion_builder_column_1_6 1_6 fusion-one-sixth fusion-column-last fusion-column-inner-bg-wrapper fusion-column-liftup-border\" style=\"--awb-overflow:hidden;--awb-inner-bg-color:#57714d;--awb-inner-bg-color-hover:#57714d;--awb-inner-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-radius:0px 0px 10px 10px;--awb-liftup-border-radius:0px 0px 10px 10px;width:16.666666666667%;width:calc(16.666666666667% - ( ( 1% + 1% + 1% + 1% + 1% ) * 0.16666666666667 ) );\"><span class=\"fusion-column-inner-bg hover-type-liftup\"><a class=\"fusion-column-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/sustainable-tourism\/#steeringgroup\"><span class=\"fusion-column-inner-bg-image\"><\/span><\/a><\/span><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content-centered\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-6\"><h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #f5f5f5;\">STEERING GROUP MEMBERS<\/span><\/h5>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-3 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:40px;--awb-padding-bottom:30px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-7 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.7\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-menu-anchor\" id=\"introduction\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-7\"><h1 style=\"text-align: center;\">Introduction<\/h1>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-8\"><p>With Irish tourism&#8217;s volume and value having collapsed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the long road to recovery has only finally commenced. Despite the war in Ukraine, business inflation, and labour shortages, there is a degree of cautious optimism that pent up demand combined with the speedy restoration of much of the air access links and industry resilience can see a positive 2022. As difficult as the pandemic was \u2013 estimated to have cost Irish tourism and hospitality businesses as much as \u20ac12.2 billion \u2013 it also presents an opportunity to reimagine Irish tourism for the years ahead. In that context being a sustainable industry is of most concern, and sustainability across the three spheres of commercial, social and environmental is what matters.<\/p>\n<p>This key report by the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC), the representative body for all key tourism and hospitality stakeholders in the country, is the first staging post on an ongoing journey in search of a sustainable tourism industry. The report &#8211; put together with the able assistance of an industry steering group and approved by ITIC&#8217;s Board and Council \u2013 sets out a strategic roadmap whereby the sector can enjoy a sustainable future, one where businesses can be viable and profitable, communities are benefitted, and the existential environmental challenges are addressed head-on. Critically all three areas of sustainability \u2013 economic, social and environmental \u2013 need to co-exist. The economic benefits of tourism must be preserved for industry and the exchequer whilst minimizing the sector\u2019s carbon footprint and ensuring social cohesion.<\/p>\n<p>Ireland&#8217;s tourism industry is up for this considerable challenge as this report articulates.<\/p>\n<p>The report sets out 26 key policy recommendations which will need to be implemented to enable industry become more sustainable. Critically, and for the benefit of both people and planet, the Irish tourism sector will need to address the environmental sustainability agenda and ITIC, on behalf of the country\u2019s tourism industry, make a commitment that Ireland\u2019s tourism industry will play its full role in Ireland\u2019s obligations. And those obligations \u2013 as set out in the Climate Action Plan 2021 \u2013 are demanding with a 51% reduction in green house gases (GHG) by 2030 and carbon-neutral by 2050. Achieving such reductions in carbon whilst regrowing an industry will be extraordinarily challenging.<\/p>\n<p>This report outlines opportunities and challenges as Irish tourism aims to become more sustainable. Many businesses within the sector are already well on the journey with a number of case studies outlined below.<\/p>\n<p>The Irish Government is set to publish a new national tourism policy early next year with sustainability at its heart. This report by ITIC aims to state the industry\u2019s viewpoint clearly to help Government put in place a national policy that is aligned with businesses, and one that can overcome challenges and maximise any opportunities.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-0 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_2 1_2 fusion-one-half fusion-column-first fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:30px;--awb-padding-right:30px;--awb-padding-bottom:30px;--awb-padding-left:30px;--awb-bg-size:cover;width:50%;width:calc(50% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.5 ) );margin-right: 4%;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInLeft\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-1 hover-type-none\" style=\"border:20px solid #afca98;border-radius:50%;\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"280\" height=\"280\" alt=\"Ruth Andrews, Chairperson, ITIC\" title=\"Ruth Andrews, Chairperson, ITIC\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Ruth-Andrews-ITIC-280.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-51\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Ruth-Andrews-ITIC-280-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Ruth-Andrews-ITIC-280.jpg 280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 280px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:20px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-2 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"337\" height=\"100\" title=\"Ruth Andrews\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/sig-RA.png\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-206\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/sig-RA-200x59.png 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/sig-RA.png 337w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 337px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-9\"><h5 style=\"text-align: center;\">Chairperson<br \/>\nRuth Andrews<\/h5>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-1 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_2 1_2 fusion-one-half fusion-column-last fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:30px;--awb-padding-right:30px;--awb-padding-bottom:30px;--awb-padding-left:30px;--awb-bg-size:cover;width:50%;width:calc(50% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.5 ) );\" data-animationType=\"fadeInRight\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-3 hover-type-none\" style=\"border:20px solid #afca98;border-radius:50%;\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"280\" height=\"280\" alt=\"Eoghan O&#039;Mara Walsh, Chief Executive, ITIC\" title=\"Eoghan O&#8217;Mara Walsh, Chief Executive, ITIC\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Eoghan-OMara-Walsh-ITIC-280.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-50\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Eoghan-OMara-Walsh-ITIC-280-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Eoghan-OMara-Walsh-ITIC-280.jpg 280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 280px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:20px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-4 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"337\" height=\"100\" title=\"Eoghan O&#8217;Mara Walsh\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/sig-EOMW.png\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-207\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/sig-EOMW-200x59.png 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/sig-EOMW.png 337w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 337px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-10\"><h5 style=\"text-align: center;\">CEO<br \/>\nEoghan O&#8217;Mara Walsh<\/h5>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-11 fusion-animated\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.5\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><p><em>ITIC would like to sincerely thank the industry steering group who helped formulate this report and its recommendations, acknowledge the work and assistance of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media as well as F\u00e1ilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, and appreciate the input of the many tourism stakeholders who were consulted in recent weeks. A multitude of sources were used to assist ITIC including the Climate Action Plan (Nov 2021), the Sustainable Tourism Working Group report (Sep 2021), the WTTC\u2019s Net Zero Roadmap for Travel &amp; Tourism (date), as well as Visit Scotland, Tourism New Zealand and Norway\u2019s National Tourism Strategy.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-bg-parallax\" data-bg-align=\"center center\" data-direction=\"up\" data-mute=\"false\" data-opacity=\"100\" data-velocity=\"-0.2\" data-mobile-enabled=\"false\" data-break_parents=\"0\" data-bg-image=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/BG-Clew-Bay-20pc.jpg\" data-bg-repeat=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"#69885d\" ><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-4 fusion-parallax-up nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling fusion-equal-height-columns\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:70px;--awb-padding-bottom:40px;--awb-background-color:#69885d;--awb-background-image:url(&quot;https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/BG-Clew-Bay-20pc.jpg&quot;);--awb-background-size:cover;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-8 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-menu-anchor\" id=\"definingsustainability\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-2 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.5\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content-centered\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-12\"><h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #f7f7f7;\">DEFINING SUSTAINABLE TOURISM<\/span><\/h1>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #f7f7f7;\">\u201cTourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities&#8221;<br \/>\n<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #f7f7f7;\">UN World Tourism Organization<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-5 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling fusion-equal-height-columns\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:70px;--awb-padding-bottom:20px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-9 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.5\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-13\"><h5 style=\"text-align: left;\">For the purposes of this report ITIC has used the UN World Tourism Organization definition of sustainable tourism.<\/h5>\n<p>In 2015 the UN developed a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals in order to frame the UN member states\u2019 agendas and policies up to 2030. Following this in 2018 the Irish Government set out how Ireland intends to implement the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) through development of actions and targets around each goal. It is incumbent upon all Government Agencies and Departments to ensure these actions and targets are adhered to and that each sector contributes to Ireland\u2019s realisation of these goals. Specifically there are four Sustainable Development Goals (8, 12, 14 &amp; 17) that have targets relating to tourism. The most relevant SDG is Goal 12 namely <em>\u201cDevelop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>It is welcome that early next year the Irish Government is set to publish a new national tourism policy and sustainability will be central to this. This ITIC report, and the recommendations within, aim to influence that policy and ensure that Ireland becomes amongst the world leaders in sustainable tourism practices.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-6 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling fusion-equal-height-columns\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:50px;--awb-padding-bottom:20px;--awb-background-color:#57714d;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-10 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.5\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-menu-anchor\" id=\"opportunitieschallenges\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-3 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content-centered\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-14\"><h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #f7f7f7;\">OPPORTUNITIES &amp; CHALLENGES<\/span><\/h1>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #f7f7f7;\">There are both opportunities and challenges within Irish tourism\u2019s journey to a more sustainable future.<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-7 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--link_hover_color: #66a2a3;--link_color: #548687;--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:50px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-11 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-15 fusion-animated\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.5\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><p>Becoming sustainable is simply a &#8220;must do&#8221;. Implementing transformational change will be good for the planet and, if done correctly, also good for businesses&#8217; bottom line as well as supporting the communities within which tourism is embedded. In an Irish tourism context successful implementation of sustainable tourism practices should deliver metrics that will help to establish a better understanding of carbon and financial costs and help mitigate against both. It has long been recognised that collaborative agendas are necessary to ensure that tourism can be a force for sustainable development and Government, the tourism agencies and the tourism industry must commit to working together to ensure that the sustainable tourism agenda is a central part of the thinking for practitioners, policy makers and visitors.