TUS conference told community has a key role to play in sustainable tourism

The key role of community in sustainable tourism, and in particular the role of “Renew Bunratty” in the future development of the Clare village and its tourism amenities, was central to the sustainable tourism conference which took place on Tuesday.

TUS Limerick School of Art and Design (LSAD) and Bunratty Local Development Association (BLDA) have come together to create “Renew Bunratty”, a project that has received €50,000 from Creative Ireland’s Creative Climate Action Fund II.

This project is a community-led, hands-on collaboration between the university and Bunratty in a process that has been designed to nurture a sense of caring for the environment in and around Bunratty Castle, one of the biggest tourist attractions in Ireland.

At Tuesday's conference, leaders in tourism and local government discussed the important insight communities can bring to the redevelopment of their villages and the associated tourism offering. 

Professor Vincent Cunnane, president of TUS, assured delegates of the university's support for the project though the work of the staff and students at LSAD and its ability to reach out to regions across Europe facing similar tourism challenges through RUN-EU – the European university alliance which is currently led by TUS.

“TUS plays a pivotal role in supporting and developing the region’s economy. This conference allows us to bring together some of the leading experts in the area of tourism and sustainability, including our own researchers and lecturers to share their experience and ideas.  Through LSAD we are also proud to work with BLDA and the local community to develop a sustainable approach to tourism and local development, something which deepens our established role as a major provider of education in business, hospitality and tourism.”

Addressing delegates at the conference Pat Dowling, chief executive of Clare County Council, told delegates that Bunratty is an "iconic, internationally renowned brand that could benefit from a new lease of life”.

He added that the local authority was committed to developing local tourism attractions and is currently in discussions with tourism bodies about the recreation and reinvigoration of Bunratty.

Highlighting some of the tourism projects the council is currently supporting he pointed to the importance of the conservation of Bunratty Castle.

“We have a duty of care to protect the castle, and don’t be surprised if you see work beginning on that in the future,” he said.

Limerick event to focus on Irish regional development

Mike Fitzpatrick, dean Limerick School of Art and Design and director of cultural engagement at TUS, added: “Through a series of projects, LSAD with BLDA and the local community will develop a sustainable approach to tourism and local development through intergenerational collaboration and skills exchange, repurposing materials and exploring ways of subtly shifting behaviours to enrich rather the local ecosystems that first made Bunratty attractive."

Mr Fitzpatrick added that the project also aims to investigate how a fairer and more sustainable model of tourism might be achieved, benefiting the economy and livelihoods of those who depend on tourism for their income. 

PICTURES: Brian Arthur