Press Archive | By year: 2006 2007 2008
2006-10-11 — International Recognition for Ireland's Green Tourism Businesses
FIRST INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR IRELAND'S
'GREEN' TOURISM BUSINESSES
GREENBOX CRUCIAL FOR CROSS BORDER TOURISM DEVELOPMENT.
Ireland's lead in the €5 billion global ecotourism sector was recognised today as the country's first EU certified "green" tourist accommodations were awarded their EU Flower Eco-labels. At a special ceremony in Sligo, held during "EU Flower Week", 14 accommodation providers from the cross-border "Greenbox" area of North West Ireland, were formally acknowledged for their dedication to the rigorous ecological and performance standards that visitors in the fast emerging international ecotourism sector demand.
An internationally recognised certification scheme, the EU Flower Eco-Label is the European Union's Environmental Quality Mark. It is awarded to businesses that comply with strict ecological and performance criteria covering usage of renewable energy, choice of environmental cleaning products and energy and heat saving procedures.
After an extensive independent auditing process three Greenbox members from Northern Ireland met the criteria to be awarded the label. The Green Box is the first area to be achieving this standard and will account for the single biggest cluster of EU Flower Eco-label holders in Europe.
A cross-border initiative, the Greenbox is Ireland's first integrated ecotourism destination. Since it was established in 2004, it has grown to cover a network of more than 150 attractions, activity providers, guest houses, health farms, organic operators and leisure centres throughout Fermanagh, Leitrim, West Cavan, North Sligo, South Donegal and North West Monaghan. The Greenbox has a target of 60,000 bednights a year by 2009.
The development of an ecotourism sector in Ireland is regarded as an important strategy in addressing recent issues including the trend towards shorter urban breaks which has posed significant challenges for rural areas. The North West in particular has experienced a 19.4% decline in international visitor numbers between 2000 and 2004. Ecotourism by its nature tends to be more rural and visitors tend to spend eight to 14 days per trip. Based on international figures, the Irish market has a potential value of up to €51 million a year.
Speaking at the ceremony Crom Castle on 11th October Greenbox CEO Mary Mulvey said "Internationally, ecotourism is the fastest-developing sector of tourism, but in Ireland it's a relatively new concept. The establishment and attainment of internationally recognised standards raises the bar for everyone involved and is something we will be pursuing right across the Greenbox. Ecotourism as an innovative, sustainable and vibrant sector has an important future within this industry both internationally and in Ireland and we aim to ensure the Greenbox is at the forefront of its development.
This is a very exciting day for tourism in Northern Ireland. This is a key achievement for product development. Fermanagh has the potential to lead the way for Eco Tourism in Northern Ireland.The EU Eco Label can be now firmly established as a unique label which crosses borders and boundaries on an all island basis on Ireland."
Green Box Supports Green Enterprises
This week marks the announcement of the Greenbox's Five Green Gems, projects that lead the way in green design and sustainable tourism. Supported by INTERREG IIIA and administered by Border Action and DARD, the Greenbox has committed €400,000 to these projects which means a total capital injection of over €1 million into the local economy.
The Irish Landmark Trust
The Gate House at Colebrooke Park is a small listed property of great architectural merit. There is a charm to both the building and its setting which makes it an ideal holiday retreat for those seeking a short stay in a unique and sensitively restored building.
ILT proposes to fully restore the building. It is intended that not only will the Gate House be saved but the future of the immediate environment and associated social history will also be made secure and accessible.
Lough Allen Adventure Centre
Lough Allen Adventure is an outdoor adventure centre operating in the parish of Ballinaglera, on the Eastern shores or Lough Allen, County Leitrim. The Centre offers a range of outdoor activities including canoeing/kayaking, windsurfing, hill-walking, mountain biking, archery and orienteering.
With the construction of a new green Centre, Lough Allen Adventure Centre is "Ireland's First Ecotourism Activity Centre". The building itself is a showcase for the use of sustainable design and renewable technologies in tourism. The Centre is a "true" example of ecotourism in practice, contributing to the sustainability of both the natural environment and the local economy in which is operates.
The Breesy Centre
Cashelard Community Development Association is a Community organisation for the Cashelard area, operating a multipurpose community centre, incorporating meeting/conference space, visitor accommodation and community facilities.
The project involves upgrading the existing facilities of centre to provide for full commercial sustainability and meet the eco standard. Construction works will employ eco-friendly building practices and use local materials and employment, while the centre will be operated in environmentally sustainable way.
Orchard Acre Barn
Organik Matters is an eco business of two halves. One focuses on providing training and consultancy on sustainable lifestyle themes and ecology. The other grows and sells a range of organic produce.
The project consists of the design and construction of Orchard Acre Barn. The Barn will be a compact multipurpose building with storage and workshop space on the ground floor and a two-bedroomed accommodation unit on the first floor. The two-storey glasshouse to the front of the building will allow additional growing of herbs to complement horticultural outputs from the farm.
Ard Nahoo Health Farm
Ard Nahoo Health Farm is situated above Lough Nahoo, 2km outside Dromahaire, Co. Leitrim. Opening in 2001, it offers its customers a relaxing and revitalizing health farm experience. The owner, Noeleen Tyrell, has many years experience in the provision of these services.
Ard Nahoo Health farm is developing to become an eco holiday centre. The newly developed facility will include three eco lodges, treatment rooms, yoga studio/workshop space, an outdoor communal bathing area - The 'osento' which will include a hot- tub, detox box, steam room and plunge pool.
At the same ceremony, the first ever graduates of Sligo Institute of Technology's ecotourism module received their certificates. Representing tourism organisations and bodies such as Waterways Ireland, National Parks & Wildlife, Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism, Donegal Co. Council, The Organic Centre, Leitrim Sculpture Centre, Arigina Leader and the Greenbox, many of these graduates are policy makers who will drive the growth of ecotourism further throughout Ireland.
Ends 11th October 2006
Note to Editors:
The 3 Green Box members who received their EU Eco-Flower label in Fermanagh are:
Rosemary Armstrong
Arch House
Tullyhona
Florencecourt
Co.Fermanagh
Marius Leonard
Corralea Activity Centre & Cottages
Belcoo
Co.Fermanagh
Damien O'Keeffe
29 Clones Road
Newtownbutler
Co.Fermanagh
