Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The Programme for Government commits to the development of a new Sustainable Tourism Policy document and in advance of this, an interim action plan.

A report from the Sustainable Tourism Working Group which identifies actions to promote sustainable tourism practices was published in October 2021 and can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/202152/72ba3db8-f793-49ee-9abd-74781575c5e2.pdf . The Report reiterated the need to develop a new national tourism policy, which mainstreams sustainability.

In this regard, my Department is progressing with the development of a new national tourism policy framework that will seek to mainstream sustainability – environmental, economic and societal – across the entire tourism sector. The new framework will shape how our tourism industry develops in the period to 2030. While I want to see the tourism sector grow, I want it to do so in a manner that is consistent with our broader sustainability targets and ultimately ensures that Ireland will be a brand leader in sustainable tourism practices.

While initial consultations with key stakeholders were completed last year, I have established a focus group to look at sustainable targets which should meet in the next few weeks. Once the group meets, I will also launch a public consultation and hope to have the new policy framework finalised and published in the coming months.