Burren Visitor Info Eco Tourism

Of the several hundred thousand people who visit the Burren every year, a high proportion are attracted primarily by the region’s pristine natural environment and rich heritage. Many of these visitors engage in outdoor activities such as hill walking, caving, rock climbing, cycling etc.

The popular and recently extended ‘Burren Way’ is a favourite route of many visitors, though many hillwalkers use lands outside of this route, often attracted by the vast archaeological heritage found in the area. The network of green roads and famine roads found in the Burren are also a great resource for the outdoor recreationalist. Other significant activities in the Burren include horseriding, fishing, shooting and a range of watersports.
   
The small villages of the Burren - particularly Ballyvaughan, Kilfenora, Carran and Doolin are heavily dependent on tourism, as are many rural households, particularly those who are involved in the provision of accommodation. Tourism is in turn reliant on these rural communities, as it is through their farming traditions that the quality of the natural and cultural landscape of the Burren - from orchid-rich grasslands to ancient field walls – is maintained.

Today, many of the farm families of the Burren are leaving the land, and this is a cause of some concern for the management of the region’s heritage. But can tourism, in particular nature-based tourism, help to maintain these communities and their heritage?
   
One of the objectives of Burrenbeo is to help promote the Burren as a haven for Ecotourism - 'ecologically and socially responsible nature-based tourism that fosters environmental appreciation and understanding' while contributing to the local economy.

The provision of physical and intellectual access to the landscape is the key to the development of a sustainable Eco-tourism industry in the Burren, as the well-informed and sympathetic visitor will be in a far stronger position to pursue activities that will support the communities of the Burren as well as respecting this fragile landscape.
    
After many years  of promoting the Burren as an Eco-tourism destination, Burrenbeo is delighted that the Burren finally has an  umbrella organisation in place  to support the promotion of  Eco- Tourism.  Burren Eco-Tourism  is a network of businesses who promote “Responsible travel to natural areas that conserve the environment and improve the well-being of local people” while providing really great holiday experiences for  visitors.

This network of businesses show their commitment to ecotourism principles by:

• Using environmentally sustainable practices
• Bringing people into nature
• Promoting our natural and cultural heritage
• Contributing to conservation
• Maximising benefits for local communities
• Ensuring visitor satisfaction
• Marketing responsibly
• Increasing cultural respect and awareness

To see what Burren based businesses offer EcoHolidays, please click here
To see what EcoHoliday Experiences are on offer, please click here

Visitor Payback Scheme
Each year 1% of the total annual income of Heart of Burren Walks goes to an environmental or community group in the region. The chosen benefactor in 2010 was Burren Beo – the Burren's only heritage and landscape trust. Please visit http://heartofburrenwalks.com/social-and-environmental-policy for more information on this Visitor Payback Scheme. Burrenbeo would love to hear from other businesses in the Burren who would like to support Burrenbeo through this or other  schemes. please email trust@burrenbeo.com