Circular Economy for Regenerative Tourism
Meet The Team
Mary Rose Stafford
Dr. Aisling Ward
Dr. Sophie Price
Ms. Fiona Scott-Hayward
Mr. Fergus Dunne
Ms. Shirley Millar
Dr. Noel Murray
Dr Aodhan Newsholme
Ann Fitzgerald
About
Circular Economy for Regenerative Tourism (CERT) is a collaborative project funded under the Technological Universities Transfer Fund programme (TUTF). The primary objective of this proposal is to build research capacity in sustainable, innovative rural tourism experiences underpinned by the constructs of the Circular Economy (CE) and regenerative tourism in the Departments of Hotel, Culinary Arts & Tourism (Kerry) and Tourism and Hospitality (Cork).
Regenerative Tourism is about leaving a destination in a better condition than when you arrived, "A concept that goes beyond "not damaging" the environment and that looks to actively revitalise and regenerate it, resulting in a positive impact on local communities and economies” (activesustainability.com).
The Circular Economy is "a systems solution framework that tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution” (ellenmacarthurfoundation.org). This approach supports a Regenerative tourism agenda by supporting the rethinking of production & consumption patterns, improving of environmental quality and creating of new business models.
CERT research will drive a resilient and sustainable tourism ecosystem with enhanced capacity to meet evolving consumer needs, address environmental issues and provide deliverable practical outcomes to industry. By its nature, this project is multidisciplined. The tourism industry is complex, incorporating public agencies and private industry, covering a variety of sectors and connecting with multiple other industries and value chains. This facilitates greater scope for research in a variety of domains e.g. tourism carbon footprint, environmental, social and economic impacts, transport, goods and supply chains, agriculture, services, accommodation, food, beverage, construction and culture.
Although initiatives exist to assist businesses in becoming more environmentally sustainable, it still remains a niche focus within the tourism industry with little or no strategic vision for the future. MTU’s region relies more on tourism than any other in the country with up to 20% of the workforce employed in the sector (KCC). Therefore, we are perfectly positioned to address this deficit, championing a regenerative framework for tourism to be rolled out nationally, providing knowledge and best practice initiatives to create a more sustainable tourism sector and visitor experience. MTU has strong local stakeholder engagement in the tourism sector and these established relationships will build and fast-track our research agenda.
Current Projects/Activities
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CE4RT (Circular Economy for Regenerative Tourism) was an EU co-funded project to directly support tourism SMEs transitioning to a circular and regenerative tourism business model thus enabling the future resilience of this sector.
This collaborative project supported a network of tourism SMEs across five partner European countries (Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Poland and The Netherlands) in the areas of Sustainable Practice, the Circular Economy and Regenerative Tourism.
The project had an overall budget of 1.17 million Euro funded through the European Innovation Council and SME’s Executive Agency (EISMEA) Union Single Market Programme – COSME-2021-TOURSME.
The CE4RT programme funded 80 selected tourism SMEs from the 5 partner countries to complete the following activities:
- Training in sustainable and regenerative tourism
- One-to one coaching – To develop a sustainability action/implementation plan
- Certification – Option to pursue sustainability certification
- Networking – Participate with like-minded tourism SMEs to share learning and the sustainability journey
To find out more about the project, partners, SMEs and to access project resources and digital toolkit please visit the project website https://ce4rt.euproject.site/
Project Duration: 01.01.2023 – 31.01.2025
Project Co-ordinator: Munster Technological University
Project Website: https://ce4rt.euproject.site/
Project LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/ce4rt/
Project Contact at MTU: Fiona Scott-Hayward
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DIBEST is an Interreg Atlantic Area co-funded project across 4 partner countries - Ireland, France, Portugal and Spain.
DIBEST aims to support tourism microenterprises in the Atlantic coastal region by adopting digital innovations. This will enable them to increase their competitiveness, market access, and environmental sustainability.
The project focuses on family-run and multigenerational businesses, aiming to improve the economy and society of the peripheral region.
Project Duration: 03.07.2023-03.07.2026
Project Co-ordinator: Western Development Commission
Project Website: https://dibestinterreg.com/
Project Contact at MTU: Fiona Scott-Hayward
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This Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic project will explore how innovative tourism revenue transfer models can directly support local communities and develop transformative tourism experiences.