<\/p>\n<p>It has been shown that building a sustainable business promotes longevity and more interaction with key stakeholders. Prior to the pandemic there had been a growing realisation among individual tourism operators that sustainable practices were not necessarily a cost. Changing consumer preferences has led to many enterprises taking steps to make their offering more sustainable and generating more business as a result. It is clear that industry needs to continue moving in a sustainable direction \u2013 both because of the benefits to the environment and communities, but also to individual businesses. Over time, sustainability must become the norm rather than the best practice exception.<\/p>\n<p>The challenges though of the sustainability agenda cannot be underestimated. ITIC estimate that Covid-19 cost the industry over \u20ac12 billion and only financial support from Government kept tourism enterprises afloat along with business from the domestic market. That is the context from which Irish tourism is coming from and recovery to pre-pandemic levels will take a number of years. This will put an enormous strain on the commercial sustainability of tourism businesses whilst dealing with a chronic labour shortage and soaring business costs. This is at the very same time that Ireland, through its Climate Action Plan published last year, has committed to reducing its green house gas (GHG) emissions by 51% by 2030 and being carbon neutral by 2050.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:30px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-5 hover-type-none fusion-animated\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.5\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"785\" height=\"600\" title=\"Irish Government Environmental Policy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Govt-Policy-51-PC-NetZero.jpg\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1308\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Govt-Policy-51-PC-NetZero-200x153.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Govt-Policy-51-PC-NetZero-400x306.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Govt-Policy-51-PC-NetZero-600x459.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Govt-Policy-51-PC-NetZero.jpg 785w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 785px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:30px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-16\"><p>The Just Transition Fund, that is part of the Climate Action Plan, represents an opportunity for Irish tourism enterprises to draw down badly needed investment that will enable more carbon-friendly business practices. The fund is estimated to be \u20ac9.5 billion by 2030 and Irish tourism, similar to other sectors, must be facilitated to access this financial assistance to help with the transition. This would allow businesses to retrofit premises, move to renewable energy sources, and minimise resource use and waste production. The vast majority of Irish tourism and hospitality businesses are indigenous SMEs with modest profit margins. Therefore financial support and incentives will be required to move the industry to a more carbon neutral environment.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-12 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:10px;--awb-padding-right:20px;--awb-padding-left:20px;--awb-overflow:hidden;--awb-bg-color:#548687;--awb-bg-color-hover:#548687;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-radius:15px 15px 15px 15px;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInLeft\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-17\"><h3><span style=\"color: #f7f7f7;\">A note on aviation:<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-13 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-right:20px;--awb-padding-left:20px;--awb-bg-size:cover;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.5\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-18\"><p>Maintaining and growing international air connectivity is of fundamental importance and critical to the future success of tourism in Ireland. 75% of Ireland\u2019s tourism economy is made up of international visitation and as an island nation air and sea access is vital. The Government\u2019s own Climate Action Plan, published last year, refers to action being taken at an EU and international level to address emissions from these sectors and Ireland and its tourism industry will support appropriate measures taken at this supranational level.<\/p>\n<p>ITIC welcomes the commitments of the Aviation industry to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Recognising that new technology aircraft and cleaner fuels will be the key drivers to reach this goal, ITIC strongly supports greater use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) as a key mitigation lever for the decarbonisation of aviation. In addition to mandates currently being considered within the ReFuel EU Directive at European level, there is also a requirement for incentives to significantly increase the production and supply of SAF in Europe.<\/p>\n<p>ITIC welcomes the ongoing investments by Irish Aviation in new technology aircraft which are more fuel and noise efficient and also the commitments made by Irish airlines to powering at least 10% of their flights with Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) by 2030. These commitments can only be achieved with the right policy frameworks at both regional and global levels, with essential support for SAF.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-14 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:10px;--awb-padding-right:20px;--awb-padding-left:20px;--awb-overflow:hidden;--awb-bg-color:#548687;--awb-bg-color-hover:#548687;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-radius:15px 15px 15px 15px;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInLeft\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-19\"><h3><span style=\"color: #f7f7f7;\">A note on a circular Irish tourism off-setting project:<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-15 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-right:20px;--awb-padding-left:20px;--awb-bg-size:cover;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.5\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-20\"><p>To meet the ambitious goal of a reduction by 51% of GHG within just 8 years innovative medium-term solutions will be required. Accredited carbon offset schemes to which businesses and visitors could contribute located on the island of Ireland may have a role to play here. We recognise that our landscape is a key driver for tourism. Offset schemes that reduce GHG emissions, improve biodiversity, engage local communities, and create the potential for employment would have the added benefit of improving the broader tourism product. They could act as an engine of sustainable growth for the tourism sector, particularly in the midlands and west of the country. The state should consider actively developing such schemes, specifically for the sector, given its extensive landholdings through semi-state companies in areas of high amenity and scenic value. In addition a communications strategy targeting domestic and international visitors is required with the aim of creating awareness of actions being taken by the sector to mitigate climate change and biodiversity loss.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-16 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:10px;--awb-padding-right:20px;--awb-padding-left:20px;--awb-overflow:hidden;--awb-bg-color:#548687;--awb-bg-color-hover:#548687;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-radius:15px 15px 15px 15px;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInLeft\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-21\"><h3><span style=\"color: #f7f7f7;\">A note on sustainable tourism certification \u2013 why do it?<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-17 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-right:20px;--awb-padding-left:20px;--awb-bg-size:cover;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.5\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-22\"><p>Sustainable tourism certifications, which are guided by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unwto.org\/sustainable-development#:~:text=%22Tourism%20that%20takes%20full%20account,the%20environment%20and%20host%20communities%22\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>UNWTO definition of sustainable tourism<\/strong><\/a>, are a crucial tool in the efforts of the Irish tourism industry to evolve into a truly good force in Irish society &#8211; environmentally, socially and economically.<\/p>\n<p>Sustainable tourism certifications enable tourism organisations to understand what they are doing right and can also help them identify key areas of sustainability management where they are weaker. Certifications require that policies are put in place, check if they have been implemented, and measure the impact of those policies. They enable in-depth analysis of process and practice.<\/p>\n<p>Credible sustainable tourism certifications, which use independent auditors, help tourism businesses and organisations to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Establish best practice systems for measuring and managing impacts (positive and negative) on both the community where they are based and the environment (energy, waste, food waste, water etc).<\/li>\n<li>Map out a clear plan for businesses to make step-by-step changes to lessen their impacts and to continuously improve.<\/li>\n<li>Understand and avoid greenwashing &#8211; either intentional or unintentional.<\/li>\n<li>Communicate and market their credible sustainability credentials to customers, the local community and all stakeholders a visible and verifiable way.<\/li>\n<li>Gain a competitive edge and improve the positive reputation of a business\/organisation\/destination as customers (both B2B and B2C), stakeholders and government bodies are increasingly demanding sustainability credentials.<\/li>\n<li>Save money and resources but implementing systems and process that promote efficiency.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hbr.org\/2016\/10\/the-comprehensive-business-case-for-sustainability\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Growing evidence<\/strong><\/a> shows that sustainable companies, or those with good Environmental Social Governance (ESG) and certification, deliver better financial performance, and investors now value them more highly.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-8 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling fusion-equal-height-columns\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:50px;--awb-padding-bottom:20px;--awb-background-color:#57714d;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-18 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-menu-anchor\" id=\"policyrecommendations\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-4 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.5\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content-centered\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-23\"><h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #f7f7f7;\">POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-9 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:50px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-19 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-24 fusion-animated\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.5\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><p>The following policy recommendations form part of this report. ITIC looks forward to resuming its role within the Departmental Sustainable Tourism Working Group, and industry working with government and tourism agencies will continue to collaborate in this area.\u00a0 The recommendations below are based on the three pillars of sustainability, namely economic, social and environmental. These will be reviewed on an annual basis based on the pace and shape of tourism&#8217;s recovery.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-6 hover-type-none fusion-animated\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.5\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"885\" height=\"640\" title=\"Sustainability &#8211; Environmental, Social, Economic\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Sustainability-Environmental-Social-Economic.jpg\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1396\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Sustainability-Environmental-Social-Economic-200x145.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Sustainability-Environmental-Social-Economic-400x289.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Sustainability-Environmental-Social-Economic-600x434.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Sustainability-Environmental-Social-Economic-800x579.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Sustainability-Environmental-Social-Economic.jpg 885w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 885px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-20 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:10px;--awb-padding-right:20px;--awb-padding-left:20px;--awb-overflow:hidden;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-radius:15px 15px 15px 15px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:15px;margin-bottom:15px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-21 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:10px;--awb-padding-right:20px;--awb-padding-left:20px;--awb-overflow:hidden;--awb-bg-color:#66845a;--awb-bg-color-hover:#66845a;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-radius:15px 15px 15px 15px;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInLeft\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-25\"><h3><span style=\"color: #f7f7f7;\">A more economically sustainable tourism industry<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-22 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-right:20px;--awb-padding-left:20px;--awb-bg-size:cover;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.5\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-26\"><h5>Pro business policies from Government to enable tourism sector to thrive<\/h5>\n<p>The vast majority of tourism and hospitality businesses are SMEs and profit margins are modest due to the often seasonal aspect of tourism and the labour-intensive nature of the sector. Government must do all within its power to pursue pro-enterprise and pro-competitive policies. Connectivity links \u2013 air and sea \u2013 are particularly important for tourism to an island such as Ireland and to this end Government must be mindful of the critical importance of air and sea ports and carriers.