Uncertainty is becoming a constant in the work of public sector tourism professionals. The recent withdrawal of the EU Green Claims Directive from the legislative agenda is just the latest example. After months of preparation and anticipation, it’s suddenly off the table.
For those striving to lead sustainable and regenerative tourism efforts, this kind of policy unpredictability can feel destabilising. What’s required?
In a landscape that shifts as soon as we start to map it, the challenge is changing. It's no longer a challenge of keeping up, but rather a challenge of taking the lead without waiting for certainty.
When external signals falter, confidence and clarity become defining leadership attributes. Building levels of confidence and clarity around sustainable and regenerative tourism that actually allow you to lead, provide stability and build momentum - that's the real challenge now and the really exciting opportunity.
Beir bua,
EU Green Claims Directive Withdrawn: 6 Impacts for Tourism Leadership
Just a couple of weeks ago, the EU Green Claims Directive was unexpectedly withdrawn, leaving a gap where clarity was promised and raising new questions for public sector tourism professionals. This month’s article unpacks six key impacts of the withdrawal, from ongoing certification confusion to the growing need for confident leadership. It’s a timely read for anyone guiding sustainability strategy in a shifting policy landscape.
Leadership Brief: Green Claims Directive Withdrawn
Prefer a concise summary of the article? We’ve created a quick-reference Leadership Brief for public sector tourism professionals. It lists the key impacts of the EU Green Claims Directive withdrawal and offers practical steps you can take now to support your destination with clarity and confidence.
We are now an approved CPD Provider
We're proud to share that The Tourism Space is now officially recognised as a CPD Accredited Provider by the CPD Standards Office.
What does this mean for our clients and learners?
- Our training has been independently assessed and approved as meeting recognised standards for Continuing Professional Development
- Learners can now receive formal CPD Certificates for eligible learning activities
- We're authorised to display the official CPD-accredited logo
This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to the professional growth of those we work with and the quality of our programmes.
Our first CPD-approved programme is a Certificate in Collaborative Destination Leadership, specifically designed for Destination Co-Ordinators and Leaders working on-the-ground in destinations.
Email us if you'd like to know more about the programme
Northern Ireland : Growing a Community of Sustainable Tourism Leaders
We’ve been honoured to support Tourism Northern Ireland’s multi-year commitment to building sustainable and regenerative tourism leadership capacity through the Sustainable Tourism Destinations programme.
The programme is designed and delivered by The Tourism Space and accredited by Ulster University, in a truly innovative three-way partnership.
With four cohorts now complete and a fifth set to commence in the Autumn, a strong community of practice is emerging, equipped with the knowledge, confidence, and shared language to guide the destination forward sustainably.
For tourism operators in Northern Ireland, the call for Expressions of interest is now open for the Autumn 2025 round.
Link to Expression of Interest
Learners from Ards & North Down District Council area (the 4th cohort of Tourism Northern Ireland's Sustainable Tourism Destinations programme) who successfully completed the Certificate in Sustainable Tourism Destinations, with representatives from Tourism Northern Ireland, Ulster University and The Tourism Space
Monthly Minis
The Travel Foundation: Four Big Ideas for Tourism's Climate Transition
The Travel Foundation has released four bold proposals to accelerate tourism’s climate response, including destination-level carbon targets, climate boards, and limits on tourism’s total impact. These ideas aim to shift responsibility from individual travellers to systems-level governance. We expect to hear more about this as The Travel Foundation lead a consultation process from now until the launch of the What Next? Action Agenda at COP30 in November.
Report: Unlocking Innovation for Regenerative Tourism
According to the website of the report publisher, the Future Investment Initiatives Institute (the FII Institute), "The report uncovers real-world case studies and corporate use cases that showcase successful regenerative practices, yet highlights significant barriers to widespread adoption." It's clear, structured with positive ambition and useful reference points. That said, some of the case studies already feel dated, highlighting just how fast the sustainability and regenerative agenda is evolving.
Report: Anti-Tourism Movement to Grow Across Europe in 2025 (Travel Risk Forecast)
We’re noticing that unrest linked to tourism is making headlines more frequently and more forcefully. A recent report from Solace Global highlights how rising rents, housing shortages, and inequality are driving anti-tourism sentiment across Europe. While the focus is often on cities already experiencing overtourism, the patterns described raise important questions for every destination. Policy responses so far have been limited and local, which may reflect how difficult this issue is to address within existing policy tools.
Thought for July
Responses