Limerick breaks into Top 50 of Global Destination Sustainability Index

Limerick breaking into the Top 50 of Global Destination Sustainability Index was describes as a “testament to the huge amount of work ongoing in the county”. Karen Ronan and Danielle Devaney of the Shannon Conference & Sports Bureau. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick

Limerick is officially one of the most sustainable destinations in the world after having broken into the top 50 of the Global Destination Sustainability Index

Limerick is officially one of the most sustainable destinations in the world after it was confirmed that the county has broken into the top 50 of the Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index.  

Standing at number 41 in the world’s leading sustainability benchmarking and performance improvement programme for destinations, Limerick is now in illustrious company alongside Paris, Singapore, Copenhagen, Melbourne, Paris, Milan, Barcelona, Berlin and Helsinki.

An intensive audit of the county whereby it was assessed under sixty separate indicators across four key areas was facilitated by the Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau, with input and support from Fáilte Ireland, Limerick City and County Council and the local tourism trade.

Limerick is officially one of the most sustainable destinations in the world as the County has broken into the Top 50 of the Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index💚#limerick #sustainabletourism #makeitshannon @conferencesport @Failte_Ireland @FailteIntMedia @richanthon… pic.twitter.com/26tcGrU9OD— #LimerickandProud (@ilovelimerick) October 18, 2023

Karen Ronan, General Manager of the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau said, “This is a huge achievement for Limerick and is testament to the huge amount of work ongoing in the county. Led by our GDS lead Danielle Devaney, the Bureau is committed to building on Limerick’s existing credentials to further support The Shannon Region in achieving its sustainable objectives.”

“Our goal is to further improve awareness and drive the adoption of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the business tourism and events sector of the wider region,” added Ms. Ronan.

Sam Johnston, Manager, Convention Bureau of Ireland, Fáilte Ireland said, “Sustainability and action around the UN SDGs are becoming ever more important to our business events clients.  Through the journey, over a number of years, with the GDS Index we have seen great improvements in our actions that address these demands.  By collaborating to deliver a more sustainable industry will ensure we can continue to welcome international business events to Ireland.”

In the auditing process recently supervised by the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau, Limerick was assessed in four key areas.

Environmental Performance focuses on a destination’s performance pertaining to its policies and infrastructure, such as climate change commitment, carbon emissions, renewable energies, resource and water management, public transport, and air pollution levels.

Social Progress Performance indicates the performance of a destination against indicators of SDG integration, Corruption, Personal Safety, Access to Information and Communications, Health and Wellness, and Inclusivity, using external sources such as the Social Progress Imperative Index, and Corruption Perceptions Index.

Supplier Performance addresses the sustainability commitment and performance of the local meetings’ industry supply chain, including airports, events agencies, hotels, venues, and restaurants.

Destination Management Performance indicates the sustainability commitment of the Convention Bureau, including 69 questions pertaining to maturity of a destination’s sustainability and regeneration strategy, leadership, communication of sustainability initiatives (to support client planners), and the accuracy of their reporting on sustainability operations.

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