Case Study - Financial Advantage: Clandeboye Lodge Hotel

Clandeboye Lodge Hotel

A stylish 4* hotel in a beautiful rural location, the Clandeboye Lodge is a stunning property with a renowned brasserie, a name for excellent customer service and the only EFQM accredited hotel in Northern Ireland. Pim Dalm, Managing Director, wanted to build on their reputation and develop their green credentials, and immediately saw both the ecological and financial advantages of becoming a member of GTNI. 

Case Study - Learning: Ballydugan Cottages

Ballydugan Cottages

Jeannie and Jim Morrison, of Ballydugan Cottages, are no strangers to making changes for the benefit of their business. After inheriting a row of derelict properties near Down Patrick, Northern Ireland, Jeannie lovingly restored and adapted each one, transforming them into the holiday cottages they are today. “Rather than demolishing the cottages, I wanted to preserve what was good about them,” explained Jeannie.

Case Study - Inspiration Brack Tours

Inspiration: Brack Tours

Since 2007, Brack Tours have provided unique and authentic driving excursions, utilising their extensive local knowledge and years of industry experience. They have already been inspired to make changes from the inside out, from initiating ‘walk to work’ initiatives and incorporating green procedure into special interest trips, to developing green packages to attract the lucrative US market. Nuala Devlin Saul, Managing Director, considers partnership crucial for the success of green tourism in Northern Ireland. “Visitor attractions, bed and breakfasts, for example, don’t have tour operators to showcase their products, so we need to collaborate to make this work, and we need to do it quickly.”

Irish Responsible Tourism Awards 2015

Congratulations to Life Adventure Centre and Tory Bush Cottages for winning the Silver Awards in their respective categories.  

TripAdvisor Green Leaders – Blessing or Curse?

TripAdvisor’s Green Leaders scheme has stirred its fair share of controversy over the last weeks, fuelled by its nomination for a WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow award. In this guest post, hotel sustainability consultant Benjamin Lephilibert reflects on the use and usefulness of online peer reviews as indicators for environmental best practice.

Hitting the St Patrick’s Camino

A new walking trail – the St Patrick’s Camino – has been launched by MArk Cumming and Keith McDonnell in time for St Patrick’s Day.

Strangford Lough on BBC Country File

BBC's Countryfile team explored on Sunday night several aspects of the Strangford Lough Destination.