Sustainable Tourism Pathway
Tourism NI’s Sustainable Tourism Pathway is designed to help tourism and hospitality businesses take meaningful, achievable steps towards becoming more sustainable. Whether you’re just getting started or ready to deepen your commitment, the pathway provides the knowledge, tools and support you need to make real progress, at a pace that suits your business.
Step 1: Start Small - Leaner & Greener
The journey begins with simple actions that make an immediate difference.
The Leaner & Greener stage helps businesses:
- Reduce energy use, waste and operational costs
- Build awareness of the environmental and economic benefits
- Develop confidence in adopting sustainable practices
It’s all about taking manageable steps that lead to long-term impact.
Step 2: Learn at Your Own Pace
Through MyTourismNI, businesses can access a suite of free online sustainability modules.
These interactive lessons cover:
- NI’s Commitment to Climate Change
- Guide to Waste Management
- Guide to Energy Management
Coming soon, look out for Guide to Water Management, Guide to Food Waste and Threats to Biodiversity in NI. These modules in a flexible format makes it easier for teams at all levels to build their knowledge.
Step 3: Grow Your Capability - Sustainable Tourism Business Programme
For those ready to move to the next level, the pathway includes a comprehensive development programme delivered by The Tourism Space and accredited by Ulster University Business School.
Participants gain:
- A structured, actionable sustainability plan
- Tools to assess impact and set meaningful goals
- Guidance on embedding sustainability into everyday operations
- Insights to improve competitiveness and resilience
This programme supports deeper organisational change and long-term sustainability leadership. Make sure you are signed up to our mailing list to find out about future intakes for the Sustainable Tourism Business Programme.
Step 4: Graduate Programme
Is a dedicated programme to continue to build support & momentum for businesses, championing and growing cohort of like-minded sustainable-focused tourism businesses across the destination. Learning focuses on more advanced & topical learning.
Step 5: Measure What Matters - Carbon Calculator Pilot
Businesses can further advance their journey by joining the Carbon Calculator Pilot, which supports you to:
- Measure your carbon footprint
- Track emissions across energy, waste, water and transport
- Identify opportunities to reduce environmental impact
- Begin committing to measurable climate action
This stage helps businesses move from broad intentions to data-driven decisions.
Tourism NI is delighted to announce the launch of a Carbon Calculator pilot programme. Calculating a business' carbon footprint can appear challenging at first. To this end, Tourism NI is working in conjunction with EarthCheck on an industry specific calculator.
We are seeking up to ten tourism businesses to participate over a 12 month period with groups and individual mentoring support provided. Expressions of Interest close Monday 5th January. Find out more here.
Sign up to our mailing list to hear about further upcoming opportunities.
Share Your Story
Throughout the pathway, businesses are encouraged to communicate their sustainability journey clearly and authentically.
By telling your story, you can:
- Demonstrate the actions you’re taking
- Enhance visitor trust and engagement
- Strengthen your brand and competitive edge
- Inspire others to follow your lead
Storytelling makes your efforts visible and creates deeper connections with visitors and communities.
Sustainability Case Studies
Take Your Next Step
No matter where you are on your sustainability journey, the Sustainable Tourism Pathway offers structured support to help you make real, lasting change.