<\/p>\n<h5>Support the competitiveness of Irish tourism<\/h5>\n<p>Commercial viability is critical for enterprises and the soaring costs of business risk impeding recovery. Energy costs, insurance hikes and labour increases are all hurting business and government must work to suppress inflation. Government must accelerate insurance reform and the Vat hike scheduled for September 1st must be deferred until recovery has taken hold. The current Vat rate is comparable to the rest of the EU and for competitive and inflationary reasons should be left unchanged.<\/p>\n<h5>Maintain tourism investment at current levels<\/h5>\n<p>It is welcome that tourism investment increased in the last budget as business continuity grants and much needed increased overseas marketing funding was put in place. It is vital that such funding remains to allow agencies to invest in key sustainable tourism initiatives for industry. Investment in overseas marketing will also need to be retained at current levels so that Ireland maintains global awareness as a holiday destination.<\/p>\n<h5>Staff retention and recruitment incentive<\/h5>\n<p>Staffing issues and a labour-supply shortage are a significant barrier to recovery for Irish tourism and measures must be put in place to assist the commercial viability of industry. F\u00e1ilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority, in February 2022 estimated that there were 40,000 vacancies within tourism and hospitality. With Ireland at near full employment these vacancies are likely to only be filled by EU residents or non-EU nationals. In that context agencies should assist industry in recruitment roadshows overseas and work permits must be fast-tracked. It is incumbent on industry to make the tourism and hospitality sector as attractive as possible for new entrants and ensure that current employees see a rewarding career path.<\/p>\n<h5>Ireland and EU to be leaders in Sustainable Aviation Fuel &#8211; Fit for 55 and the Refuel EU directive<\/h5>\n<p>The majority of the current SAF supplies (albeit limited) are produced in the US where there are tax credits and incentive mechanisms in place to drive production. In addition to the proposed mandates within the draft Refuel EU directive, there is also a requirement for financial incentives to significantly increase the production and supply of SAF in Europe and potentially in Ireland in order to accelerate the pace of aviation decarbonization.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-23 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:10px;--awb-padding-right:20px;--awb-padding-left:20px;--awb-overflow:hidden;--awb-bg-color:#66845a;--awb-bg-color-hover:#66845a;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-radius:15px 15px 15px 15px;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInLeft\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-27\"><h3><span style=\"color: #f7f7f7;\">A more socially sustainable tourism industry<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-24 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-right:20px;--awb-padding-left:20px;--awb-bg-size:cover;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.5\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-28\"><h5>Make tourism in Ireland inclusive and available for all<\/h5>\n<p>Support the development of inclusive tourism in Ireland, which aims to create products and destinations where everyone feels welcome. Funding and grants should be made available to historic tourism buildings to allow for accessibility and all new capital development projects should have social sustainability at their core.<\/p>\n<h5>Make sustainability key part of curriculum within every tourism and hospitality education course<\/h5>\n<p>There are multiple tourism and hospitality courses available across the whole education spectrum. These are vital to give students the necessary skill-set to pursue a career in tourism. With 40,000 vacancies currently within the tourism industry (ref: F\u00e1ilte Ireland research, February 2022) it is evident that people must be attracted to the sector and education plays a key role in this. Within that context ITIC recommends that every tourism and hospitality course across the education sector has sustainability embedded within the curriculum. This will mean that future tourism workers become ambassadors for sustainability both within their own businesses and to all visitors. Likewise all current employees within tourism should be provided with training on the importance of the sustainability agenda as part of upskilling and CPD programmes.<\/p>\n<h5>Tourism as a long-term career choice<\/h5>\n<p>Pre-pandemic the tourism sector employed 1 in 10 people and in tourism \u2018hotspots\u2019 such as Killarney this grew to 1 in 7 jobs. It is critical that these jobs become long-standing careers if possible and staff attrition (a worldwide phenomenon) is reduced. Initiatives should be supported to improve the quality of jobs across the tourism and hospitality sector, ensure career progression, and make the sector as attractive as possible to new recruits. Along with the work of F\u00e1ilte Ireland, the Department of Further and Higher Education must take a more proactive role in positioning tourism as a career of choice supporting the development and redesign of tourism education programmes and ensuring the co-ordination of course content at national level.<\/p>\n<h5>Strengthen tourism&#8217;s role within communities<\/h5>\n<p>F\u00e1ilte Ireland must be supported with its ongoing engagement with local authorities, brand destination liaison groups, and their regional account management teams to have a strong communication strategy in place to ensure local populations understand the economic and social value of tourism.<\/p>\n<h5>Enhance and improve research data relating to visitors and residents<\/h5>\n<p>Irish tourism recovery efforts are being undermined by the fact that the CSO have not resumed their data collection of tourists and ITIC urge this to be addressed as soon as possible. Alongside the reinstatement of reporting new forms of research and data collection need to be made available to Ireland\u2019s tourism industry including from the banking and telecoms providers. Such data can be anonymised and reported on in real time and can give strong feedback to industry and policymakers as to visitor behaviour, spend, regional location and other valuable insights. F\u00e1ilte Ireland should be supported in their efforts in this area and should be resourced appropriately.<\/p>\n<h5>Improve regional and seasonal penetration of tourism to benefit communities and provide employment<\/h5>\n<p>The regional spread of tourism across all regions is very important for sustainability purposes and all efforts should be supported to ensure that visitor volume and value is spread as equitably as possible. Positive efforts and trends were apparent pre-pandemic. New products and visitor experiences in less visited parts of Ireland should be developed, funded and promoted. Events, activities and festivals have the ability to stretch the season beyond the busy summer months.<\/p>\n<h5>Relaunch Tourism Day with purpose of educating domestic and international visitors on sustainability<\/h5>\n<p>Tourism Day was an event organised by ITIC scheduled for April 2019 that had to be cancelled due to the emergence of the pandemic. It was a day when tourism would be celebrated and tourism products and businesses would give special offers and free admissions to the public. ITIC recommend that this initiative recommence with a focus on both celebrating the tourism industry and its employees, whilst at the same time educating visitors on sustainability.<\/p>\n<h5>Explore concepts of sustainability pledge for visitors to Ireland<\/h5>\n<p>This concept is under consideration as an action within the Department of Tourism\u2019s Sustainable Tourism Working Group. This initiative should be explored and assessed to see if such a pledge has merit.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-25 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:10px;--awb-padding-right:20px;--awb-padding-left:20px;--awb-overflow:hidden;--awb-bg-color:#66845a;--awb-bg-color-hover:#66845a;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-radius:15px 15px 15px 15px;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInLeft\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-29\"><h3><span style=\"color: #f7f7f7;\">A more environmentally sustainable tourism industry<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-26 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-right:20px;--awb-padding-left:20px;--awb-bg-size:cover;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.5\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-30\"><h5>Set baseline and emission targets now to achieve individual and 2030 &amp; 2050 sector goals<\/h5>\n<p>Irish tourism\u2019s carbon footprint needs to be established so progress on reducing it can be monitored on an annual basis. Only when a true and accurate reflection of the green house gas emissions caused by Irish tourism is determined, can an appropriate target be set for both 2030 and 2050. Evidence-based analysis needs to be applied in an Irish context to commence a process to establish a benchmark CO2 value for Irish Tourism.<\/p>\n<h5>Monitor &amp; report progress<\/h5>\n<p>Once baseline and emission targets for Irish tourism are established, they need to be monitored and reported on an annual audit basis so industry knows if it is on track or behind schedule. In the case of the latter, the audit needs to determine which sector or area within tourism and hospitality is facing challenges in reducing its carbon footprint and allow industry to respond.<\/p>\n<h5>Provide finance and investment to industry for the transition<\/h5>\n<p>The Government\u2019s Climate Action Plan published last year sets demanding targets of a 51% reduction in GHG by 2030 and net zero by 2050. A Just Transition Fund is part of the Climate Action Plan and is estimated at collecting \u20ac9.5 billion by 2030 through the carbon levy. Ireland&#8217;s tourism and hospitality industry, like other sectors, must be facilitated to avail of this scheme to help businesses move to more climate friendly model. Equally a representative of the tourism industry should be part of the Just Transition Commission. With margins modest within the sector tourism and hospitality businesses throughout the country will need financial support for retrofitting, using green energy, managing waste and the like. Incentive and capex schemes need to be designed industry to stimulate transformational change.<\/p>\n<h5>Roll out carbon calculator for businesses<\/h5>\n<p>Work in this area is at an advanced stage and F\u00e1ilte Ireland is set to roll out a carbon calculator for businesses this summer. This is an important aspect of monitoring and setting metrics. ITIC welcomes the initiative and urge as many businesses as possible to adopt it. The carbon calculator needs to be user-friendly so as to encourage business buy-in.<\/p>\n<h5>Roll out Climate Action toolkit for industry<\/h5>\n<p>Similarly F\u00e1ilte Ireland are set to publish a Climate Action toolkit for the tourism and hospitality industry and this is very welcome as it should help guide business-owners and help them mitigate their carbon footprint.<\/p>\n<h5>Develop an off-setting project of scale in Ireland \u2013 circular tourism sustainability model<\/h5>\n<p>To meet the ambitious and necessary goals of carbon reduction, innovative medium-term solutions will be required. Accredited carbon offset schemes to which businesses and visitors could contribute located on the island of Ireland may have a role to play here. Offset schemes that reduce GHG emissions, improve biodiversity, engage local communities, and create the potential for employment would have the added benefit of improving the broader tourism product. The state should consider actively developing such schemes, specifically for the sector, given its extensive landholdings through semi-state companies in areas of high amenity and scenic value. This would complement the Government &#8216;Circular Economy Strategy&#8217; which was launched late last year.<\/p>\n<h5>Create ecotourism visitor experience of scale<\/h5>\n<p>Irish tourism would benefit from the development of a world-class visitor eco-tourism experience of scale and international appeal. This would have the dual benefits of educating tourists whilst also, if interpreted correctly, providing an enjoyable experiential visit. Ireland\u2019s Midlands would seem an appropriate location, with its peat and boglands terrain, and is easily accessible from all parts of the island. Capital funding should be allocated to such a project, following a feasibility study and subject to a robust business plan. An ecotourism visitor experience has the added benefit of employment and economic activity for the local community.<\/p>\n<h5>Simplify planning to allow for expedited energy efficiency developments<\/h5>\n<p>Energy efficiency developments such as wind or solar can be held up by planning objections. In certain cases these should be expedited and fast-tracked to ensure that businesses can benefit themselves and the planet from clean energy. Without such improvements to the planning process, the ability of industry to meet its targets will be potentially compromised.<\/p>\n<h5>Mass roll out of electric charging points aimed to reduce carbon emissions, air pollution, and congestion<\/h5>\n<p>Transport within Ireland is currently a significant cause of carbon emissions and needs to be electrified at a much quicker pace but is dependent on national infrastructure. This is very relevant to Ireland\u2019s tourism industry where visitors often enjoy an Irish experience as part of a coach tour or through the hire of private vehicle. There are circa 2,000 charging points currently in Ireland but it is estimated that Ireland will need close to 30,000 if the goals of decarbonising the transport system are to be met. Ireland, with a state-owned energy supplier in the ESB, can and should roll out significantly more charging points to allow visitors enjoy their Irish tourism experience by electric vehicle.