Twelve Northern Ireland businesses join Tourism NI sustainability programme

Twelve tourism businesses from across Northern Ireland have joined the latest round of Tourism NI’s Sustainable Tourism Business Programme.

The sixth cohort of the programme was launched at the Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Bellaghy this week, bringing the number of businesses to have taken part to more than 60.

Delivered in partnership with The Tourism Space and Ulster University, the initiative aims to help tourism operators introduce practical sustainability measures while strengthening their competitiveness.

Tourism NI sustainability programme

The businesses taking part in the new cohort are Fish City, The Horatio Group, the National Trust’s North Coast Property Portfolio, Castle Archdale Holiday Park in Enniskillen, Sperrin Alpacas in Omagh, Ballyburren Outdoor Escapes near Ballynahinch, Historic Royal Palaces at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, Siren Investments Ltd in Hillsborough, the Galgorm Collection, The Valley Hotel in Fivemiletown, Glenshane Country Farm and Tullymurry House Ltd in Newry.

Participants will receive structured mentoring and training designed to help businesses develop more sustainable tourism offerings and reduce their consumption of waste, water and energy.

The programme also considers areas including accessibility, biodiversity, community and how tourism businesses communicate their sustainability work to visitors.

Ulster University qualification

Businesses completing the 12-week programme will receive a Level 4 Certificate of Achievement in Sustainable Tourism Practice in Destinations from Ulster University.

Representatives from the latest cohort have already completed their first module, focusing on concepts of sustainable and regenerative tourism.

Jessica Hoyle, Experience Development Manager at Tourism NI, said the organisation was delighted to welcome another 12 businesses to what she described as an expanding network of tourism industry leaders.

She said the programme was intended to build knowledge, encourage best practice and create stronger relationships between sustainable tourism businesses across Northern Ireland.

Hoyle added that the work would help businesses respond to changing visitor expectations while improving Northern Ireland’s overall attractiveness as a destination.