CIE Tours Enhances Sustainability Efforts with New Leadership

Wednesday, August 7, 2024

As part of its ongoing dedication to sustainability, CIE Tours, a premier operator of guided vacations to Ireland and Britain, has officially endorsed the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism. This declaration unites the travel and tourism sectors around a shared objective: cutting emissions by at least 50% over the next decade and reaching net zero by 2050.

By signing the Glasgow Declaration, CIE Tours commits to following its five designated pathways, reporting annually on its progress, and sharing best practices to enhance the industry’s overall sustainability efforts.

In addition, CIE Tours has announced the appointment of Ken Lyons as Sustainability Manager at its Dublin office. With over 15 years of experience in tourism and hospitality, Lyons will spearhead the development and implementation of the company’s sustainability strategies to ensure their long-term effectiveness.

“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 building industry relationships and forging strong partnerships to advance CIE Tours’ sustainability agenda. His responsibilities include implementing initiatives that support the company’s newly developed decarbonization strategy and adopting best practices that benefit both CIE Tours’ parent company, CIE Group, and the global community. Lyons’ recent projects have involved efforts like Screen Ireland, which aimed to better understand the impact of carbon emissions within the Irish film and TV industry and develop a decarbonization roadmap for the organization.

In 2022, CIE Tours calculated its carbon emissions across its operations, including tours and flights taken by guests, to establish a baseline. This comprehensive effort set the stage for the company’s carbon reduction targets, with the goal of achieving the following by 2030:

• 50% reduction in corporate emissions
• 50% reduction in emissions from land arrangements
• 25% reduction in emissions from aviation

To support these targets, CIE Tours has launched a pilot program with select industry suppliers to gather data, identify best practices, and 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, which are running CIE Tours’ 2024 schedule of Irish Gold tours on biofuel (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil; HVO), encompassing more than 50 departures.

For more information on CIE Tours’ sustainability initiatives and commitments, please contact their office directly.

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