The Burren Ecotourism Network in Co. Clare has received the ‘Best Community Tourism Project’ accolade by Lonely Planet. The global travel company announced the news in its prestigious Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2021.
Reflecting how the world and attitudes towards travel have changed this year, Lonely Planet has completely re-imagined its annual Best in Travel choices. For 2021, Lonely Planet has decided to recognise the places and people demonstrating a genuine commitment to community, diversity and sustainability across the world.
Naming the Burren Ecotourism Network one of ten winners in its new ‘Best in Community’ category, Lonely Planet described it as “an impressive community collaboration of local enterprises which has transformed Ireland’s Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark into a global leader for sustainable tourism”.
Commenting on the Lonely Planet accolade, Simon Haden of Gregans Castle says “We are overjoyed to have our local community’s work in ecotourism recognised on an international level. We started this journey 12 years ago but we see our work as on going and are fully committed to continuing our efforts in the area of sustainability.”
Gregans Castle are founding members of the Burren Ecotourism Network. It is B.E.N’s long-term vision that the Burren will be a premier, internationally-recognised ecotourism region, ensuring the future economic and social growth and sustainable development of its communities, environment and heritage. B.E.N. aims to become a recognisable network of enterprises in the Burren, all of whom have achieved independent accreditation, demonstrate ecotourism ‘best practice’, positively discriminate in each other’s favour, provide ‘one voice’ representation on issues impacting the Burren (where appropriate) and inspire conservation activism.