County Clare has been successful in its bid to become the first countywide certified sustainable tourism destination in Ireland.
The Banner County has been awarded Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Destination Certification, recognised as a global leader in managing standards for sustainable travel and tourism, following a visit to Clare last month by certifying body EarthCheck.
Successfully securing certification sees Clare join dozens of dedicated destinations worldwide that have received the designation, including The Azores (Portugal), Nuuk (Greenland), Järvsö (Sweden), Rottnest Island (Australia), Breckenridge & Vail, Colorado (USA), Tarvisio (Italy), and Ejder 3200 (Turkey).
Clare’s pursuit of certification and the development of a sustainable tourism policy for County Clare has been led by the County Clare GSTC Destination Green Team, which was established in 2023 by the Tourism Department of Clare County Council and the Clare Tourism Advisory Forum.
The Team comprises a cross-section of local authority employees, tourism agencies and businesses, conservation agencies, community leaders and organisations, the UN Tourism International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO), and the sustainable tourism expertise of Atlantic Technical University (ATU) Sligo.
Welcoming the news, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Councillor Alan O’Callaghan, commented, “The destination certification process is a way for all stakeholders to focus on developing County Clare as a place that supports local communities and businesses, delivers exceptional visitor experiences, and safeguards our social, cultural, economic, and environmental future. I commend Clare County Council, its tourism and business partners, tourism networks, ATU Sligo, State Agencies like NPWS, OPW, GSI, National Monuments Service, Failte Ireland, Shannon Airport Group as well as the IFA and Shannon Region Sports and Conference Bureau, for their dedication and leadership throughout this process.”
Interim CEO of Clare County Council, Dr Carmel Kirby, said that Clare County Council is committed to making County Clare a leading example in Ireland of a collaboratively managed ecological, economical, and socially sustainable destination.
“Clare’s certification will enhance transparency, foster greater collaboration in tourism planning, and reaffirm our commitment to sustainability,” she explained. “Our ongoing partnership with ATU Sligo will play a crucial role in advancing systems to measure and monitor the continued growth of a truly sustainable tourism offering in Clare.”
According to Siobhan McNulty, Director of Tourism Development with Clare County Council, “Our priority now is to collaborate with the broader Clare tourism sector, local communities, State agencies and all departments in Clare County Council to strengthen and build on our Sustainable Destination status. Gaining widespread support from the tourism industry is essential, and we must continue to raise the bar in every aspect of how we operate and deliver tourism in Clare.”
Seán Lally, Chair of the Clare Tourism Advisory Forum, stated, “Securing this accreditation is a major achievement for County Clare and for Ireland, especially at a time when the tourism sector is navigating significant challenge It’s vital that our county continues to lead by example, setting a path others can follow. By future-proofing our tourism offering now, we’re positioning the local sector to thrive amid both emerging challenges and new opportunities.”
“Securing sustainable destination status for County Clare is not merely about attracting tourists or receiving accreditation,” stated Deirdre O’Shea, Head of Tourism with Clare County Council.
She added, “For Clare County Council, this achievement is about delivering on the promise set out in the County Clare Tourism Strategy 2030 — to establish Clare as a globally recognised, sustainable destination. It’s about ensuring tourism benefits are shared fairly across our communities, creating year-round employment, enhancing the visitor experience, and, importantly, redefining how we approach and manage tourism in the county”.
Reacting to the news, Carol Gleeson, Manager of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark and Green Team member, said, “This is an ongoing journey, which includes a road already travelled for many years here in North Clare.”
“The Geopark and businesses in North Clare have long worked towards sustainable tourism, setting an example for the rest of the county and playing a key role in securing international recognition for Clare’s destination management efforts,” she said. “The positive impact of this approach is clear in the success of the Burren Ecotourism Network. I’m excited to see this approach spread within Clare—a way of working collaboratively on a tourism experience that is authentic, enjoyable and ultimately beneficial to our local communities.”
Visit www.visitclare.ie/sustainable for more on County Clare’s sustainable journey.
Back Row left to right, Denis Tuohy, Irish Farmers Association; Sean Lenihan, Director of Service, Clare County Council; John O’Malley, Senior Executive Officer, West Clare MD; John Corry, Senior Executive Officer, Clare County Council; Cillian Murphy; Morgan Lahiffe, Climate Action Coordinator, Clare County Council.