Niche tourism opportunities

Sustainability is a growing global trend across a whole range of industries around the world.

In tourism, sustainability is a practice of trying to:

• make as low an impact as possible on the environment and local culture
• helping to generate income and employment for the local economy

What does it mean in practice?

Sustainable tourism is not the same as eco-tourism or green tourism, which focus on conservation and the environment. Rather than being a 'tourism product', sustainable tourism is a way of doing things. The aim is to protect and ensure the future of the local tourism industry.

There are many clear benefits to sustainability including:

•  cost savings
• increased profitability
• improved reputation
• access to an increasing market of environment- and culture- conscious customers

Going Green

Small steps in your business can help you make it more sustainable, from:

• minimising your business waste
• improving energy and water efficiency
• increasing community engagement
• sourcing local produce

For more advice to help you embrace sustainable practices in your business, see make your business more sustainable. For hotels, see use resources efficiently in your hotel. 

Green accreditation

Green Tourism Certification is the largest and most established scheme of its kind in the world, recognised by both UK national and regional government as a key part of its drive towards sustainability. See Green Tourism Certification.

Future trends

Tourism NI expects the theme of sustainability to be central to the global tourism industry in years to come. They highlight a number of opportunities for local tourism providers, including:

• keeping in local, ie sourcing produce, staff and services from your vicinity  
• promoting your green credentials for greatest impact and increased business
• meeting demands of particular demographic, eg eco-conscious and health focused individuals