Led by the University of Lapland, Ireland are represented by MTU, Leave No Trace Ireland and Visit Cork on the project.
Project Duration: 01.04.2025-31.03.2028
Project Co-ordinator: University of Lapland
Project Website: https://www.interreg-npa.eu/projects/return/home/
Project LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/interreg-npa/
Project Contact at MTU: Dr. Aisling Ward
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This Master of Arts in Regenerative Tourism will provide you with the opportunity to become an active player in the transition to Regenerative and Sustainable tourism.
You will learn how to deploy regenerative tourism strategies to innovate tourism development for a more holistic, balanced approach and deliver net positive benefits for communities and the environment through applied projects. The programme design incorporates three key pillars of learning.
MTU Course Information
Module Details: MA in Regenerative Tourism Modules
Award Type: NFQ Level 9
Delivery Mode: Online
Duration: 3 semesters (Master of Arts in Regenerative Tourism - 90 credits)A FLEXIBLE FRAMEWORK TOWARDS A MASTER QUALIFICATION
We have designed a suite of programmes to facilitate candidates who do not wish to commit to a full master award. The following programmes can be taken individually, and all contribute towards a master award if candidates wish to progress.
- MTU Postgraduate Diploma in Arts in Regenerative Tourism (8 modules – 60 credits)
- MTU Postgraduate Certificate in Regenerative Tourism (4 modules – 30 credits)
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This module explores regenerative tourism and circular economy as it relates to tourism. Ideal for those new to the subject or seeking to update their knowledge and skillset.
- Learn from a team of experts, practitioners and academics who are leading EU and international projects in regenerative tourism at MTU.
- Collaborate with like-minded people and international thought leaders
- Interactive sessions and group activities
- Weekly online tutorial
- Digital tools for group work and collaboration
MTU Course Information
Module Details: Regenerative Tourism for SMEs Module Description
Award Type: NFQ Level 9
Delivery Mode: Online
Duration: 12 weeks, part-timeNext Start Date: September 2025
Cost: Free or part-funded places available. Subsidised fee €145
Applications: Email parttimekerry@mtu.ieFurther information:
Visit: Regenerative Tourism for SMEs Website
Publications & Case Studies
Tourism Networks as a mechanism for degrowth: The case of the Burren EcoTourism Network in Ireland
Journal of EcoTourism - Published Research Article
Dr. Aisling Ward and Shirley Millar
A regenerative approach to tourism: Learnings from community enterprises
Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism - Published Research Article
Dr. Sophie Price, Steve Taylor (UHI), Kendra Turnbull (UHI), Mary Rose Stafford
A regenerative approach to tourism SMEs: Five constructs for a regenerative tourism journey
The Routledge Handbook of Regenerative Tourism - Published Research Article
Dr. Aisling Ward, Mary Rose Stafford, Fiona Scott-Hayward, Sophie Price
Sustainability Case Study: Parknasilla Resort & Spa
Discover Kerry - Published Case Study
This case study was prepared by the CERT team in conjunction with the Parknasilla Resort & Spa and their project manager.
The CERT team are open to future collaborations to share best practice stores from the tourism industry with a wider audience. Please contact our team by email regenerativetourism@mtu.ie with any queries.
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The International Regenerative Tourism Conference 2024 combined the final event of the EU co-funded CE4RT project and the academic conference THRIC2024 (Tourism and Hospitality in Ireland).
Taking place over two days in Dingle in November 2024, over 180 delegates from over eight countries, the conference included keynote speakers, panel discussions, presentations, "workshops on wheels" with site visits and academic presentation sessions.
MTU: Event Website
Events supported by the MTU Enterprise & Innovation Office
- "The Great Debate: Can Tourism Really be Regenerative?" - sponsored by MTU Enterprise & Innovation Month 2024 - took place March 8 2024
- From "Big Picture" to "Tourism Specific" - Regenerative Tourism in Action Hackathon sponsored by MTU Enterprise & Innovation Month 2025 - took place March 12 2025
Recording
"The Great Debate: Can Tourism Really be Regenerative?" Webinar sponsored by MTU Innovation & Enterprise Month 2024, took place on March 8th 2024.
Contact
For more information on the MA in Regenerative Tourism, any of our research projects or future collaboration, please contact:
(email)