Masterclass ‘sustains’ interest in green tourism

TV personality and sustainability expert Dick Strawbridge has delivered the keynote address to tourism businesses and organisations from across Northern Ireland taking a masterclass in improving their green credentials and profitability.
By Staff Reporter
Published 27th Feb 2014, 14:55 BST
Pictured at the Ecos Centre, Ballymena are Ruth Morgan, NITB Policy & Environmental Officer with Dick Strawbridge, guest speaker at the Green Tourism Masterclass.Pictured at the Ecos Centre, Ballymena are Ruth Morgan, NITB Policy & Environmental Officer with Dick Strawbridge, guest speaker at the Green Tourism Masterclass.
Pictured at the Ecos Centre, Ballymena are Ruth Morgan, NITB Policy & Environmental Officer with Dick Strawbridge, guest speaker at the Green Tourism Masterclass.

The ‘Green Tourism - Making it Work’ Masterclass at Ballymena’s Ecos Environmental Centre tackled the ‘how to’ of sustainable tourism through a series of practical workshops.

The workshops focused on the everyday implications of energy conservation, green certification, marketing green credentials, supporting local wildlife and waste management.

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Strawbridge, who came to prominence in the BBC series ‘It’s Not Easy Being Green’ and is originally from Northern Ireland, was home to speak about sustainable living, eco-technology and 21st century sustainability.

Experts from the Energy Institute, Respondeco (Responsible Tourism Communications), WRAP (the Waste and Resources Action Programme), the Ulster Wildlife Trust and the Green Tourism Business Scheme were also on hand throughout the day to offer delegates practical advice and tips on green tourism.

Ruth Morgan, NITB Policy & Environment Officer, said: “Tourists coming to Northern Ireland and indeed elsewhere are increasingly focusing on sustainability and the environment. This is shaping their decisions on the destinations they visit and the activities they will take part in while there.

“This NITB Masterclass was designed to provide practical information that businesses and organisations can implement to achieve sustainable and green tourism practices to help them meet the growing demand from visitors. Taking on or improving these practices can also help tourism businesses and organisations increase the quality of their offering and achieve real costs savings that impact the bottom line.”

The ‘Green Tourism - Making it Work’ Masterclass followed up on a previous NITB event examining the business opportunities around sustainable tourism.

Related topics:Northern IrelandBallymena