Burren Geopark shortlisted for Award

News release on the Geopark and Loop Head being short listed for the Best Destination for Responsible Tourism Awards at the World Travel Market in London on November 6th.

Since 2008, Burren Connect and now the Burren Geopark have been working to develop the Burren as a truly sustainable tourism destination that gives direct benefits to the local community, promotes and celebrates local culture and produce, preserves the environment and provides a great experience for our visitors. This has been achieved with great support and partnership from local communities and businesses and agencies responsible for tourism and conservation and local development.

This work includes establishing the Burren Ecotourism Network (find out more) as far back as 2008, achieving UNESCO recognised Global Geopark status in 2011 and providing environmental and business training, developing a destination brand, promoting certification, and importantly linking high responsible tourism standards with economic benefit to the area. The Burren & Cliffs of Moher Geopark has also attracted €2.2m funding through the EU Life programme to develop an international sustainable tourism destination model.

The Geopark recently organised and hosted an international sustainable tourism conference, attracting over 200 delegates from many Irish destinations, tourism training colleges, agencies, consultancies and operators. The International speakers provided the global view of how sustainable tourism can work with some great examples of where it works and how it should be organised and supported.

All of the presentations are uploaded onto Burren Geopark Sustainable Tourism Conference page.

Being shortlisted in this award category will greatly help our efforts to communicate the wonder and diversity of our destination to the worldwide visitor.