<\/p>\n<h5>Incentivise businesses to apply for environmental accreditation<\/h5>\n<p>Sustainable tourism certifications, which are guided by the <em>UNWTO definition of sustainable tourism<\/em>, are a crucial tool in the efforts of the Irish tourism industry to evolve into a truly good force in Irish society \u2013 environmentally, socially and economically. They also by definition reduce the danger of \u2018greenwashing\u2019 where companies can convey a false impression of their sustainability credentials.<\/p>\n<p>Government and agencies must play a leading role in encouraging and incentivising the industry to be more sustainable and certification is central to this. Grants should be made available to businesses to help them get certified which in time could become as important a trading pre-requisite as any other requirement for tourism registration.<\/p>\n<h5>Ireland to sign up to Glasgow Declaration<\/h5>\n<p>Ireland should formally adopt the Glasgow Declaration, which was initiated at COP 26, and calls for an increased urgency about the need to accelerate climate action in tourism and to secure strong actions and commitment to support the global goals to halve emissions over the next decade and reach Net Zero emissions as soon as possible before 2050.<\/p>\n<h5>Protect &amp; enhance Ireland\u2019s natural and cultural heritage and biodiversity<\/h5>\n<p>Ireland\u2019s natural and cultural heritage as well as its biodiversity is a key demand-driver for visitors across all regions. These should be supported at all times and consideration must be given to carrying capacity of certain regions and attractions to reduce negative impacts.<\/p>\n<h5>An industry representative on Reducing Food Waste Prevention taskforce<\/h5>\n<p>Food waste is a significant cost for the Irish tourism and hospitality industry as well as having a detrimental environmental impact. The Department of Environment, Climate and Communications is set to shortly publish a a National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap. This is to include a taskforce to monitor and review periodically and assess the impact of national food waste prevention measures. This taskforce is due to comprise of key sectors and organisations and it is vital that the tourism and hospitality industry is represented.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-10 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling fusion-equal-height-columns\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:50px;--awb-padding-bottom:20px;--awb-background-color:#57714d;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-27 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-menu-anchor\" id=\"casestudies\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-5 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.5\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content-centered\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-31\"><h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #f7f7f7;\">CASE STUDIES<\/span><\/h1>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #f7f7f7;\">The Irish tourism industry is already doing excellent work within the environmental sustainability field.<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-11 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:50px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-28 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:20px;--awb-padding-right:20px;--awb-padding-bottom:20px;--awb-padding-left:20px;--awb-bg-position:center bottom;--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:15px;margin-bottom:15px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-29 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:30px;--awb-padding-right:30px;--awb-padding-bottom:20px;--awb-padding-left:30px;--awb-overflow:hidden;--awb-bg-color:#bcdbf0;--awb-bg-color-hover:#bcdbf0;--awb-bg-image:url(&#039;https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/BG-IBRA-CaseStudy-.jpg&#039;);--awb-bg-position:center bottom;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-radius:25px 25px 25px 25px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy fusion-column-has-bg-image\" data-bg-url=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/BG-IBRA-CaseStudy-.jpg\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-6 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-one-third fusion-column-first\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:10px;--awb-padding-right:10px;--awb-padding-left:10px;--awb-bg-size:cover;width:33.333333333333%;width:calc(33.333333333333% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.33333333333333 ) );margin-right: 4%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-dropshadow imageframe-7 hover-type-none fusion-animated\" style=\"border:20px solid #0070bc;border-radius:50%;-webkit-box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px rgba(196,196,196,0.3);box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px rgba(196,196,196,0.3);\" data-animationType=\"fadeInLeft\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" title=\"Irish Boat Rental Association\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Logo-IBRA-x400sq.png\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1113\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Logo-IBRA-x400sq-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Logo-IBRA-x400sq.png 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-7 fusion_builder_column_inner_2_3 2_3 fusion-two-third fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;width:66.666666666667%;width:calc(66.666666666667% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.66666666666667 ) );\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-32 fusion-animated\" data-animationType=\"fadeInRight\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><h4 style=\"text-align: left;\">Irish Boat Rental Association<\/h4>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-33 fusion-animated\" data-animationType=\"fadeInRight\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><p>\u201cIn preparing a Climate Action Plan for the Irish Boat Rental Association, we have thought deeply about how best to celebrate the navigable waterways Ireland\u2019s Hidden Heartlands, with its focus on rural communities, slow tourism, and \u2018off the beaten track\u2019 opportunities for adventure and relaxation, with new sustainable tourism products to align with regional strategies.<\/p>\n<p>In our Climate Action Plan, we are not only working towards the decarbonisation of the product but also towards sustainable and thoughtful new product development. The proposed development of the Shannon Region will make it into a major ecotourism destination, one of the largest in Europe.<\/p>\n<p>In the short-term, we need to examine the current fleet of rental boats to assess retro-fitting options that will enable us to reach 2030 targets; in the longer term, we feel research and technology advances will play a huge part in renewable power and green energy production. We are hoping to collaborate with the Technical University of the Shannon not only in tourism development but also the technical aspects such as methods of propulsion, and battery and electronic application. We will also need to look at how to reduce emissions at our marinas and buildings.<\/p>\n<p>Energy is only one aspect; there are tremendous opportunities for us to support local biodiversity. Boating on inland waterways enables the visitor to access places they wouldn\u2019t otherwise see, and I would love to see tranquillity moorings, dark sky regions, kayaking and cycling, and carefully developed angling and ornithology tourism experiences. Working with stakeholders on the inland waterways, I can see a future sustainable tourism product that enhances the natural aspects &#8211; carefully designed, used with care, and opening up great new things for visitors.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-8 hover-type-none fusion-animated\" style=\"border:20px solid #0070bc;border-radius:50%;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" title=\"Stephen Conlon &#8211; Executive Secretary, Irish Boat Rental Association\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Steve-Conlon-400sq-300x300.jpg\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1059\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Steve-Conlon-400sq-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Steve-Conlon-400sq.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-34 fusion-animated\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #f7f7f7;\">Stephen Conlon<\/span><\/h5>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #f7f7f7;\">Executive Secretary, Irish Boat Rental Association<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-30 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:20px;--awb-padding-right:20px;--awb-padding-bottom:20px;--awb-padding-left:20px;--awb-bg-position:center bottom;--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:15px;margin-bottom:15px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-31 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:30px;--awb-padding-right:30px;--awb-padding-bottom:20px;--awb-padding-left:30px;--awb-overflow:hidden;--awb-bg-color:#bad7da;--awb-bg-color-hover:#bad7da;--awb-bg-image:url(&#039;https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/BG-Airfield.jpg&#039;);--awb-bg-position:center bottom;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-radius:25px 25px 25px 25px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy fusion-column-has-bg-image\" data-bg-url=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/BG-Airfield.jpg\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-8 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-one-third fusion-column-first fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:10px;--awb-padding-right:10px;--awb-padding-left:10px;--awb-bg-size:cover;width:33.333333333333%;width:calc(33.333333333333% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.33333333333333 ) );margin-right: 4%;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInLeft\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-dropshadow imageframe-9 hover-type-none\" style=\"border:20px solid #54a5ac;border-radius:50%;-webkit-box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px rgba(196,196,196,0.3);box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px rgba(196,196,196,0.3);\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" title=\"Airfield Estate\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LOGO-Airfield-Estate-400sq.png\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1148\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LOGO-Airfield-Estate-400sq-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LOGO-Airfield-Estate-400sq.png 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-9 fusion_builder_column_inner_2_3 2_3 fusion-two-third fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;width:66.666666666667%;width:calc(66.666666666667% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.66666666666667 ) );\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-35 fusion-animated\" data-animationType=\"fadeInRight\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><h4 style=\"text-align: left;\">Airfield Estate<\/h4>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-36 fusion-animated\" data-animationType=\"fadeInRight\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><p>\u201cAirfield is an urban farm of 38 acres, located within a stone\u2019s throw of Dundrum Shopping Centre, and its surprising location means we can bring our passion for sustainable, local, seasonal food to city dwellers.<\/p>\n<p>Most aspects of our food system on the estate are truly circular \u2013 planted or raised on our grounds, prepared in our restaurant, and composted on the estate. We abide by \u2018GLAS\u2019 principles \u2013 Good soil and nutrition; buying Locally and seasonally; Avoiding food waste; and having Sustainable food systems. We understand we are in a fairly unique position, with the scale of our estate, but there are so many opportunities for food businesses to choose one or more sustainable food goals to work towards, and in doing so, contribute to an improved food landscape for the wider sector.<\/p>\n<p>Some people describe Airfield as \u2018a hidden gem\u2019, but we are keen to reach out beyond \u2018the hidden\u2019 and beyond our immediate community and pass holders. Education is key to appreciating food and its provenance, and we use a visit to Airfield to engage the public and get them to know their food through meeting our guides, attending courses and signage throughout the estate. and we also have a number of programmes to support this. \u2018Farmer time\u2019 matches a farmer to a school: we have set up zoom chats, information exchange, and the children as future consumers begin to develop and tangible connection with their food. We offer a Junior Cycle short course on food sustainability, and we have for several years now worked with TU Dublin \u2013 with one of the more novel partnerships being the BA in Botanical Cuisine, where student chefs grow their own food in their own allotment on the Estate.<\/p>\n<p>I believe that 18-35 year olds are more and more making considered and ethical choices regarding food, and will increasingly seek out businesses that have recognised accreditation for their sustainable practices. They are acutely aware of food miles and provenance, food poverty, and initiatives to reduce food waste such as Too Good to Go.<\/p>\n<p>Education, consumer choice, and observing sustainable food principles will be key, and there are huge opportunities to capitalise on Ireland\u2019s already excellent food credentials, by taking bold, purposeful and thoughtful steps to create an appealing and responsible food experience to visitors.