The plaudits seemed endless for the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark and Burren Ecotourism Network at this year’s Responsible Travel & Tourism Awards, the Irish hospitality sector’s only environmental accreditation programme.
Network members and the Geopark itself claimed the overall prize in 9 of 24 categories in the competition, which is designed to identify and celebrate businesses that are committed to implementing responsible business practices to reduce their environmental impact. The awards, which were judged by a panel of experts, led by GHP chairperson, Duncan Stewart, were open to any business that operates within the travel, tourism and hospitality industry.
The winners were announced by Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport at the Green Hospitality Programme (GHP) National Conference in Dublin.
The Burren & Cliffs of Moher Geopark claimed the Best Destination and Best Responsible Travel & Tourism Business awards, while The Burren Ecotourism Network was named Best Green Group.
There was also success for individual Burren Ecotourism Network members, including Doolin Hostel (Responsible Accommodation and Energy Management), Boghill Centre (Carbon Reduction’and Customer Awareness), Hotel Doolin (Green Procurement Award), and Hotel Doolin / The Armada Hotel (Member of the Year Award). Doolin-based Seaview House B&B, meanwhile, received an honourable mention.
Carol Gleeson, project manager, Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark described the awards success as a “vote of confidence” in the work ongoing throughout the Burren to reduce the impact of tourism on the environment through sustainable business practices.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.