The shortlist was announced yesterday for the 2016 Irish Responsible Tourism Awards. There are 6 categories for each award – designed to celebrate those making a difference in Ireland and using tourism to benefit local communities, economies and the environment.
The shortlist was selected by a meeting of the jury of industry experts at Fáilte Ireland’s offices in Dublin. Award winners will be announced at the 2016 Irish Responsible Tourism Conference on Thursday 6th October 2016 at the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Golden Lane, Dublin 8.
Head of Innovation & Investment at Fáilte Ireland, Paddy Matthews said, "A more environmentally conscious and community-centred approach to developing tourism in Ireland is becoming more and more mainstream... and so it should. It results in more genuine and authentic experiences for all our visitors."
Award categories and shortlisted businesses are:
• Best Destination for Responsible Tourism: Mulranny (Co. Mayo), Inishbofin Community Services Programme (Co. Galway), Sheep’s Head Way (Co. Cork)
• Best for Accessible & Inclusive Tourism: Mobility Mojo, Gleneagle Hotel Group (Co. Kerry)
• Best for Natural Heritage Tourism: Doolin Cave (Co. Clare), Burren Nature Sanctuary (Co. Clare), Sea Synergy Marine Awareness & Activity Centre (Co. Kerry)
• Best Innovation in Responsible Tourism: Great Lighthouses of Ireland, The Blackfriary Community Heritage & Archaeology Project (Co. Meath)
• Best Local Authority Initiative for Responsible Tourism: Westport Smarter Travel Bike Buffet (Mayo County Council), Lough Muckno (Monaghan County Council)
• Best Tourism Accommodation for Local Sourcing: Fuchsia Lane Farm Holiday Cottages (Co. Tipperary), Hotel Doolin (Co. Clare), Seaview B&B (Co. Clare)
Source: www.businessworld.ie