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-10 hover-type-none fusion-animated\" style=\"border:20px solid #54a5ac;border-radius:50%;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" title=\"Claire MacEvilly &#8211; CEO, Airfield Estate\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Claire-MacEvilly-400sq-300x300.jpg\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1067\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Claire-MacEvilly-400sq-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Claire-MacEvilly-400sq.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-37 fusion-animated\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #f7f7f7;\">Claire MacEvilly<\/span><\/h5>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #f7f7f7;\">CEO, Airfield Estate<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-32 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:20px;--awb-padding-right:20px;--awb-padding-bottom:20px;--awb-padding-left:20px;--awb-bg-position:center bottom;--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:15px;margin-bottom:15px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-33 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:30px;--awb-padding-right:30px;--awb-padding-bottom:20px;--awb-padding-left:30px;--awb-overflow:hidden;--awb-bg-color:#bad7da;--awb-bg-color-hover:#bad7da;--awb-bg-image:url(&#039;https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/BG-Dublinia-CaseStudy-.jpg&#039;);--awb-bg-position:center bottom;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-radius:25px 25px 25px 25px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy fusion-column-has-bg-image\" data-bg-url=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/BG-Dublinia-CaseStudy-.jpg\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-10 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-one-third fusion-column-first fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:10px;--awb-padding-right:10px;--awb-padding-left:10px;--awb-bg-size:cover;width:33.333333333333%;width:calc(33.333333333333% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.33333333333333 ) );margin-right: 4%;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInLeft\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-dropshadow imageframe-11 hover-type-none\" style=\"border:20px solid #004c6f;border-radius:50%;-webkit-box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px rgba(196,196,196,0.3);box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px rgba(196,196,196,0.3);\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" title=\"Dublinia\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LOGO-Dublinia-400sq.png\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1192\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LOGO-Dublinia-400sq-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LOGO-Dublinia-400sq.png 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-11 fusion_builder_column_inner_2_3 2_3 fusion-two-third fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;width:66.666666666667%;width:calc(66.666666666667% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.66666666666667 ) );\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-38 fusion-animated\" data-animationType=\"fadeInRight\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><h4 style=\"text-align: left;\">Dublinia<\/h4>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-39 fusion-animated\" data-animationType=\"fadeInRight\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><p>&#8220;Dublinia, Ireland\u2019s Viking Museum, is located in the heart of old Dublin, in a 19th century heritage building beside Christ Church Cathedral. We welcome almost 200,000 visitors a year, and in our busy urban setting, we knew we would face challenges in achieving climate actions goals. However, we used the lockdown period to look really hard at our business practices, and signed up to a programme to help us become greener.<\/p>\n<p>My first piece of advice to any business starting on the journey to become greener would be to set up a green team, and to empower that team to engage with the wider staff to ensure everybody is on board. Our focus was to reduce our water usage, energy, and waste. It is often said that you cannot manage what you haven\u2019t measured, and our first step was to figure out exactly how much we were using and spending.<\/p>\n<p>One year on, we have substantially reduced the amount of general waste, and our recycling has improved dramatically. We have taken plastics out of our caf\u00e9, and have developed new processes for handling food waste. We have joined up to MODOS, Dublin City Council\u2019s circular economy programme for SMEs. We have taken small steps so far, but already we have embraced the culture and ethos of becoming a greener visitor attraction. We know we will have challenges ahead, but there is a great sense of pride in what we have done already.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-12 hover-type-none fusion-animated\" style=\"border:20px solid #004c6f;border-radius:50%;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" title=\"Gert Lambert &#8211; Duty Manager, Dublinia\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Gert-Lambert-400sq-300x300.jpg\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1195\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Gert-Lambert-400sq-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Gert-Lambert-400sq.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-40 fusion-animated\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #f7f7f7;\">Gert Lambert<\/span><\/h5>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #f7f7f7;\">Duty Manager, Dublinia<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-34 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:20px;--awb-padding-right:20px;--awb-padding-bottom:20px;--awb-padding-left:20px;--awb-bg-position:center bottom;--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:15px;margin-bottom:15px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-35 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:30px;--awb-padding-right:30px;--awb-padding-bottom:20px;--awb-padding-left:30px;--awb-overflow:hidden;--awb-bg-color:#bad7da;--awb-bg-color-hover:#bad7da;--awb-bg-image:url(&#039;https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/BG-Mayo-Co-Co-.jpg&#039;);--awb-bg-position:center bottom;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-radius:25px 25px 25px 25px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy fusion-column-has-bg-image\" data-bg-url=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/BG-Mayo-Co-Co-.jpg\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-12 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-one-third fusion-column-first fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:10px;--awb-padding-right:10px;--awb-padding-left:10px;--awb-bg-size:cover;width:33.333333333333%;width:calc(33.333333333333% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.33333333333333 ) );margin-right: 4%;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInLeft\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-dropshadow imageframe-13 hover-type-none\" style=\"border:20px solid #253842;border-radius:50%;-webkit-box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px rgba(196,196,196,0.3);box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px rgba(196,196,196,0.3);\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" title=\"LOGO-Mayo-CoCo\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LOGO-Mayo-CoCo.png\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1211\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LOGO-Mayo-CoCo-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LOGO-Mayo-CoCo.png 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-13 fusion_builder_column_inner_2_3 2_3 fusion-two-third fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;width:66.666666666667%;width:calc(66.666666666667% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.66666666666667 ) );\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-41 fusion-animated\" data-animationType=\"fadeInRight\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><h4 style=\"text-align: left;\">Mayo County Council<\/h4>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-42 fusion-animated\" data-animationType=\"fadeInRight\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><p>The Mayo County Council Development Plan promotes and facilitates a sustainable and well-managed, year-round, high-quality tourism industry that generates economic benefits to all areas of the county, contributing to the wider tourism industry of the region.<\/p>\n<p>Mayo has outstanding natural assets, and existing recreational attractions. Visitors come to the area to see and experience the beauty, and local communities want to protect that: communities understand that a sustainably managed tourism experience is one that will be a long-time driver of visitors and will also benefit their quality of life. The highly successful Great Western Greenway from Westport to Achill which has been added to with the Turlough Greenway, the cycle network in Castlebar, and the Railwalk route in Westport, is a great example of this.<\/p>\n<p>Mayo is renowned for its unspoilt and richly diverse landscape, and is home to Ballycroy and Nephin National Park, and the Dark Sky Park. The forests, woodlands, lakes, islands, and coastal areas are major natural assets and significant components of the county\u2019s overall tourism offering. However, the economic benefits are largely felt in the towns and villages, and it is here that we have focussed our efforts to address carbon. Mayo County Council asked communities to come together with decarbonising proposals, and there was a high level of interest with terrific engagement and new ideas committing to protecting the environment and decarbonising. In a competitive process, Mulranny became our first Decarbonising Zone, showing tremendous vision and community spirit, but right across Mayo, we see very active local communities who have come together with new initiatives \u2013 biodiversity planting, smarter travel options, conservation of beaches and dunes, for example. Community engagement is extremely powerful, and \u2018local heroes\u2019 can make things happen.<\/p>\n<p>Not only are we creating a more sustainable tourism product for visitors to enjoy, but we are protecting our environment, sustaining employment, creating economic advantages, and developing more holistic futures for our visitors and towns.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-14 hover-type-none fusion-animated\" style=\"border:20px solid #253842;border-radius:50%;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" title=\"Laura Dixon &#8211; Climate Action Officer, Mayo County Council\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Laura-Dixon-400sq-300x300.jpg\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1215\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Laura-Dixon-400sq-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Laura-Dixon-400sq.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-43 fusion-animated\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #253842;\">Laura Dixon<\/span><\/h5>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #253842;\">Climate Action Officer, Mayo County Council<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-36 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:20px;--awb-padding-right:20px;--awb-padding-bottom:20px;--awb-padding-left:20px;--awb-bg-position:center bottom;--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:15px;margin-bottom:15px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-37 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:30px;--awb-padding-right:30px;--awb-padding-bottom:20px;--awb-padding-left:30px;--awb-overflow:hidden;--awb-bg-color:#bad7da;--awb-bg-color-hover:#bad7da;--awb-bg-image:url(&#039;https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/BG-Vagabond-Tours.jpg&#039;);--awb-bg-position:center bottom;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-radius:25px 25px 25px 25px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy fusion-column-has-bg-image\" data-bg-url=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/BG-Vagabond-Tours.jpg\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-14 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-one-third fusion-column-first fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:10px;--awb-padding-right:10px;--awb-padding-left:10px;--awb-bg-size:cover;width:33.333333333333%;width:calc(33.333333333333% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.33333333333333 ) );margin-right: 4%;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInLeft\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-dropshadow imageframe-15 hover-type-none\" style=\"border:20px solid #2f3b12;border-radius:50%;-webkit-box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px rgba(196,196,196,0.3);box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px rgba(196,196,196,0.3);\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" title=\"Vagabond Tours of Ireland\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LOGO-Vagabond-Tours-Ireland-400sq.png\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1221\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LOGO-Vagabond-Tours-Ireland-400sq-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LOGO-Vagabond-Tours-Ireland-400sq.png 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-15 fusion_builder_column_inner_2_3 2_3 fusion-two-third fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;width:66.666666666667%;width:calc(66.666666666667% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.66666666666667 ) );\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-44 fusion-animated\" data-animationType=\"fadeInRight\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><h4 style=\"text-align: left;\">Vagabond Tours of Ireland<\/h4>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-45 fusion-animated\" data-animationType=\"fadeInRight\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><p>Few business sectors rely on the natural environment in the way that tourism does, so it is very much in our interest to preserve the natural world. We believe it is our responsibility to be constantly monitoring our business methods to make sure that our environmental impact is as low as possible.