The famous Inspiring Sustainable Tourism Conference is scheduled to happen at Killeavy Castle Estate in Co Armagh on Thursday, 22 January 2026. This will be the first occasion that the conference is hosted in Northern Ireland and it will be backed by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. The main topic of the conference is Climate Action, Communit, and Collaboration. It is intended to unite the leaders of the two industries – tourism and business to check together new and green practices and solutions in the tourism industry.
Now in its seventh year, the Inspiring Sustainable Tourism Conference will offer a unique platform for experts, professionals, and stakeholders to engage in insightful discussions about regenerative tourism. The event is being organised by the Sustainable Tourism Network (STN), previously known as Sustainable Travel Ireland, alongside its newly launched sister company, the Sustainable Business Network.
A Milestone for Sustainable Tourism in Northern Ireland
Killeavy Castle Estate’s selection as the venue for this year’s conference is a significant milestone in the promotion of sustainable tourism in Northern Ireland. The estate, which is known for its commitment to eco-friendly practices and sustainable hospitality, is the perfect setting to explore the future of tourism, focusing on local communities, heritage preservation, and environmental responsibility.
The estate’s owners, Robin and Mick Boyle, have been pioneering sustainability through initiatives such as solar panels, native tree planting, and biodiversity restoration projects across the 365-acre site. These efforts earned the estate the title of Sustainable Hospitality and Tourism Business of the Year in 2024 and 2025.
Noteworthy Speakers and Panelists
This year’s conference will feature an impressive lineup of thought leaders from both the tourism and business communities. The agenda includes experts who will share their insights on climate justice, sustainability, and social responsibility. Notable contributors include:
- Seán McCabe, Head of Climate Justice and Sustainability at Bohemian Football Club, who has worked extensively on projects like the Bohemian Climate Co-operative.
- Kellie-Ann Hoey, Director of Corporate Communications and Responsible Business at SHS Group, who will highlight the company’s sustainability and community engagement initiatives.
- Adrian Martin, Director of Hospitality at Killeavy Castle Estate, who will showcase the estate’s luxury hospitality efforts integrated with sustainable practices.
Conference Focus: Empowering Businesses for Sustainability
The conference aims to empower businesses by educating and equipping them with the tools they need to integrate sustainability into their operations. According to Rob Rankin, Director of STN, businesses must respond to growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible products and services. He emphasized that sustainable tourism is not just about reducing the negative environmental impact but also about ensuring that tourism contributes positively to local communities and the economy.
The Sustainable Tourism Network advocates for a triple-bottom-line approach, where businesses must balance economic health, environmental protection, and social responsibility to create a lasting positive impact. This approach ensures that tourism remains inclusive, ethical, and conscious of its effects on both the environment and local cultures.
Killeavy Castle Estate’s Commitment to Sustainability
Killeavy Castle Estate is an example of how businesses can integrate sustainability into the core of their operations. The estate’s £1.5 million landscape restoration project is aimed at improving the local environment and biodiversity by rewilding woodlands and planting native broadleaf species. These efforts contribute significantly to the estate’s carbon-positive initiatives, which aim to help the estate and surrounding areas combat climate change.
The estate’s commitment to sustainability extends to its culinary offerings, with a farm-to-fork model that brings produce directly from the estate’s gardens and farm to its restaurants. This model not only reduces food miles but also supports the local economy by sourcing ingredients from local suppliers.
Engaging with Local Communities
In addition to its environmental initiatives, Killeavy Castle Estate places great importance on the local community. The estate’s efforts to create job opportunities and partnerships with local businesses demonstrate how sustainable tourism can be a catalyst for community development. As Mick Boyle shared, “Sustainability and regenerative tourism efforts are at the core of everything we do. We are committed to delivering a luxury experience while also protecting and enhancing our natural environment.”
This message resonates strongly with the Sustainable Tourism Network, which advocates for a tourism model that benefits both visitors and host communities. The conference will provide ample opportunity for delegates to learn from Killeavy Castle Estate’s approach and explore how these strategies can be implemented in their own businesses.
A Call to Action for the Tourism Industry
As global tourism continues to grow, sustainable practices are becoming a key priority for industry players. According to Booking.com’s 2025 Travel and Sustainability Report, 84 percent of travellers consider sustainability important when planning their trips, a sharp increase from just 42 percent in 2016. Furthermore, travellers are now more aware of the impact tourism has on local communities and are keen to support businesses that promote local culture and environmental stewardship.
Final Thoughts
The Inspiring Sustainable Tourism Conference at Killeavy Castle Estate provides a great chance for companies and leaders in the tourism industry to meet and find sustainable solutions for the future together. This event, focusing on climate change action, community partnership, and sustainable tourism, will have a substantial influence on the practice of tourism in Northern Ireland and elsewhere. Killeavy Castle Estate through this conference keeps on leading the way in encouraging green tourism and regenerative practices that are advantageous to the environment as well as the local community.
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