The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and the George Washington University International Institute of Tourism Studies have published the new Adventure Tourism Development Index (ATDI).
Ireland is ranked at 13 of the 186 countries evaluated (no movement from previous), which puts us in the top 7% in the world, and is a credit to the quality of offering delivered by IAAT members. Germany tops the index, with France and Switzerland making up the top 3.
The ATDI evaluates countries across nine key pillars: Sustainable Development, Safety, Health, Climate Resilience, Natural Resources, Cultural Resources, Entrepreneurship, Infrastructure, and Image.
Within the Entrepreneurship pillar, Ireland ranked 4th, just behind Singapore, New Zealand and Denmark.
Please read the article HERE and the report itself HERE.
Brendan Kenny, Chief Executive of Ireland’s Association for Adventure Tourism (IAAT, the representative body for the sector), responded to the publication of the index:
“We’re so pleased and proud to see Ireland rank strongly in this ATTA index again. It’s testament to our growing sector which drives over €1bn of revenue into the country each year. I congratulate our amazing members, and we look forward to working with them to further enhance this emerging sector in the tourism space. Furthermore, the fact that Ireland has been ranked 4th in the sector for entrepreneurship is a credit to the quality and personality of the product our members are delivering”.
AN INCREASINGLY COMPETITIVE SPACE
Mr. Kenny went on to say, “We would however urge the incoming Government to build on this relatively strong ranking by removing obstacles to survival and growth, to ensure that we maintain and improve on this current position. It should also be noted that, in an increasingly competitive space, many other countries developing their adventure tourism product.
We need to see continued focus on the challenges with insurance, funding of international marketing and improved access to our unique outdoor environment.” Ireland ranked above Iceland, the United States, Finland and Sweden in the ATDI, countries often referenced for having a reputation for world class adventure tourism.