<\/p>\n<p>We want our children (and grandchildren) to be able to enjoy authentic travel experiences into the future. That\u2019s why we\u2019re a certified B Corp. We aim to bring long-term benefits to both our community and our planet.<\/p>\n<p>Responsible tourism plays a big role in what we do and by definition takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities. We are committed to a code of best practice in all aspects of our business, including our relationship with, and effect on the environment and the communities that we visit.<\/p>\n<p>We are Sustainable Travel Ireland \u2013 STI Members<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re always looking for ways to change for the better. That\u2019s why we\u2019re Members of Sustainable Travel Ireland. Our goal is to continue to look for ways to improve the impact of tourism on the environment. We\u2019re acting locally but thinking globally!<\/p>\n<h5>Our Goals<\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>Long-term benefit to our local communities and the planet<\/li>\n<li>Solar power and EV charging point at VagaHQ<\/li>\n<li>Respect Irish nature, wildlife and landscapes via Leave No Trace<\/li>\n<li>Save water, avoid printing and recycle waste at VagaHQ<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5>Our Achievements<\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>Plant 1 native Irish tree per guest to offset emissions<\/li>\n<li>Offsetting our carbon since 2016<\/li>\n<li>Compostable coffee cups for all guests<\/li>\n<li>Continue to listen, learn, innovate and start conversations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-16 hover-type-none fusion-animated\" style=\"border:20px solid #2f3b12;border-radius:50%;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" title=\"Rob Rankin &#8211; Owner\/MD, Vagabond Tours of Ireland\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Rob-Rankin-400sq-300x300.jpg\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1070\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Rob-Rankin-400sq-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Rob-Rankin-400sq.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-46 fusion-animated\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Rob Rankin<\/span><\/h5>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><strong>Owner\/MD, Vagabond Tours of Ireland<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-38 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:20px;--awb-padding-right:20px;--awb-padding-bottom:20px;--awb-padding-left:20px;--awb-bg-position:center bottom;--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:15px;margin-bottom:15px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-39 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:30px;--awb-padding-right:30px;--awb-padding-bottom:20px;--awb-padding-left:30px;--awb-overflow:hidden;--awb-bg-color:#bad7da;--awb-bg-color-hover:#bad7da;--awb-bg-image:url(&#039;https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/BG-Dublin-Liffey.jpg&#039;);--awb-bg-position:center bottom;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-radius:25px 25px 25px 25px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy fusion-column-has-bg-image\" data-bg-url=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/BG-Dublin-Liffey.jpg\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-16 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-one-third fusion-column-first fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:10px;--awb-padding-right:10px;--awb-padding-left:10px;--awb-bg-size:cover;width:33.333333333333%;width:calc(33.333333333333% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.33333333333333 ) );margin-right: 4%;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInLeft\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-dropshadow imageframe-17 hover-type-none\" style=\"border:20px solid #003782;border-radius:50%;-webkit-box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px rgba(196,196,196,0.3);box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px rgba(196,196,196,0.3);\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" title=\"Logo-IHF-x400sq\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Logo-IHF-x400sq-300x300.jpg\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1265\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Logo-IHF-x400sq-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Logo-IHF-x400sq.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-17 fusion_builder_column_inner_2_3 2_3 fusion-two-third fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;width:66.666666666667%;width:calc(66.666666666667% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.66666666666667 ) );\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-47 fusion-animated\" data-animationType=\"fadeInRight\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><h4 style=\"text-align: left;\">Irish Hotels Federation<\/h4>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-48 fusion-animated\" data-animationType=\"fadeInRight\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><p>\u201cThe IHF Sustainability Working Group was set up to look at ways of improving practices to support F\u00e1ilte Ireland\u2019s sustainability agenda.<\/p>\n<p>We have identified a number of critical actions, and this is a time of great collaboration and progress with a genuine momentum building up in our sector. Many hotels and guesthouses have made substantial progress, and this will enable IHF Green to help more members implement practices of excellence.<\/p>\n<p>The key actions we are seeking to achieve include sustainable training and education for the sector; reviewing grants, including their caps and the ease with which they can be availed; energy auditing; waste action; food waste prevention; engaging with F\u00e1ilte Ireland on its new Carbon Calculator and Climate Action Toolkit; and having a number of hotels pilot and test these new important initiatives.<\/p>\n<p>The IHF, along with the Restaurant Association of Ireland (RAI), participated in a review of the Circular Economy Advisory Group on a \u2018Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy.\u2019 This goes beyond single use plastics and food waste, and considers initiatives to include green procurement, end-of-life items, and smart design, creating opportunities for research and innovation.<\/p>\n<p>As a sector, we want to not only meet our legal targets, but to position Ireland to take full advantage of opportunities to build a more sustainable tourism future. I am optimistic we can achieve our goals with the many sustainable actions, and a collaborative approach by all involved. It makes good sense, and I can feel it on the ground \u2013 from foundations set over 15 years ago \u2013 that we are going in the right direction to reduce tourism\u2019s carbon footprint and become net zero, maybe even net positive, by 2050.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-18 hover-type-none fusion-animated\" style=\"border:20px solid #003782;border-radius:50%;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" title=\"Michael Lennon &#8211; Director, Westport Woods Hotel\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Michael-Lennon_400sq-300x300.jpg\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1240\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Michael-Lennon_400sq-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Michael-Lennon_400sq.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-49 fusion-animated\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Michael Lennon<\/span><\/h5>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Irish Hotels Federation Sustainability Working Group<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-40 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:20px;--awb-padding-right:20px;--awb-padding-bottom:20px;--awb-padding-left:20px;--awb-bg-position:center bottom;--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:15px;margin-bottom:15px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-41 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:30px;--awb-padding-right:30px;--awb-padding-bottom:20px;--awb-padding-left:30px;--awb-overflow:hidden;--awb-bg-color:#bad7da;--awb-bg-color-hover:#bad7da;--awb-bg-image:url(&#039;https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/BG-Ballygarry-Hotel.jpg&#039;);--awb-bg-position:center bottom;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-radius:25px 25px 25px 25px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy fusion-column-has-bg-image\" data-bg-url=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/BG-Ballygarry-Hotel.jpg\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-18 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-one-third fusion-column-first fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:10px;--awb-padding-right:10px;--awb-padding-left:10px;--awb-bg-size:cover;width:33.333333333333%;width:calc(33.333333333333% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.33333333333333 ) );margin-right: 4%;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInLeft\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-dropshadow imageframe-19 hover-type-none\" style=\"border:20px solid #2f3b12;border-radius:50%;-webkit-box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px rgba(196,196,196,0.3);box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px rgba(196,196,196,0.3);\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" title=\"LOGO-Ballygarry-Estate-Hotel\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LOGO-Ballygarry-Estate-Hotel.png\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1228\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LOGO-Ballygarry-Estate-Hotel-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LOGO-Ballygarry-Estate-Hotel.png 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-19 fusion_builder_column_inner_2_3 2_3 fusion-two-third fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;width:66.666666666667%;width:calc(66.666666666667% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.66666666666667 ) );\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-50 fusion-animated\" data-animationType=\"fadeInRight\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><h4 style=\"text-align: left;\">Ballygarry Estate Hotel<\/h4>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-51 fusion-animated\" data-animationType=\"fadeInRight\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><p>\u201cWe are a third-generation family-owned business, located in North Kerry, at the gateway to the Dingle Peninsula. We have always taken the small steps \u2013 recycling, cutting down on waste \u2013 but in the last five years, we have taken the strategic decision to incorporate sustainability into our core values and really address the impact our business is having on the planet.<\/p>\n<p>We see sustainability in a two-pronged approach. There is both the traditional green sustainability agenda, such as the hotel outputs like carbon and waste, but also in terms of the long-term development of the hotel, its team and its sustainable position in the local community. The team have been core to Ballygarry\u2019s success over the three generations and we work tirelessly to retain team members; we do our best to provide a positive employment culture, and work to empower our team.<\/p>\n<p>One of the first major hurdles we overcame was removing single use plastics from the hotel bathrooms. We wanted to ensure we didn\u2019t lose any of the luxury feel from our amenities. Working closely with Voya, our Sligo-based Irish Spa supplier, we switched over to a seaweed based, organic range of amenities that are presented in bulk dispensers to remove the thousands of little plastic bottles found in all too many hotel bathrooms still. Yes, there have been challenges, but we genuinely believe that hotels that do not take steps to be greener will be at a disadvantage. When our guests see that we take our climate action goals to heart, including green procurement, it creates a sense of trust, and, we believe, elevates our brand to the modern consumer.<\/p>\n<p>Recently we have extended our grounds to 180 acres, on which we have developed wetlands to address both our waste water treatment, and reduce carbon output. The four reed beds, over seven acres in size, consume an equivalent amount of carbon that the hotels power would create if we purchased grey power. However, we buy only green energy, and we purchase carbon offsets in a developing country for our gas supply.<\/p>\n<p>Within the Estate we have just planted 29,000 trees and we have our own apiary. We have just retained a consultant to help us steer into the renewable energy realm. We are currently examining the combination of Solar and Wind Technology to create power, and replacing our existing gas boilers with Air to Water Heat Source for our heating and hot water. As far as we can, we want to be self-sustaining, keep our energy and water circular.<\/p>\n<p>We sincerely believe we deliver a better, more sustainable and more responsible hotel experience, and we are proud to have this ethos embedded into our core values.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-20 hover-type-none fusion-animated\" style=\"border:20px solid #2f3b12;border-radius:50%;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" title=\"Thys Vogels &#8211; Hotel Manager, Ballygarry Estate Hotel\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Thys-Vogels-400sq-300x300.jpg\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1230\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Thys-Vogels-400sq-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Thys-Vogels-400sq.