1. Integrating Sustainability into Tourism Education and Training in Ireland: Current Reality and Future Actions
Jane Stacey, Dr Sheila Flanagan & Dr Kevin Griffin
School of Hospitality Management & Tourism
Tourism Research Centre
Dublin Institute of Technology
Research Initiated and Funded by Fáilte Ireland

2. Overview Objectives Context & Rationale Sustainability
Research Approach
Current Irish Reality
Recommendations & Guidelines

3. Project Partners Dublin Institute of Technology
School of Hospitality Management & Tourism
Tourism Research Centre
Fáilte Ireland – National Tourism Development Authority
‘To guide and support the development of a sustainable tourism sector in Ireland’
Human Resource Development Strategy ‘Competing Through People’
Environment Unit
‘Review of Sustainability Issues in Tourism Education & Training’

4. Objectives
Identify and assess Irish validated tourism and hospitality related programmes in order to identify the shortfalls and strengths in relation to sustainability issues within these programmes
Identify international best practice in relation to sustainability content and issues in tourism education and training programmes
Identify and develop suitable content in the area of sustainability, for inclusion in education and training programmes

5. Context & Rationale
Challenge: sustainable future growth & development of Irish tourism
Sustainability needs to be an integral part of the education process
Review coincides with
National Strategy for Education for Sustainable Development (Ireland)
UN Decade for Education for Sustainable Development

6. What is sustainability?

7. Sustainable Tourism - Ireland
‘Sustainable tourism provides a high quality product based on, and in harmony with, a high quality natural heritage. It minimises adverse impacts on local communities, our built heritage, landscapes, habitats and species while supporting social and economic prosperity’
(Dept of the Environment, Heritage & Local Govt, Ireland, 1997)

8. Sustainable Tourism - UNWTO
‘Sustainable tourism development meets the
needs of present tourists and host regions, while
protecting and enhancing opportunities for the
future. It is envisaged as leading to the
management of all resources in such a way that
economic, social and aesthetic needs can be
fulfilled, while maintaining cultural integrity,
essential ecological processes, biological
diversity and life support systems’
(UNWTO,1998)

9. Research Approach

10. Research Elements

11. Research Approach

12. Current Irish Reality – Key Findings

13. Programmatic Content Analysis
Limited explicit identification of sustainability issues
Little or no systematic treatment of sustainability
Dealt with in higher level, elective modules
Can gain qualification with little/no exposure to sustainability issues/concepts
Relevant issues not explicitly addressed from sustainability perspective e.g. waste management
Sustainability most prominent in ‘tourism’
Sustainability - minor element in Hospitality & Culinary Arts e.g.– from statutory perspective
Overall: discretionary incorporation

14. Stakeholder Consultations
Discretion of individual lecturer to incorporate
Prevalence of environmental issues
‘Business case’ perspective
Specific modules on ‘sustainability’ in 4 institutions, planned in 2 institutions – at higher levels
Most likely to be addressed in tourism programmes, followed by hospitality
Very limited in Culinary, Bar & other skills programmes
Overall: greater appreciation of ‘sustainability’ within the tourism framework

15. Programmatic Content Development: Specific Gaps
Consumer Behaviour
Responsible Consumption
Ethics
Holistic overview of programmes - not stand-alone
Staff development/awareness
Sustainability as a mindset, not just a set of tools
Practical/direct application, not just theoretical
Future proofed real skills, not just paying lip service
Mass tourism & sustainability – not just ‘nice niches’
Delivery to consider cutting edge & current literature
Link with best industry codes of practice

16. Recommendations & Guidelines

17. Guidelines & Issues Integrated, holistic approach Flexible
Dedicated module or integrated across modules?
Strategically located
Theoretical consideration, practical application
Sustainability: a misunderstood concept
Sustainability has to be an ongoing debate
‘Sustainability’, not ‘Sustainable Tourism’
Explicit incorporation of sustainability
Triple Bottom Line– percolating all subject areas
Train the trainers

18. Overarching Principles
All students, regardless of level & discipline, should receive grounding in general sustainability issues, in addition to subject specific consideration of sustainability issues relevant to their specialism
Progressive approach to teaching & learning, incorporating both theoretical & practical elements at all levels as appropriate
Dedicated modules addressing sustainability issues, where available, should form part of the core programmatic requirements

19. Overarching Principles
Linkages across modules and throughout the programme should inform the teaching of sustainability and ensure its holistic nature is effectively communicated to students
Institutions own practices e.g. kitchen practices, inform teaching and learning. Schemes such as the Green Fáilte Programme provide practical frameworks

20. Level Appropriate Content
Theoretically Challenging
Practically Embedded
Local to Global
Balance:
Practical & Theoretical
Local & International
Practical, but introduce theoretical concepts
Practical
&
Local

21. Jane Stacey e jane.stacey@dit.ie t +353 1 814 6093 w www.dit.ie
Tourism Research Centre
Dublin Institute of Technology
Cathal Brugha St
Dublin 1
Ireland