Tourism NI hosts Sustainable Tourism event

Photo Caption: ( L-R) Aine Finnegan, General Manager of room2 Hometel, Nikki McQuillan, Senior Lecturer at Ulster University, Tina O’Dwyer, CEO of The Tourism Space, and Eimear Callaghan, Head of Experience and Industry Development at Tourism Northern Ireland pictured at today’s `What’s The Story with Sustainability?’ event in Belfast

Held in the city’s first low carbon hometel, Room2 in Queen Street, the `What’s the Story with Sustainability?’ event explored how businesses can make both short-term and long-term investments in sustainability, even in the face of rising operational costs.

The almost 90 tourism businesses which attended were also shown how to maximise impact and reach through storytelling and marketing, helping them bring their sustainability journeys to life for visitors.

Published earlier this year, the 10-year Tourism Vision & Action Plan recognises the important contribution the tourism sector makes to the Northern Ireland economy, whilst aiming to grow an industry which is economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable.

The climate crisis and global loss of biodiversity are driving growing demand for more environmentally responsible tourism experiences.

Therefore, Tourism NI is working to support tourism businesses in the region position and promote themselves as sustainable experiences to secure future business.

Attendees gathered for today’s event heard from Eimear Callaghan, Head of Experience & Industry Development at Tourism NI, who spoke about why sustainable tourism is so important to visitors and businesses alike.

Eimear also outlined Tourism NI’s `Sustainable Tourism Pathway’ which is designed to support businesses depending on where they are on their own sustainability journey, from beginners through to the more advanced.

She also launched three new sustainability courses - Guide to Waste Management, NI's Commitment to Climate Change, and Energy Management in Tourism – which are now available on Tourism NI’s e-learning platform `MyTourismNI’.

The event was facilitated by Tina O'Dwyer, Founder and CEO of The Tourism Space, who shared updates on the latest sustainability directives and resources, setting the context for Northern Ireland in the year ahead.

During the event, two panel discussions took place exploring how collaboration rooted in place can create richer visitor experiences and stronger local economies, and the role and benefits of storytelling.

Those who took part in the discussions included Terry McCartney, owner of the Belmore Court & Motel in Fermanagh, Pauline Carey, Visitor Experience & Business Development Manager at The Boatyard Distillery, Jac Callan, Senior Sustainability & Impact Manager at Visit Belfast, Laura Bradley, co-owner of Indie Füde Melanie Harrison, owner of The Harrison in Belfast, and Sinead Mackle, Education & Outreach Manager at Armagh Observatory & Planetarium.

Eimear Callaghan, Head of Experience & Industry Development at Tourism NI, said: “Sustainability remains a key focus of our workstreams going forward as it is of increasing importance for visitors seeking more meaningful travel experiences.

“Introducing greener practices and processes is also good for business as it helps offset rising costs.

“Our Sustainable Tourism supports will help businesses take practical steps to embed sustainability in their day-to-day operations and give them the tools to promote their sustainable offerings to future visitors.”