CIE Tours Signs Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism; Appoints New Sustainability Manager
MORRISTOWN, NJ (August 6, 2024) – As part of CIE Tours’ continued commitment to sustainability, the leading tour operator for guided vacations to Ireland and Britain has signed the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism. Uniting travel and tourism behind a common goal, the Glasgow Declaration encourages climate action through partners’ commitment to reduce emissions by at least 50% over the next decade and to achieve net zero by 2050.
As a signatory, CIE Tours has committed to aligning its actions with the Declaration’s designated five pathways, reporting annually on progress made, as well as sharing best practices and solutions for the betterment of the industry.
CIE Tours also announced the appointment of Ken Lyons as Sustainability Manager, based in the company’s office in Dublin, Ireland. Bringing more than 15 years of tourism and hospitality experience to the organization, Lyons will lead the charge in development and oversight of all companywide sustainability strategies to ensure the program’s long-term viability and success.
"We’re committed not only to doing our part to reduce our carbon footprint, but to be among those advancing sustainability practices within our industry," said Stephen Cotter, managing director of CIE Tours. "Our commitment to the Glasgow Declaration and the appointment of Ken Lyons as Sustainability Manager underscores our dedication to championing the future of sustainable travel.” Cotter also noted that CIE Tours has signed the United States Tour Operator Association’s Sustainability Promise.
Lyons will focus on industry relations and forging strong partnerships with the goal of advancing CIE Tours' sustainability agenda; implementation of initiatives that support the organization’s recently developed decarbonization strategy; and adoption of best practices that support both CIE Tours' parent company, CIE Group, and the global community. Lyons’ recent work has included projects like Screen Ireland, which focused on better understanding the impact of carbon emissions within the Irish film and TV industry and development of a decarbonization roadmap for the organization.
To establish a baseline, in 2022 CIE Tours calculated its carbon emissions across its operations, including tours and flights taken by guests. This large-scale effort formed the foundation for the company’s carbon reduction targets with the goal of meeting the following deliverables by 2030:
- 50% reduction in corporate emissions
- 50% reduction in emissions from land arrangements
- 25% reduction in emissions from aviation
To support these goals, CIE Tours has also implemented a pilot program with select industry suppliers to gather data, identify best practices and to establish benchmarks. Initial pilot partners include Guinness Storehouse, Aer Lingus, Dalata Hotels, Hyatt Centric The Liberties, Ballygarry Estate Hotel & Spa, Croke Park Hotel and Cronin’s Coaches, who are running CIE Tours’ 2024 schedule of Irish Gold tours on biofuel (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil; HVO), which includes more than 50 departures.
For more information on CIE Tours' sustainability initiatives and commitments, please visit www.cietours.com/responsible-tourism.
About CIE Tours
Since 1932, CIE Tours has been the premier tour operator for Ireland and Britain vacations, earning a reputation for excellence rooted in its signature Irish hospitality. In more than 90 years of operation, the Morristown, New Jersey-based company has taken more than three million travelers on the vacation of their dreams. Expertly crafted vacations to Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, Iceland, Italy and Spain suit every travel style and taste - from the camaraderie of coach tours and custom group travel to a variety of independent adventures, small group tours and personalized private driver experiences.
CIE Tours takes care of every detail and provides exclusive access, authentic experiences, and in-depth knowledge of each destination. Only CIE Tours offers the “All-In Inclusive Advantage” which guarantees that every experience on your itinerary and most meals are included, so there are never any hidden expenses. Above all, the genuine warmth and expertise of its guides and hosts shines through, with guest satisfaction ratings of 95%. CIE Tours is committed to protecting the heritage, cultural diversity, and economic prosperity of the communities in which they travel, live, and serve. Learn more about CIE Tours’ Responsible Tourism Policy at https://www.cietours.com/responsible-tourism. For more information on CIE Tours, visit www.cietours.com.
Contact:
Shannon Overholser of Redpoint at 212-229-0119 or [email protected].
