Ireland has a clean green destination reputation but it will require graduates who can manage the environment.
The Institute of Technology Sligo has now developed an eco-tourism degree course which is unique in Europe.
Dr James Hanrahan, a lecturer in eco tourism, says that the perception of most visitors to Ireland is that of a clean, green and friendly destination. Dr Hanrahan believes this branding of Ireland needs to be managed carefully and that providing a degree course on the subject is a step in the right direction.
You have to manage the environment if you want to maintain its integrity.
Sligo IT was involved in setting up, the Greenbox, an area of the northwest designated as Ireland's first eco-tourism destination.
The focus is on small scale, low impact tourism products primarily nature based.
One example of this type of tourism is the Lough Allen Adventure Centre in Leitrim. The centre was set up by Kevin Currid in 2002 when he spotted a growing trend towards outdoor activity holidays. People are looking to take part in activities that involve an element of active self improvement. For others, eco tourism is about relaxation. Whether looking for an active or passive holiday, the common thread is minimum impact on the environment.
Ard Nahoo in Leitrim is a six acre eco retreat in the Greenbox. Ard Nahoo offers three eco cabins and Noeleen Tyrrell says that the centre attracts all kinds of holidaymakers and has been developed with minimum environmental impact. The whole centre was built using Irish wood, it is insulated with hemp, and the cabins are heated with wood pellet stoves. Ard Nahoo won the EU Flower, an award that measures environmental credentials.
All the painting and all the interiors are all natural products.
Eco tourism continues to grow as people's awareness of environmental issues grows.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 14 May 2009. The reporter is Eileen Magnier.
