Tourism operators are in danger of losing business if they do not become more environmentally aware, a new study has found.
The report, commissioned by the tourism training agency CERT, found that "green tourism" was firmly on the agenda of global tourism businesses but Ireland was "already playing catch-up".
Bord Fáilte visitor attitudes' surveys have shown a slight drop in holidaymakers' satisfaction with the environment in recent years. In 1997, 83 per cent of respondents were "very satisfied" with the "natural unspoilt environment". By 2001, this had fallen to 79 per cent.
Meanwhile, the importance of the environment is increasing for holidaymakers. After "friendly people" and "beautiful scenery", it was the most important factor for tourists considering this State for a holiday in 2001.
The main barriers to the "greening of Irish tourism" are the lack of focus, support structures and awareness, according to the The Green Agenda CERT report launched yesterday.
"If we don't go green, the market will actually disappear on us," said Mr Larry O'Neill of McIver Consulting, which co-authored the report with Patel Tonra.The report found that Ireland was "trailing Europe in relation to environmental management", although there was some evidence of improvement.
"While the natural environment is recognised as being an important component of the Irish tourism product, it is not clear that the industry fully understands the significance of the greening of international tourism," the report stated.
CERT is going to facilitate the setting up of "green clubs" in the State. These clubs would bring hospitality and tourism managers together to promote best practice on green issues.
Mr Eamonn McKeon, CERT chairman, said the industry was not "disastrous" in any one environmental area but there was plenty of room for improvement.
Tourists in key markets such as France and Germany were becoming more environmentally conscious and it was important that their expectations were met, he said, adding that better environmental practices could actually save businesses money, by reducing waste and energy costs.
CERT has anecdotal evidence of some hotels using heat and air-conditioning at the same time. One hotel had a policy of providing enough hot water on a 24-hour basis so that every guest in the hotel could take a hot shower at 4 a.m. if they wished.
Guests were also at fault, Mr McKeon said, as they tended to leave on lights and televisions.
The Green Agenda carried out an audit of three hotels during its research. It found that environmental management was a low priority with managers. Hoteliers had "very little regard" for their waste contractors' credentials and did not have good knowledge about recycling.
Good environmental practice dictates that hotels should not generate more than 1.5 kg of unsorted waste per guest per night but, in the CERT audit, one two-star hotel generated 34.4 kg of waste per guest per night.
Water use should be limited to under 300 litres per guest night but one four-star hotel used 1,359 litres per guest night.
CERT hopes to eventually have a rewards system for tourism businesses with high environmental standards.
