Our Chief Executive Brendan Kenny recently met with Minister Peter Burke and his team at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism & Employment.

The meeting was an opportunity to discuss the evolving landscape of outdoor activity tourism, and it was an encouraging and productive conversation. We spoke openly about both the challenges facing the sector and the significant opportunities ahead, particularly as more visitors seek meaningful, nature-based experiences that support wellbeing and local communities.

Key challenges such as infrastructure pressures, skills development, seasonality, and the need for sustainable land and water access were acknowledged. Importantly, there was a shared understanding that these issues are solvable through collaboration—bringing together government, local authorities, land managers, and outdoor activity providers to create practical solutions.

The opportunities are substantial. Outdoor activity tourism has the potential to drive year-round economic benefit, support rural communities, and position our destination as a world leader in sustainable, high-quality experiences. The Minister expressed support for reinforcing the value of the sector in the wider tourism offering.

Together, we can unlock the full potential of outdoor activity tourism in Ireland in a way that benefits visitors, businesses, and the environment alike.

We appreciate the support from the Department and for our sector and wider industry.