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-52 fusion-animated\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Thys Vogels<\/span><\/h5>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Hotel Manager, Ballygarry Estate Hotel<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-42 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:20px;--awb-padding-right:20px;--awb-padding-bottom:20px;--awb-padding-left:20px;--awb-bg-position:center bottom;--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-43 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:30px;--awb-padding-right:30px;--awb-padding-bottom:20px;--awb-padding-left:30px;--awb-overflow:hidden;--awb-bg-color:#bad7da;--awb-bg-color-hover:#bad7da;--awb-bg-image:url(&#039;https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/BG-Kerry-Convention-Bureau-.jpg&#039;);--awb-bg-position:center bottom;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-radius:25px 25px 25px 25px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy fusion-column-has-bg-image\" data-bg-url=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/BG-Kerry-Convention-Bureau-.jpg\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-20 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-one-third fusion-column-first fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:10px;--awb-padding-right:10px;--awb-padding-left:10px;--awb-bg-size:cover;width:33.333333333333%;width:calc(33.333333333333% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.33333333333333 ) );margin-right: 4%;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInLeft\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-dropshadow imageframe-21 hover-type-none\" style=\"border:20px solid #134f2d;border-radius:50%;-webkit-box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px rgba(196,196,196,0.3);box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px rgba(196,196,196,0.3);\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" title=\"Kerry Convention Bureau &#8211; Logo\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/LOGO-Kerry-Convention-Bureau.png\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1680\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/LOGO-Kerry-Convention-Bureau-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/LOGO-Kerry-Convention-Bureau.png 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-dropshadow imageframe-22 hover-type-none\" style=\"border:20px solid #134f2d;border-radius:50%;-webkit-box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px rgba(196,196,196,0.3);box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px rgba(196,196,196,0.3);\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" title=\"Kerry Tourism Industry Federation &#8211; Logo\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Logo-Killarney-TIF-x400sq-300x300.jpg\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1685\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Logo-Killarney-TIF-x400sq-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Logo-Killarney-TIF-x400sq.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-21 fusion_builder_column_inner_2_3 2_3 fusion-two-third fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;width:66.666666666667%;width:calc(66.666666666667% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.66666666666667 ) );\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-53 fusion-animated\" data-animationType=\"fadeInRight\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><h4 style=\"text-align: left;\">Kerry Convention Bureau<\/h4>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-54 fusion-animated\" data-animationType=\"fadeInRight\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><p>\u201cAs manager of the Kerry Convention Bureau, I have been closely involved in recent years in working to position Kerry as a leading destination of choice for business events, commonly referred to as Meetings, Incentive, Conference and Exhibitions (MICE). Winning international MICE business is contingent on many factors, but increasingly we are receiving enquiries which seek evidence of Kerry\u2019s sustainable tourism credentials. It is clear to me that aligning Kerry\u2019s destination offering with sustainable tourism goals is essential for our future continued success.<\/p>\n<p>The Kerry Convention Bureau (KCB) first participated in the Global Destination Sustainability Index in 2018. This Index, which was devised to provide sustainable criteria for business events, and now has been broadened to include leisure, is an international benchmark of excellence. Since 2018, we have focused on making continuous improvements, incorporating all the feedback we receive through the submission process and working collaboratively with other stakeholders to consistently move up the Index. We currently rank number 13 in the Top 20 Global Destinations, which positions us as Ireland\u2019s Number One Sustainable Tourism Destination and Number 9 in Top European Destinations.<\/p>\n<p>Tourism is the lifeblood of Kerry, and the people who live and work here are deeply invested and committed to its sustainable success. As a destination, we want to grow our business carefully and considerately, attracting business which leaves a positive legacy, and creates an impact that reflects our core objectives. We are very proud of our achievements on the Index, but through continued research, data capture, understanding international trends, and continually striving for excellence, we believe we can do even better.<\/p>\n<p>Working collaboratively with Kerry Tourism Industry Federation and Kerry County Council, the Bureau has led out on the creation of the Kerry County Sustainable Tourism Strategy 2022-2025. Created following Sustainable Tourism development principles: \u2018Inspiration, Passion, Respect and Partnership\u2019, the document has been informed by a wide range of other strategies, at both a local and national level.<\/p>\n<p>This work is driven by the Kerry Sustainability Committee, made up of industry partners from across the county who bring expertise and dedication to the table, helping us develop creative and innovative solutions to ensure we are meeting and exceeding international clients\u2019 needs.<\/p>\n<p>Working as a destination requires the input of a broad range of stakeholders. We also work closely with our partners at F\u00e1ilte Ireland and the other regional Convention Bureaux to assist the overall destination to win business for Ireland. We are happy to share the knowledge and learnings of our journey to excellence, as, ultimately, the more we as a destination showcase our green credentials, the more appealing we position ourselves internationally.<\/p>\n<p>I am currently preparing Kerry Convention Bureau\u2019s submission for the 2022 Global Destination Sustainability Index. I have no doubt we will be competing hard to retain our high ranking, but we are committed to prioritising our efforts towards excellence, in the spirit of partnership with our tourism colleagues, and in the true spirit of Kerry hospitality.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-23 hover-type-none fusion-animated\" style=\"border:20px solid #134f2d;border-radius:50%;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" title=\"Becky Hargrove &#8211; Manager, Kerry Convention Bureau\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Becky-Hargrove-400sq-300x300.jpg\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1679\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Becky-Hargrove-400sq-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Becky-Hargrove-400sq.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-55 fusion-animated\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.9\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Becky Hargrove<br \/>\n<\/span><\/h5>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Manager, Kerry Convention Bureau<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-44 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:20px;--awb-padding-right:20px;--awb-padding-bottom:20px;--awb-padding-left:20px;--awb-bg-position:center bottom;--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-12 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling fusion-equal-height-columns\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:50px;--awb-padding-bottom:20px;--awb-background-color:#57714d;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-45 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-menu-anchor\" id=\"steeringgroup\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-22 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.5\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content-centered\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-56\"><h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #f7f7f7;\">STEERING GROUP MEMBERS<\/span><\/h1>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #f7f7f7;\">Thanks to the following who generously contributed knowledge, time and insights to the preparation of this Sustainable Tourism Report.<\/span><\/h5>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-13 hundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling fusion-equal-height-columns\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:50px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-46 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:30px;--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-23 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_5 1_5 fusion-one-fifth fusion-column-first fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:20px;--awb-padding-right:15px;--awb-padding-bottom:15px;--awb-padding-left:15px;--awb-overflow:hidden;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-radius:15px 15px 15px 15px;width:20%;width:calc(20% - ( ( 4% + 4% + 4% + 4% ) * 0.2 ) );margin-right: 4%;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.5\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-24 hover-type-none\" style=\"border:15px solid #afca98;border-radius:50%;\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" title=\"Sarah Dempsey &#8211; Head of Sustainability, Communications and Partnerships, AIB Group plc\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Sarah-Dempsey-400sq.jpg\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1071\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Sarah-Dempsey-400sq-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Sarah-Dempsey-400sq.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:15px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-57\"><h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Sarah Dempsey<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Head of Sustainability<br \/>\nCommunications and Partnerships<br \/>\nAIB Group plc<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-24 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_5 1_5 fusion-one-fifth fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:20px;--awb-padding-right:15px;--awb-padding-bottom:15px;--awb-padding-left:15px;--awb-bg-size:cover;width:20%;width:calc(20% - ( ( 4% + 4% + 4% + 4% ) * 0.2 ) );margin-right: 4%;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.5\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-25 hover-type-none\" style=\"border:15px solid #afca98;border-radius:50%;\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" title=\"Rob Rankin &#8211; Owner\/MD, Vagabond Tours of Ireland\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Rob-Rankin-400sq.jpg\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1070\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Rob-Rankin-400sq-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Rob-Rankin-400sq.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:15px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-58\"><h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Rob Rankin<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Owner\/MD<br \/>\nVagabond Tours of Ireland<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-25 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_5 1_5 fusion-one-fifth fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:20px;--awb-padding-right:15px;--awb-padding-bottom:15px;--awb-padding-left:15px;--awb-bg-size:cover;width:20%;width:calc(20% - ( ( 4% + 4% + 4% + 4% ) * 0.2 ) );margin-right: 4%;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.5\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-26 hover-type-none\" style=\"border:15px solid #afca98;border-radius:50%;\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" title=\"Claire MacEvilly &#8211; CEO, Airfield Estate\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Claire-MacEvilly-400sq.jpg\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1067\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Claire-MacEvilly-400sq-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Claire-MacEvilly-400sq.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:15px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-59\"><h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Claire MacEvilly<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">CEO<br \/>\nAirfield Estate<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-26 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_5 1_5 fusion-one-fifth fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:20px;--awb-padding-right:15px;--awb-padding-bottom:15px;--awb-padding-left:15px;--awb-bg-size:cover;width:20%;width:calc(20% - ( ( 4% + 4% + 4% + 4% ) * 0.2 ) );margin-right: 4%;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.5\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-27 hover-type-none\" style=\"border:15px solid #afca98;border-radius:50%;\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" title=\"Brendan Kenny &#8211; CEO, Ireland\u2019s Association for Adventure Tourism\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Brendan-Kenny-400sq.jpg\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1066\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Brendan-Kenny-400sq-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Brendan-Kenny-400sq.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:15px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-60\"><h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Brendan Kenny<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">CEO<br \/>\nIreland&#8217;s Association for Adventure Tourism<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-27 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_5 1_5 fusion-one-fifth fusion-column-last fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:20px;--awb-padding-right:15px;--awb-padding-bottom:15px;--awb-padding-left:15px;--awb-bg-size:cover;width:20%;width:calc(20% - ( ( 4% + 4% + 4% + 4% ) * 0.2 ) );\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.5\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-28 hover-type-none\" style=\"border:15px solid #afca98;border-radius:50%;\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" title=\"R\u00f3is\u00edn Finlay &#8211; General Manager, Sustainable Travel Ireland\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Roisin-Finlay-400sq.jpg\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1239\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Roisin-Finlay-400sq-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Roisin-Finlay-400sq.