Sustainable Travel

24 listed are current members of the Greenbox Network

The Northwest of Ireland clearly stands out and has achieved recognition in Ireland’s first ecotravel guide book. The all island publication is the first recognition that a growing consumer market is choosing a holiday with a difference.

The following properties in the Northwest are included in the book, The Greenbox, the Kingfisher Cycle Trail, the Leitrim Sculpture Centre, the Organic Centre and many more services and organisations are also listed in the comprehensive directory.

Greenbox welcome this publication of many of its members which is a reward for much investment in training and product development over the past number of years.

Mary Mulvey, CEO, The Greenbox commenting on the launch “There is now recognition of the fact that the products and services are in demand by tourists. We now need all the agencies in tourism, agriculture and rural development to capitalise on these achievements and deliver on what it is in strategic plans if we are serious about developing ecotourism on the island of Ireland.

The majority of funding that the Greenbox has received to date has been from cross border sources, very little core funding support for training, capital development and marketing has been received to date.”

County Cavan (2)
• The Old Schoolhouse ,Meenaslive Co Cavan www.theoldschoolhousecavan.com
• Trinity Island Lodge ,Killenashandra ,Co Cavan www.trinityisland.com

County Donegal ( 3 )
• The Breesy Centre , Cashelard , Ballyshannon, Co Donegal www.breesycentre.com
• Ard Na Breatha , Donegal Town Co Donegal www.ardnabreatha.com
• Creevy Coop- Creevy, Ballyshannon, Co Donegal www.creevyexperience.com
Co Fermanagh (8)
• Ireland’s Eco Tours ,Bellek Co Fermanagh www.irelandecotours.com
• Blaney Spa & Yoga Centre www.blaneyspaandyogacentre.com
• The Share Centre www.sharevillage.org
• Belle Isle Estate www.belleisle-estate.org
• Corralea Activity Centre www.activityireland.com

Co Leitrim (4)
• Ard Nahoo ,Dromahair ,Co Leitrim www.ardnahoo.com
• Tawnlusty Lodge,Manorhamilton Co Leitrim www.tawnylustlodge.com
• The Old Rectory ,Ballinamore,Co Leitrim www.theoldrectoryireland.com
• Lough Allen Adventure Centre , Ballinaglearagh Co Leitrim www.loughallenadventure.com

Co Sligo (4)
• The Benwiskin Centre, Ballintrillick, Co Sligo www.benwiskincentre.com
• Voya Seaweed Baths, Strandhill Co Sligo www.voya.ie
• The Gyreum EcoLodge, Riverstown, Co Sligo www.gyreum.com
• Coopershill House, Co Sligo www.coopershill.com (Member of Ireland’s Blue Book and Responsible Tourism Skillnet, promoted by Greenbox)

The Green Box is Ireland’s first eco-tourism destination and is based on the principles of eco-tourism, which include the following:

• Conservation of natural and cultural heritage
• Includes local and indigenous communities in its planning and development
• Interprets the natural and cultural heritage of the destination to visitors
• Is best suited to independent travellers, and organised tours for small groups
• Its main emphasis is on sustainability

The project is currently implementing an operational work programme across 6 key areas:

1. Training and certification
2. Development of eco-tourism standards
3. Capital Development Programme
4. Marketing (including product / package development) and communications
5. Networking of product providers – Network development and support
6. Advocacy for Green/ Environmental / Eco-Tourism issues

All elements are inextricably linked to create a concept that can be sustainable, market driven and marketed as a real value Tourism product.

• The awarding of Ireland’s First EU Flower –14 properties in 2006. 10 further properties awaiting notification of award in June 2008. www.ecolabel-tourism.eu
• Ireland’s First Ecotourism Label has now set the standard for ecotourism in Ireland and is independently assessed by the EPA, NSAI, Failte Ireland, DARD and NITB.
See our Fact sheet on our website www.greenbox.ie plus Greenbox Certified Breaks on our home page. www.greenbox.ie/ecobreaks.php
• Responsible Tourism Skillnets ( Greenbox is the promoter) www.responsibletourism.ie This will provide training and networking support to enterprises interested in developing their business in a more environmentally friendly way, with a particular focus on ecotourism.
• First up for Responsible Tourism Skillnet will be training in the following key areas: the EU Flower, an independent audited environmental accommodation standard; the single certificate in Ecotourism and the Greenbox’s own ecotourism label for packages.
• Embargo until June 4th, 5pm, 2008 – further Details: Mary Mulvey-CEO
00353 87 -6841531 mary@greenbox.ie