Circular Economy for Regenerative Tourism
Meet The Team
Mary Rose Stafford
Dr. Aisling Ward
Dr. Sophie Price
Ms. Fiona Scott-Hayward
Mr. Fergus Dunne
Ms. Shirley Millar
Dr. Noel Murray
About
Circular Economy for Regenerative Tourism (CERT) is a collaborative project funded under the Technological Universities Transfer Fund programme (TUTF). The primary objective of this proposal is to build research capacity in sustainable, innovative rural tourism experiences underpinned by the constructs of the Circular Economy (CE) and regenerative tourism in the Departments of Hotel, Culinary Arts & Tourism (Kerry) and Tourism and Hospitality (Cork).
Regenerative Tourism is about leaving a destination in a better condition than when you arrived, "A concept that goes beyond "not damaging" the environment and that looks to actively revitalise and regenerate it, resulting in a positive impact on local communities and economies” (activesustainability.com).
The Circular Economy is "a systems solution framework that tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution” (ellenmacarthurfoundation.org). This approach supports a Regenerative tourism agenda by supporting the rethinking of production & consumption patterns, improving of environmental quality and creating of new business models.
CERT research will drive a resilient and sustainable tourism ecosystem with enhanced capacity to meet evolving consumer needs, address environmental issues and provide deliverable practical outcomes to industry. By its nature, this project is multidisciplined. The tourism industry is complex, incorporating public agencies and private industry, covering a variety of sectors and connecting with multiple other industries and value chains. This facilitates greater scope for research in a variety of domains e.g. tourism carbon footprint, environmental, social and economic impacts, transport, goods and supply chains, agriculture, services, accommodation, food, beverage, construction and culture.
Although initiatives exist to assist businesses in becoming more environmentally sustainable, it still remains a niche focus within the tourism industry with little or no strategic vision for the future. MTU’s region relies more on tourism than any other in the country with up to 20% of the workforce employed in the sector (KCC). Therefore, we are perfectly positioned to address this deficit, championing a regenerative framework for tourism to be rolled out nationally, providing knowledge and best practice initiatives to create a more sustainable tourism sector and visitor experience. MTU has strong local stakeholder engagement in the tourism sector and these established relationships will build and fast-track our research agenda.
Current Projects
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Circular Economy for Regenerative Tourism (CE4RT) is an EU (EISMEA) co-funded project across 5 partner countries in Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Poland and The Netherlands to directly support SMEs transitioning to circular and regenerative tourism business models.
We are delighted to congratulate and welcome our 80 tourism SMEs from Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Poland and The Netherlands who have been selected for the CE4RT EU co-funded programme. These businesses are currently participating in a FREE training course in circular economy, sustainability and regenerative tourism. They will also receive €8250 per business towards coaching/certification/networking on their sustainability journey.
For more details and to follow the progress of the programme, please see the
The CERT research team at MTU are delighted to co-ordinate the CE4RT programme and partner with
- The Tourism Space
- Dingle Peninsula Tourism Alliance
- Iceland Tourism Cluster
- Ammattiopisto Samiedu
- Danmar Computers
- Business Development Friesland
and look forward to welcoming tourism SMEs onto the programme.
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Digital Innovation for Blue Economy and Social Tourism (DIBEST) is an Interreg Atlantic Area co-funded project across 4 partner countries - Ireland, France, Portugal and Spain.
DIBEST aims to support tourism microenterprises in the Atlantic coastal region by adopting digital innovations. This will enable them to increase their competitiveness, market access, and environmental sustainability.
The project focuses on family-run and multigenerational businesses, aiming to improve the economy and society of the peripheral region.
Project Duration: 03.07.2023-03.07.2026
Project Co-ordinator: Western Development Commission
Project Partners:
Empresa Municipal de Iniciativas y Actividades Empresariales de Málaga S.A., Parque Tecnológico de Andalucía S.A., Ass Pole Competi Transac Elec Securisees, RDI Hub, EM Normandie Business School, Sines Tecnopolo, Munster Technological University, Asociación Galega de Actividades Náuticas-AGAN+, NERA, Região de Turismo do Algarve, Kerry Tourism Industry Federation, Universidade do Algarve, Universidad de Málaga, Cultural Roadmapp, SPL Développement Touristique du Cotentin
Project Actions
The DIBEST project encompasses a range of work packages designed to holistically support tourism microenterprises:
Capacity Building: Establishing a knowledge base, identifying best practices, and conducting a training needs analysis. Developing Supports: Crafting tailored support mechanisms for tourism microenterprises to enhance their operational efficiency and market reach. Transnational Network: Building a transnational network of business partners and tourism organisations to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Technology Adoption & Scale-up: Creating a programme for knowledge transfer and assistance to facilitate technology adoption and scaling of business operations.
Communication Strategy: Implementing a comprehensive communication strategy to ensure the adoption, demonstration, transferability, and sustainability of the project’s initiatives.
Press Release for Project Launch by www.westerndevelopment.ie
Current Activities
- European and national funding applications e.g. COSME and INTERREG, Ireland-Scotland Bilateral Network Grant, Innovation Voucher programme
- Industry collaboration and events
- Development of a taught
- Case studies
- The CERT team compiled this case study in conjunction with the Parknasilla Resort & Spa and their project manager.
- The CERT team are open to future collaborations to share best practice stories from the tourism industry with a wider audience.
Recording
"The Great Debate: Can Tourism Really be Regenerative?" Webinar sponsored by MTU Innovation & Enterprise Month 2024, took place on March 8th 2024.
Contact
For more information on the MA in Regenerative Tourism, any of our research projects or future collaboration, please contact:
(email)