Greening Tourism: Reimagining the Tourism Sector in Ireland

Tourism is a leading and ever-growing economic sector outpacing the global economy with a 4% increase each year, according to the UNWTO Tourism Barometer 20191. Europe is the destination of choice for 51% of the world market with its rich cultural heritage and favourable socio-political environment. The objective is to analyse the current situation of national and regional lockdowns, and the resulting slowdown in tourism activities, related to COVID-19, provides an opportunity to rethink overall development strategies for Ireland with particular reference to the tourism sector which has been a central asset in terms of employment and contribution to national GDP over the last decade. As was the case during the last recession, tourism has a key role in play in Ireland’s national economic recovery, discussing both the Irish National Tourism Development Authority (Fáilte Ireland) and the main industry organisation, the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC), launched strategies in 2016 and 2018 respectively.