Greenbox expertise in demand both in Ireland and overseas.
Greenbox has been busy over the past few months despite only having one staff member and no core funding since 2008. The Company awaits news regarding new approved interreg 1V funding along with many projects such as the global geopark which will come into co Cavan and Fermanagh for the first time.In January the CEO Mary Mulvey was highly commended the Shine award in the UK http://www.passport2shine.co.uk/site/?action=sections&id=16
Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland continues to support the work of Greenbox and in the next 2 weeks see press trips from Holland and Germany and their itineraries feature some of the best Ecotourism experiences to offer in the Greenbox.
The board of Tourism Ireland in April met in Donegal and both Mary Mulvey CEO and Michael McGarrigle board member of Greenbox and Chairman of Breesy Centre Cashelard. Were invited to industry working dinner in the Sand house Hotel in Rossnowlagh.
The Swiss tourist board consulted and interviewed Greenbox when relooking at its tourism product and thanks our contribution in a document "Re Inventing Swiss Summer".
In June Greenbox has been invited to address the WorldgreenTourism Conference in Nov
With a prestigious line up of Governments, agencies and policy makers from over 100 countries.
A network of 23 businesses in the Burren www.burrenconnect.ie received training over the past 6 months from Greenbox and will be the first pilot group to get ecotourism accreditation when Failte Ireland agrees its new Nature Tourism and Ecotourism Strategy which is currently at final stages of planning. In 2009 Fáilte Ireland Commissioned W5 to research the demand for Ecotourism to Ireland.
The results clearly indicated the market was ready and the importance of certification was critical for this product. The key links of interacting with nature, local people and quality local food are the cornerstones of ecotourism.
Mary Mulvey CEO Greenbox says "Irish Tourism is realising in the past year the importance of a fresh new product and a reason for the visitor to visit becomes very important. Ecotourism has been mentioned in many new Government publications and we hope our new tourism minister Mary Hannifin TD will bring in some supports for the industry to embrace its full potential. Key supports from training to marketing are required and education training for industry and agencies".
Extract from Research BY W5 Genesis Oct 2009.
SAMPLE OVERVIEW
- 7092 holidaymakers interviewed across seven countries - Ireland, GB, France, Germany, Netherlands, Denmark and USA
- Nationally representative sample (age/gender/region) in each country
- All holidaymakers must have said they would consider Ireland as a destination
- 70% were aware of at least one of the terms 'green tourism', 'Eco tourism', 'sustainable tourism'
- 15% had engaged in some type of eco tourism
- 20% would pay more for green tourism alternatives
In what order is this segment likely to pay more for green alternatives?
1. Food (where wellness, quality of life & local produce is at the centre)
Amongst those most likely to travel here accommodation takes the top position
2. Tours (local and small scale tours exploring hidden places)
Accommodation (nature based accommodation rather than standard types (including alternative accommodation types set in woodland / countryside, availing of local produce etc)
3. Active pursuits (e.g. hill walking, cycling, canoeing which includes interaction with and interpretation of the natural surroundings)
4. Family activity break (based in natural surroundings where the focus is on interaction with the natural surroundings)
5. Natural therapy / spa break (relaxing with nature rather than standard spa / hotel based)
6. Craft / arts break (based in natural surroundings)
Categories:
Start Date: 2010-06-18
End Date: 2010-06-18
