Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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89. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps her Department is taking to promote eco-tourism, particularly in coastal areas. [8433/23]

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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108. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps her Department is taking to promote eco-tourism across the country. [8397/23]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 108 together.

I refer the Deputy to Question No. 41 of 26 January last, when the matter of eco-tourism was addressed.

Ecotourism is defined by the World Tourism Organisation, UNWTO, as all nature-based forms of tourism in which the main motivation of the tourists is the observation and appreciation of nature as well as the traditional cultures prevailing in natural areas. It minimises negative impacts upon the natural and socio-cultural environment and supports the maintenance of natural areas.

As we continue the rebuild phase in the tourism sector following the Covid-19 pandemic we have an opportunity to address sustainable development and management more meaningfully within the tourism ecosystem. Central to developing a more resilient and sustainable tourism sector will be an increased focus on the promotion and development of sustainable tourism practices such as ecotourism.In this regard, my Department has initiated the development of a new national sustainable tourism policy that will seek to mainstream sustainability across the entire ecosystem.

This policy commitment will seek to deliver on Ireland’s ambition to be amongst the world-leaders in sustainable tourism practices not only from an environmental perspective but also a social and economic perspective. The development of this new policy will involve extensive consultation with the tourism industry and our communities to help set out a path for the coming years which will support a sustainable recovery and subsequent growth in the sector. Initial consultations with key stakeholders have taken place with a purpose of helping inform the policy direction prior to a more widespread public consultation scheduled in the coming weeks.

With regards to promotional plans relating to environmentally sustainable tourism or eco-tourism in specific areas of the country, this is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred this question to Fáilte Ireland for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.