"It is a well-deserved accolade, recognising all of their hard work to become a global leader for sustainable tourism."

Lonely Planet has named the Burren EcoTourism Network as the Best Community Tourism Project in its Best in Travel picks for 2021. The award comes at the end of an unprecedented year for travel and the Irish tourism industry. It means that the small tourism network in Clare has been named in the top 30 places, people and tourism projects in the world for 2021 by the leading travel publication. Around 60 local enterprises have collaborated in recent years and have transformed Ireland's Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark into one of the global leaders of sustainable tourism, something which impressed the judges at Lonely Planet. "Joining together to promote slow tourism, local engagement and a greater responsibility for a more sustainable future for all in the area," Lonely Planet wrote. "All enterprises subscribe to the Burren & Cliffs of Moher Geopark 'Code of Sustainable Practice’. This is an online platform that measures waste output, water consumption and energy usage and encourages each business to make reductions in these areas. The Code of Practice is the only one of its kind in Ireland." The award is the culmination of a lot of hard work by those in the area and has been described as "really good news" by Tourism Ireland. "It is a well-deserved accolade, recognising all of their hard work to become a global leader for sustainable tourism," Tourism Ireland CEO Niall Gibbons said. "I would also like to thank Lonely Planet for the wonderful support they have shown the island of Ireland over the years. "In what has been a devastating year for travel and tourism, this accolade is really good news and will surely inspire travellers everywhere to put the Burren, Co Clare and the island of Ireland on their holiday wish-list – when the time is right." Commenting on the new guide, Lonely Planet CEO Luis Cabrera said: "Travel in 2021 and beyond will be a much more considerate exercise than it has been ever before. "With travellers cautiously re-engaging with the world and focusing on ensuring their impact is safe and positive for host communities, we have decided to highlight destinations and individuals that truly enable visitors to make genuine contributions through regenerative travel."