How to develop a sustainable Arts, Cultural or Heritage tourism business
Can you help make Northern Ireland a sustainable tourism destination? We are looking for Arts, Culture and Heritage businesses who can develop tourism experiences that are environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable. These are important to both visitors and to local communities. For attractions and experiences working with heritage there is added dimension of ensuring what we do preserves or enhances that heritage.
Creating greener tourism
Tourism businesses everywhere are changing to more sustainable practices. Successful providers with offers that worked well in the past are needing to adapt to new trends and development. We need to deliver great experiences that are non-damaging and enhance the environment, and then tell customers about what we are doing.
Of course, what you do matters more than what you say. Demonstrate environmental care in how you use, re-use and dispose of materials and resources including energy and water. If you can create your own energy, even better.
Show respect for the landscapes and environments you work in. This is particularly important if they are natural or human heritage sites. Your respect for your environment and tangible heritage can be a powerful and eloquent part of sharing its value and importance to your visitors.
Erne Water Taxis
Erne Water Taxis run electric boat tours on Lough Erne. These craft not only are non-polluting, thereby good for the environment that visitors wish to see, but also are silent which enhances the visitor experience of this tranquil natural area.
The Tourism Northern Ireland Sustainable Tourism Toolkit has good information and ideas on building a greener business.
Social sustainability
Your business will impact on your neighbours and local community. They may see more people coming into the area as an opportunity, an inconvenience, or a threat.
Do your best to be a good neighbour. Look at how your business can be a positive part of local life, maybe by employing local people or making positive contributions to the community. You can help build good relations by communicating your plans and ideas regularly and listening carefully to local views.
Elmfield Estate
The Elmfield Estate runs wellness and business events with a passion for offering a warm welcome to all visitors. They create benefit for the local community by hosting The Elmfield Wholefood and Wellbeing Market, a public market that brings together local food producers, artisans and wellness experts in a celebration of the importance of good food for health.
Economic sustainability
Running an economically viable tourism business requires commitment and hard work. Covering your costs and making a living wage whilst charging customers a price they are prepared to pay is often a delicate and difficult balance. It is even harder if there is a short season or other limited availability of what you offer.
In Northern Ireland, we want and need to create profitable and sustainable tourism businesses that are not reliant on grants or other funding.
Tourism Northern Ireland’s Financial Support pages give advice on business finance, including pricing strategies, for tourism businesses.