County Clare has been listed as a key destination in the newly launched Atlantic Sustainable Tourism Observatory Ireland, which is part of a major international initiative promoting sustainable practices in the tourism sector.
The INSTO Observatory at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) will work with the Clare tourism sector to monitor over 40 indicators rooted in international best practices to advance sustainable tourism practices.
The launch was attended by key figures within the industry, including UN Tourism, the Minister for Tourism, and other industry partners, showing growing support for sustainability incentives in Irish tourism.
The County Clare Destination Green Team, in collaboration with ATU, aims to secure Ireland’s first Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Destination certification to develop sustainable tourism practices, support local communities, and manage the county’s social, cultural, economic, and environmental future.
Picture shows Eoghan O’Mara Walsh (Irish Tourism Industry Confederation), Carol Gleeson (Manager, The Burren, and Cliffs of Moher UNSECO Global Geopark), Fiona McKenna (ATU), Mary Mulvey (Tourism Ireland), Ian Brannigan (Western Development Commission). Front row L to R: James Hanrahan (ATU), Orla Flynn (ATU President), Catherine Martin (Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media), Dr. Dirk Glaesser, (Director, Sustainable Development of Tourism, UN Tourism), Nina Kušar, (UN Tourism). Photo James Connolly.
