Roadmap for sustainable Cruise-Hire published

Study looks to support a transition to more sustainable practices

Fáilte Ireland has today published a comprehensive study to rejuvenate and sustainably develop the cruise-hire sector in Ireland while minimising the industry's carbon footprint into the future.

The 'Feasibility Study on the Future Development and Greening of the Cruise Hire Sector' looks to support a transition to more sustainable practices and develop Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, through the Shannon Navigation and Shannon-Erne Waterway, as a major European “eco-tourism destination”.

A roadmap for the sector's development up to 2033, the KPMG study was developed in collaboration with Waterways Ireland, the Irish Boat Rental Association and Local Authorities and aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, and the Government's Climate Action Plan 2021.

A key recommendation from the study is to transition cruise-hire fleets away from diesel to engines powered by electricity or hydrogen. Some early adopters in this area have already successfully transitioned from diesel to hydronated vegetable oil this year, a practice that is being positively viewed by the wider sector.

The roadmap also recommends adopting eco-friendly practices and infrastructure improvements to minimise environmental impact; expanding and enhancing existing marinas to meet increasing demand; enhancing customer experience through the development of interactive maps; and fostering collaboration between public and private stakeholders for successful implementation.

Fáilte Ireland brought key stakeholders together in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim for the inaugural meeting of an Implementation Group to discuss the execution of the plan. This meeting marked the beginning of a collaborative effort between cruise hire operators, the Irish Boat Rental Association, Waterways Ireland, the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland and Local Authorities located along the Shannon Navigation and Shannon-Erne Waterway to help the cruise hire sector to develop more sustainably in the future.

Speaking at the initial meeting Paul Keeley, Director of Regional Development at Fáilte Ireland, said his organisation is committed to the sustainable development of tourism across the country and that the Shannon Navigation and Shannon-Erne Waterway are a “key asset” in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.

“It’s important that we look for every opportunity to innovate, improve and enhance our tourism offering across the region, to attract both domestic and international visitors. This feasibility study offers a valuable roadmap to develop the cruise hire sector and the destination up to 2033, ensuring that sustainability is our primary focus.”

Brian Treacy, Western Regional Manager at Waterways Ireland stated that the study is “ambitious” in its aims to for sustainable development and growth across the cruising sector with a key focus on the “greening” of the industry.

Steve Conlon, Director of Irish Boat Rental Association remarked that the study represents an “important roadmap” for the future of the industry “not only from the boating point of view” but as a guide for the future investment and to develop Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands into a major European “eco-tourism destination”.

IBRA members have already “embarked on a sustainable tourism voyage” he said, and this newlyt published study will provide us with a “valuable chart with which to navigate” the future of boating on the Shannon Navigation and Shannon-Erne Waterway.

“We have already put in place some of the recommendations contained in this study and we look forward to working with Fáilte Ireland and Waterways Ireland to develop the cruise hire sector to be fully aligned with all of the brand values of the Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands tourism destination brand.”