The Tourism Space Delivers Certified Sustainability Programme for Northern Ireland Tourism Businesses

 The Tourism Space™ is proud to mark a milestone moment for sustainable tourism in Northern Ireland, as two more cohorts of local businesses have completed the Certificate in Sustainable Tourism Practice in Destinations, accredited by Ulster University and facilitated through Tourism Northern Ireland’s Sustainable Tourism Business Programme. 

Designed and delivered by The Tourism Space, this immersive learning experience guided 20 businesses from the Ards & North Down and the  Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon borough council regions through a 12-module journey. The programme was crafted to foster leadership, confidence, and collaboration, supporting participants to embed sustainable tourism practice in ways that were both practical and place-specific. 

Participants engaged in a carefully designed mix of in-person workshops, online learning, one-to-one mentoring and a shared field trip. Each business developed a tailored Sustainability Action Plan, applying their learning to key areas such as climate action, biodiversity, accessibility, outdoor ethics and purpose-led marketing. These plans not only support operational improvements but also formed part of the assessment leading to a Level 4 Certificate of Achievement awarded by Ulster University. 

Speaking about the programme, Tina O’Dwyer, Founder and CEO of The Tourism Space, said: 

“It has been a privilege to walk alongside these business owners and managers as they explored what sustainability means for their work, their place, and their future. Their energy, creativity and commitment to collective progress has been inspiring.”  

“We are grateful to Tourism Northern Ireland and Ulster University for their continued leadership in making certified, practical learning journeys like this possible. When local collaboration meets national vision, real change becomes possible.” 

Gatherings at The Old Inn in Crawfordsburn and the Armagh City Hotel brought each cohort together to share reflections, present their plans, and strengthen their peer networks. Among those completing the programme were long-standing businesses, new ventures, and visitor attractions with each bringing their own insight and leadership to the conversation. 

For The Tourism Space, this work is part of a broader commitment to supporting public sector partners and local businesses in embedding regenerative, place-based approaches to tourism. Through accredited programmes, bespoke learning spaces, and facilitation, the consultancy works to bridge strategy and practice in ways that are both credible and catalytic. 

Both cohorts now join a growing community of businesses across Northern Ireland who are shaping a shared path towards a more sustainable visitor economy. 

As a certified B Corp, The Tourism Space is proud to contribute to this work and to highlight the role that learning, leadership and local pride can play in building a future-fit tourism system.