Pictured
(l. to r.): Jenny De Saulles, Fáilte Ireland; John Pierse, South
Kerry Partnership; Duncan Stewart, RTE Presenter; Nathan Kingerlee,
Outdoors Ireland and Andrea Nicholas, Green Tourism
Schem
South Kerry Goes Green
55 tourism businesses honoured at Green Awards
A group of 55 South Kerry tourism businesses have become the
first in Ireland to be certified under the Green Tourism Business
Scheme at an awards ceremony held today in the Brehon Hotel,
Killarney. The recipients have been working both individually and
as a network to make their businesses greener since December 2009,
and were today recognised for their commitment to an environmental
approach to management. (For the full list of winners log on to www.greentourism.ie.)
The awards were presented to the businesses by environmentalist,
architect and TV presenter, Duncan Stewart, from RTÉ's 'Eco-Eye'
and 'About the House'. Mr Stewart stressed the importance of
businesses participating in such schemes and said:
"Ireland has some of the most outstanding landscapes and natural
environments in the world, for which we are internationally
renowned. So it's really little wonder that a growing number of our
tourism businesses are taking steps to conserve and care for these
most precious of resources. These businesses in South Kerry should
be congratulated for participating in this important pilot project
and for leading the way for other destinations in Ireland to follow
suit.
Mr Stewart went on to say that -
"Visitors to Ireland are increasingly aware of environmental issues
and will be impressed when visiting South Kerry with the way in
which our natural environment is being protected and cherished, and
they in turn will spread the message abroad."
The Green Tourism Business Scheme is the first eco-certification
scheme of its kind in Ireland and is designed to help all types of
tourism enterprises manage their operations in a more
environmentally friendly way. The scheme, which was piloted in
South Kerry, is run by Fáilte Ireland and South Kerry Development
Partnership through the INTERREG IVB NWE COLLABOR8 project.
The participating businesses are located around the Ring of Kerry
and include accommodation providers, activity providers,
restaurants, bars and outdoor visitor attractions. With
90% of visitors citing the
beauty of our landscape as the reason they visit Ireland,
initiatives such as the Green Tourism Business Scheme will prove
vital in helping to maintain Ireland's reputation as a clean, green
destination.
Congratulating the award recipients, Fiona Buckley, Head of
Operations for Fáilte Ireland in the South West said -
"These businesses have taken steps from reducing their energy and
water consumption, to improving their waste management and sourcing
fresh seasonal produce from local suppliers. All of these measures
help ensure that they carefully manage our natural environment,
without compromising on the high quality experience that is
delivered to visitors."
International research shows that environmental considerations are
increasingly becoming a factor for tourists. Research carried out
by Fáilte Ireland has identified a strong need from the consumer
for an eco-certification scheme for all sectors of the tourism
industry.
John Pierse, South Kerry Development Partnership, highlighted some
additional benefits to businesses who are participating in the
scheme -
"Feedback from tourism businesses participating in this pilot has
been overwhelmingly positive, with many businesses already
reporting cost savings in their businesses.
As we all know, you can't manage what you can't measure, and
businesses in this scheme have now been provided with the know-how
is to determine where they are spending money on utilities such as
energy, water and waste and how they can achieve cost savings in
these areas."
With over 80% of businesses currently participating in the Green
Tourism Business Initiative in the UK achieving cost savings, it is
anticipated that businesses in South Kerry will benefit in the same
way over the coming year.
Mr Pierse continued -
"We look forward to continuing to
work with this network of 'green' tourism businesses and see
their GTBS awards as an important step in the development of
sustainable tourism and the management of the environment in our
region."
ENDS
South Kerry Development Partnership
Sean de Buitlear - Communications Officer COLLABOR8
087 2670789
