Our Sustainability Policy
Our Vision
Is to deliver and market Galway as a destination for international business events. We want the events held here to be planned and delivered with sustainability at the forefront we have all the right ingredients in Galway for a successful and memorable event.
Our Commitment
Making Galway a sustainable destination for international business events is a key goal for the Galway Convention Bureau (GCB). We recognise that many International Associations and Companies want to host events in-line with recognised sustainability standards. GCB is committed to making Galway internationally recognised as a sustainable city for business events. We want to grow tourism sustainably while protecting our natural resources.
Social Inclusion Action Plan
At Galway Convention Bureau, we are committed to fostering a destination that is welcoming, accessible, and inclusive for all. Our Social Inclusion Action Plan focuses on creating inclusive events, supporting accessible tourism, and strengthening neurodiversity awareness across the visitor experience. We champion inclusive hiring practices within our own organisation and actively promote industry-wide learning to ensure that Galway’s tourism and business‑events community reflects the diversity of the people who live, work, and visit here. Through partnerships with local organisations, national programmes, and sector training, we support our industry in building environments where everyone feels represented, respected, and able to participate fully. In 2024, GCB participated in DEI training with the Irish Centre for Diversity. In 2024, GCB promoted the Autism Friendly Galway campaign and In 2024, GCB added inclusive tourism resources to our industry page.
Aligning with the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals
View our Destination Sustainability dashboard here
View our full Sustainability Policy here
Galway Sustainable initiatives and Achievements
The Code of Best Practice
Our principles reflect the research developed from the Burren Tourism Project, which aimed to secure environmental protection and sustainable visitor management, through strategies that are of value to suppliers and communities.
Principle 1: Working Together
We collaborate with all stakeholders to collectively develop Galway as a sustainable tourism destination.
Principle 2: A Cared-for Landscape
We actively participate in conserving our natural and cultural heritage.
Principle 3: A Well-Understood Heritage
We offer quality information and interpretation to communicate our stories and the unique character of our place to guests.
Principle 4 - Vibrant Communities
We work to ensure that tourism makes a positive social contribution so that it benefits our community as well as our guests. We aim to make our services available to the widest possible audience.
Principle 5: Strengthened Livelihoods
We contribute to the local economy by maintaining and supporting local employment, by sourcing services and produce locally wherever possible, and by engaging with other businesses in promoting our region as a sustainable tourism destination
Principle 6: Sustainable Environmental Management (Policy & Planning)
We are guided by our Environmental Policy and we work to an Environmental Action Plan, which includes actions and targets for improvement that are reviewed annually.
Galway Convention Bureau continues to complete the Global Destination Sustainability Index for Galway. Through this movement and with the vision of the GDS-Index to engage, inspire and enable destinations to become more regenerative and sustainable places to visit, meet and thrive in.
Galway entered the index in 2018 and was the first destination to break into the top 25 in Ireland. Galway still remains in the top 40 destinations within the GDS Index at number 25. There are now over 100 destinations globally partaking in the benchmark all with the view to make their destination a greener place to do business.
Review & Commit Activities
A table of measures is annually written with a series of actions that work with ‘The Code’. A Self-Assessment Checklist enables us to scan and assess our current performance and future targets.
Practices & requirements for members
Galway Convention Bureau facilitate regular workshops, working closely with local authorities/associations to share information and training opportunities with our members.
Actions for our members:
Working to obtain 3rd party certification with greenhospitality.ie / sustainabletravelireland.ie
To inform event planners, members are required to highlight their sustainability accreditation within the Bureau’s RFPs
To increase visibility with universal accessibility, our members are required to update information on the Access Earth
Progress Reports are published on receipt of our GDSI ranking and are publicly communicated. Improvements needed are highlighted to our members and local authorities.
Sustainable courses / webinars and upskilling classes are shared and discussed in detail.
2025 - 2030
The aim is to identify the risks, challenges and opportunities that need to be considered, and to take coherent coordinated action.
Evolving a collaborative approach within the industry, responding to market needs and a strong destination management.
Set out ‘universal’ steps for our members to achieve higher sustainable accreditation
Promote the integration for hybrid conferencing to allow events to continue under safety restrictions, and prepare communities of the growing trend with available resources.
Galway’s sustainable strategy
Climate change is recognised as a critical challenge by Galway City Council. Taking proactive action to adjust and prepare for anticipated changes will reduce losses, improve our environment and provide a host of community benefits.
Niamh Stack
Manager
Galway Convention Bureau
This sustainability policy is effective from Jan 2025