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:15px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-61\"><h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>R\u00f3is\u00edn Finlay<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">General Manager<br \/>\nSustainable Travel Ireland<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-28 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_5 1_5 fusion-one-fifth fusion-column-first fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:20px;--awb-padding-right:15px;--awb-padding-bottom:15px;--awb-padding-left:15px;--awb-bg-size:cover;width:20%;width:calc(20% - ( ( 4% + 4% + 4% + 4% ) * 0.2 ) );margin-right: 4%;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.5\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-29 hover-type-none\" style=\"border:15px solid #afca98;border-radius:50%;\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" title=\"Stephen Conlon &#8211; Executive Secretary, Irish Boat Rental Association\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Steve-Conlon-400sq.jpg\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1059\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Steve-Conlon-400sq-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Steve-Conlon-400sq.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:15px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-62\"><h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Stephen Conlon<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Executive Secretary<br \/>\nIrish Boat Rental Association<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-29 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_5 1_5 fusion-one-fifth fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:20px;--awb-padding-right:15px;--awb-padding-bottom:15px;--awb-padding-left:15px;--awb-bg-size:cover;width:20%;width:calc(20% - ( ( 4% + 4% + 4% + 4% ) * 0.2 ) );margin-right: 4%;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.5\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-30 hover-type-none\" style=\"border:15px solid #afca98;border-radius:50%;\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" title=\"Stephen Meehan &#8211; Chief Executive, The Convention Centre Dublin\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Stephen-Meehan-400sq.jpg\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1072\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Stephen-Meehan-400sq-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Stephen-Meehan-400sq.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:15px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-63\"><h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Stephen Meehan<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Chief Executive<br \/>\nThe Convention Centre Dublin<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-30 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_5 1_5 fusion-one-fifth fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:20px;--awb-padding-right:15px;--awb-padding-bottom:15px;--awb-padding-left:15px;--awb-bg-size:cover;width:20%;width:calc(20% - ( ( 4% + 4% + 4% + 4% ) * 0.2 ) );margin-right: 4%;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.5\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-31 hover-type-none\" style=\"border:15px solid #afca98;border-radius:50%;\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" title=\"Niall Timlin &#8211; Director of Corporate Affairs, Aer Lingus\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Niall-Timlin-400sq-1.jpg\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1242\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Niall-Timlin-400sq-1-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Niall-Timlin-400sq-1.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:15px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-64\"><h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Niall Timlin<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Director of Corporate Affairs<br \/>\nAer Lingus<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-31 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_5 1_5 fusion-one-fifth fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:20px;--awb-padding-right:15px;--awb-padding-bottom:15px;--awb-padding-left:15px;--awb-bg-size:cover;width:20%;width:calc(20% - ( ( 4% + 4% + 4% + 4% ) * 0.2 ) );margin-right: 4%;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.5\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-32 hover-type-none\" style=\"border:15px solid #afca98;border-radius:50%;\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" title=\"Michael Lennon &#8211; Director, Westport Woods Hotel\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Michael-Lennon_400sq.jpg\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1240\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Michael-Lennon_400sq-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Michael-Lennon_400sq.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:15px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-65\"><h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Michael Lennon<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Director<br \/>\nWestport Woods Hotel<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-32 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_5 1_5 fusion-one-fifth fusion-column-last fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:20px;--awb-padding-right:15px;--awb-padding-bottom:15px;--awb-padding-left:15px;--awb-bg-size:cover;width:20%;width:calc(20% - ( ( 4% + 4% + 4% + 4% ) * 0.2 ) );\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.5\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-33 hover-type-none\" style=\"border:15px solid #afca98;border-radius:50%;\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" title=\"Kirsty Murphy Hughes &#8211; Group Sustainability Manager, daa\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Kirsty-Murphy-Hughes-400sq.jpg\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1241\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Kirsty-Murphy-Hughes-400sq-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Kirsty-Murphy-Hughes-400sq.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:15px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-66\"><h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Kirsty Murphy Hughes<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Group Sustainability Manager<br \/>\ndaa<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-33 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_5 1_5 fusion-one-fifth fusion-column-first\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:20px;--awb-padding-right:15px;--awb-padding-left:15px;--awb-bg-size:cover;width:20%;width:calc(20% - ( ( 4% + 4% + 4% + 4% ) * 0.2 ) );margin-right: 4%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-34 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_5 1_5 fusion-one-fifth fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:20px;--awb-padding-right:15px;--awb-padding-left:15px;--awb-bg-size:cover;width:20%;width:calc(20% - ( ( 4% + 4% + 4% + 4% ) * 0.2 ) );margin-right: 4%;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.5\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-34 hover-type-none\" style=\"border:15px solid #afca98;border-radius:50%;\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" title=\"Gavan Woods &#8211; Administrator\/CEO, Saint Patrick\u2019s Cathedral\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Gavan-Woods-400sq-1.jpg\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1243\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Gavan-Woods-400sq-1-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Gavan-Woods-400sq-1.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:15px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-67\"><h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Gavan Woods<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Administrator\/CEO<br \/>\nSaint Patrick&#8217;s Cathedral<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-35 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_5 1_5 fusion-one-fifth fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:20px;--awb-padding-right:15px;--awb-padding-left:15px;--awb-bg-size:cover;width:20%;width:calc(20% - ( ( 4% + 4% + 4% + 4% ) * 0.2 ) );margin-right: 4%;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.5\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-35 hover-type-none\" style=\"border:15px solid #afca98;border-radius:50%;\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" title=\"Eoghan O&#8217;Mara Walsh &#8211; CEO, ITIC\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Eoghan-OMaraWalsh-400sq.jpg\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Eoghan-OMaraWalsh-400sq-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Eoghan-OMaraWalsh-400sq.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:15px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-68\"><h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Eoghan O&#8217;Mara Walsh<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">CEO<br \/>\nITIC<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-36 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_5 1_5 fusion-one-fifth fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:20px;--awb-padding-right:15px;--awb-padding-left:15px;--awb-bg-size:cover;width:20%;width:calc(20% - ( ( 4% + 4% + 4% + 4% ) * 0.2 ) );margin-right: 4%;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.5\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-36 hover-type-none\" style=\"border:15px solid #afca98;border-radius:50%;\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" title=\"Catherine Flanagan &#8211; Head of Special Projects, ITIC\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Catherine-Flanagan-400sq.jpg\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1332\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Catherine-Flanagan-400sq-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Catherine-Flanagan-400sq.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:15px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-69\"><h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Catherine Flanagan<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Head of Special Projects<br \/>\nITIC<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-37 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_5 1_5 fusion-one-fifth fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:20px;--awb-padding-right:15px;--awb-padding-left:15px;--awb-bg-size:cover;width:20%;width:calc(20% - ( ( 4% + 4% + 4% + 4% ) * 0.2 ) );\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-14 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-margin-bottom:40px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-47 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.5\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-70\"><h5 style=\"text-align: center;\">Thanks also goes to the following whose input greatly assisted in producing this Report:<\/h5>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">The ITIC Sustainable Tourism Report Working Group<br \/>\nThe ITIC Board and Council Members<br \/>\nAll our case study contributors<br \/>\nJanie Neumann, Sustainable Tourism Manager, VisitScotland<br \/>\nMartina Bromley, Head of Enterprise &amp; Business Development, F\u00e1ilte Ireland<br \/>\nAileen Deasy, Manager, Enterprise Development, F\u00e1ilte Ireland<br \/>\nMark Henry, Director of Marketing, Tourism Ireland<br \/>\nNeil Aulton, Head of Strategy and Insights, Tourism Ireland<br \/>\nCordula Wohlmuther, Coordinator, Sustainable Development of Tourism Department, UNWTO<br \/>\nBecky Hargrove, Manager, Kerry Convention Bureau<br \/>\nPat O&#8217;Leary, Kerry Tourism Industry Federation<br \/>\nMary Mulvey, Board Member, Tourism Ireland<br \/>\nJohn Carty, Galway Mayo Institute of Technology<br \/>\nAnita Conefrey, Atlantic Technological University Sligo<br \/>\nDr James Hanrahan, Atlantic Technological University Sligo<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-15 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:50px;--awb-padding-bottom:50px;--awb-background-color:#262f3b;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-48 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-37 hover-type-none fusion-animated\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.5\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1192\" height=\"146\" title=\"LOGOS-Footer\" src=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LOGOS-Footer.png\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1386\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LOGOS-Footer-200x24.png 200w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LOGOS-Footer-400x49.png 400w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LOGOS-Footer-600x73.png 600w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LOGOS-Footer-800x98.png 800w, https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LOGOS-Footer.png 1192w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 1192px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"100-width.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-987","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/987","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=987"}],"version-history":[{"count":327,"href":"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/987\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1686,"href":"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/987\/revisions\/1686"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.itic.ie\/RECOVERY\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=987"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}