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Killeavy Castle Estate and Brack Tours were two of eleven NI businesses who participated in Tourism Northern Ireland's Sustainable Tourism Business Programme in Enniskillen this week.
The trip formed part of Tourism and Hospitality Week 2025, which aims to highlight an industry that generates £1.1 billion for the local economy and supports 70,000 jobs across the north.
The programme, facilitated by The Tourism Space in partnership with Ulster University, represents the fifth cohort of businesses working towards becoming advocates for sustainable tourism experiences. Participants gain practical knowledge on managing energy, water and waste efficiently, with successful completion leading to a Level 4 Certificate of Achievement in Sustainable Tourism Practice in Destinations from Ulster University.
Other businesses taking part in the learning journey included Indie Fude, The Sound Healing Spa, The Guildhall, the Peacemakers Museum, Carrick A Rede Retreat, Seamus Heaney Homeplace, Friels Bar Restaurant/Gorta Heritage Centre, Ballyscullion Park and Croga Tours. The diverse group represents the breadth of Northern Ireland's tourism offering, from cultural attractions to hospitality venues.
During their familiarisation trip to Enniskillen, the group met with members of Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark's Regenerative Tourism Business Network, which comprises 32 members all sharing the common goal of operating more sustainably. The itinerary included stops at Belmore Court & Motel, The Boatyard Distillery and The Firehouse, where participants heard first-hand accounts of ongoing sustainability initiatives.
A highlight of the trip was a journey along Lough Erne aboard Island Discovery, a silent, all-electric eco-friendly motor experience provided by Erne Water Taxi. The group also tried archery at Blue Green Yonder, a community-centred outdoor adventure centre, with each location offering insights into sustainable business practices and sharing their own experiences with the visiting operators.
Maria McAlister, Interim Experience Brand Development Manager at Tourism NI, highlighted the programme's impact. "The field trip module of the Sustainable Tourism Business Programme is consistently mentioned as one of the highlights by participants. This immersive experience provides a fantastic opportunity to learn from other sustainable businesses across Northern Ireland, while connecting with like-minded operators making meaningful progress. Following the trip, participants will continue to develop their knowledge in areas such as accessibility and inclusion, sustainability storytelling, and carbon footprint measurement. By the end of the programme, each business will have created a tailored sustainability action plan and, after assessment, be awarded a Level 4 Certificate in Sustainable Tourism Practice in Destinations, accredited by Ulster University."
The initiative reflects a growing commitment across Northern Ireland's tourism sector to operate more sustainably, with McAlister noting that an increasing number of businesses complete the programme each year. "With an increasing number of businesses completing the programme each year, this collective effort is helping strengthen Northern Ireland's reputation as a sustainable destination on the global stage," she said, underlining how the programme is positioning the region as a leader in responsible tourism practices.
