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Galway, Ireland

Contact: Niamh Stack

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The GDS-Index is a destination-level programme that measures, benchmarks, and improves the sustainability strategy and performance of tourism and events destinations.

The GDS-Index is aligned with international standards; UN SDGs, GSTC Destination Criteria, UNWTO.

Click here to read more about the benchmarking methodology including data collection and verification, the four benchmarking categories, governance and criteria development and performance scoring methods.

This page highlights each destinations sustainability journey and will showcase their journey.

Performance Overview

The 2024 GDS-Index comprises 77 indicators across four categories. Here is the total score and the score for the four categories for this destination.

Total

0%

Environmental

Social

Supplier

Destination Management Organisation

Environmental

Includes a city's performance pertaining to its policies and infrastructure, such as climate change commitment, carbon emissions, renewable energies, resource and water management, public transport, and air pollution levels.

Social

Indicates the performance of the city against indicators of SDG integration, Corruption, Personal Safety, Access to Information and Communications, Health and Wellness, and Inclusivity, using external sources such as the Social Progress Imperative Index, and Corruption Perceptions Index.

Supplier

Addresses the sustainability commitment and performance of the local meetings' industry supply chain, including airports, events agencies, hotels, venues, and restaurants.

Destination Management Organisation

Indicates the sustainability commitment, including questions pertaining to maturity of a destination's sustainability and regeneration strategy, leadership, communication of sustainability initiatives (to support client planners), and the accuracy of their reporting on sustainability operations.

Sustainability Journey

Summary
Environmental
Supplier
Social

Galway's Tourism Strategy will be monitored over 5 years and continuously assessed to adapt to a range of changes, including Covid-19. The programme and associated annual Action Plans will provide the context for a range of innovative tourism marketing and development plans, as well as the provision for Government funded projects. Tourism is a very important industry for the local economy and communities of Galway. 12-14% of businesses in Galway are involved in tourism and the sector accounts for 10-12% of employment in the city (ITIC, 2015). The actions prioritised in this strategy aim to support and develop visitor experiences, increase visitor dwell time, extend the shoulder season and increase revenue throughout the city, within a framework of environmental management and respecting local communities.

Does Galway Convention Bureau have a Sustainability Strategy?

Does Galway have a sustainable destination certificate?

Does Galway Convention Bureau report on its sustainability performance?

A clear, succinct and ambitious vision for Galway City emerged. This vision, based around Europe 2020 of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, has been driven by Galway City Council through the development of a robust policy framework. To continue to evolve, Galway City must respond to a rapidly changing world. The existing and emerging strengths of Galway must be capitalised upon to secure the city's competitiveness. Digital technologies must be embraced as international and EU emphasis moves onto smart, sustainable cities. Citizen engagement through collaboration, dialogue and participation in local government must be encouraged and all aspects of diversity, cultural identity and expression must be valued. The threats faced by all urban areas, of unemployment, segregation and poverty, must be turned into positive challenges as Galway takes its place as a key driver of economic, social and community development in Europe and beyond.

30%

OF ELECTRICITY
FROM RENEWABLES

41%

OF WASTE
RECYCLED

313 ha

HECTARES OF GREEN
AREA PER 100 000
POPULATION

Our goal is simple – we want to revitalise the industrial methods of tourism. This strategy strongly focusses on managing Galway as a destination by developing its reputation, branding and marketing; building capacity within businesses and communities; developing research; stimulating ingenuity and developing, delivering and managing exceptional experiences. Such an approach requires a collaborative and sustained effort. In preparing this strategy, the Tourism Industry, Local Authorities, Public Bodies and Community organisations believe that Galway offers visitors a unique opportunity to engage with Ireland’s people, language, heritage, food, culture and landscape through authentic, sustainable and unforgettable experiences.

41%

OF HOTEL ROOMS
SUSTAINABILITY
CERTIFIED

100%

OF VENUES
SUSTAINABILITY
CERTIFIED

9%

OF PCOS/DMCS
SUSTAINABILITY
CERTIFIED

Galway is a growing city. The population of the city has grown from 47,000 in 1986 to currently stand at 75,529 and the city has previously had the title of the fastest growing city in Europe. Galway is a cultural, creative city. The arts flourish, with its bohemian and European twist, involving the community and encouraging creativity. Galway is a multi-cultural city. Galway is recognised internationally as a city which celebrates diversity. According to Census, Galway City is the most multi-cultural location in Ireland with 19.4% of its residents recorded as non-Irish, compared to a national average of 12%. It is also Ireland's only bilingual city with a strong history and tradition of the Irish language Galway City and County have natural advantages in terms of location of higher education institutions, public research organisations, a diverse industrial base, a creative economy with an international reputation, and a distinct identity. 25% of City’s population are students with over 11,000 individuals employed within the education sector of Galway. With established links to universities and R&D institutions, there are high levels of educational attainment and skills throughout Galway. The county’s richness of culture coupled with diversified sectors are key elements of place-based innovation. From these foundations, there are growing business start-ups, which are evident in Galway’s ICT and food sectors.

INCLUSION SCORE ON SOCIAL PROGESS INDEX

PERSONAL SAFETY SCORE ON SOCIAL PROGESS INDEX

SCORE ON CORRUPTION PERCEPTION INDEX

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