Burren Connect Explores Ecotourism Certification For Local Businesses

Organised by the Burren Connect Project, the meeting will explore the potential for developing and sustaining ecotourism activities in the Burren.

The open event will also feature a presentation on a distance learning Certificate in Ecotourism, managed and accredited by Sligo IT.

"The interest in ecotourism training and certification arose out of the previous ecotourism workshop held by Burren Connect in Kilfenora on the 20th May", explained Ms. Carol Gleeson, Project Manager, Burren Connect Project.

She continued, "Research has shown that there is a strong demand for ecotourism activities among Burren visitors and tourism providers. Feedback from businesses surveyed last year revealed that 97% of accommodation providers and 80% of Visitor Centre Managers believe the Burren should be developed and promoted as an eco-tourism destination and should be labelled accordingly."

Ms. Gleeson said that there was a growing consensus among tourism business owners that the introduction of ecotourism activities would have a potentially positive economic impact on the Burren.

The Burren Connect Project recently brought some tourism-related business owners from the Burren region to visit Ireland’s first Ecotourism destination at the Greenbox in the North West. A return visit by Greenbox businesses to the recent Kilfenora meeting gave local business people an opportunity to discuss certification and training with people who had direct experience of the processes.

According to Ms. Gleeson, "Those who travelled to County Leitrim and many of those who attended the May workshop expressed an interest in achieving internationally recognised accreditation as an ecotourism provider. I would appeal to these business and Owner/Managers of other local tourism businesses to attend the upcoming event where they will discover more about the training opportunities that exist. We will also discuss how we can move forward to achieve certification for their ecotourism product or service, as well as certification through the EU Flower Label."

The meeting takes place at the Pavilion Theatre, Sulpher Hill, Lisdoonvarna, County Clare, on Thursday 26 June at 7.30pm.

For more information contact the Burren Connect Project 065-7072295 or info@burren.ie.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
- High-resolution images of the Burren are available on request. Please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com
- Carol Gleeson (087-2234263) is available for interview

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
00353-868534900 (mobile)
00353-656839692 (fax)