Leave No Trace Ireland Partners with MTU and Visit Cork in new European project
Leave No Trace Ireland is proud to partner with Munster Technological University (MTU) and Visit Cork on the Return Project, a €1.6 million initiative driving regenerative tourism across Northern Europe.
This three-year project, funded by the Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme, brings together tourism research institutions, organizations, and environmental NGOs to explore innovative tourism tax models that ensure local infrastructure, conservation, and community resilience are supported through sustainable tourism practices.
Ireland is already at the forefront of regenerative tourism, having secured €68 million in EU Just Transition funding to support sustainable tourism initiatives in the Midlands. Discussions on introducing a tourism tax are ongoing, despite some opposition from the hospitality and tourism industries.
As a key partner on the project, Leave No Trace Ireland will collaborate with MTU to explore how tourism revenue can empower visitors, support local communities, and protect cultural and natural heritage.
Leave No Trace Ireland CEO, Maura Kiely said: “It is more important than ever to protect and care for our environment, and to highlight our responsibilities as stewards of our outdoor spaces and nature.”
“Leave No Trace is delighted to be a partnership with MTU and others in this new RETURN project which is about leaving a destination in a better condition than when you arrived – a concept that goes beyond “not damaging” the environment and that looks to actively revitalise and regenerate it, resulting in a positive impact on local communities and economies”
MTU has extensive experience in regenerative tourism research, education and training, particularly through its Circular Economy for Regenerative Tourism (CERT). The project will be an opportunity to explore the impacts of a tourism revenue transfer on a destination, as well as determining the best approach to adopt within different places and scenarios
Dr. Aisling Ward from Munster Technological University said: “MTU is delighted to be a partner in this hugely significant and timely research project. By focusing on regenerative tourism practices, we aim to strengthen community resilience and create sustainable models for the future of tourism in Northern Europe. Working alongside Leave No Trace Ireland and Visit Cork, we aim to develop new solutions for sustainable tourism that can be adopted both in Ireland and internationally.”
Visit Cork will play a supporting role in this project by attending workshops and capacity building events and ensuring the outputs of this project can be disseminated for testing and implementation.
Head of Visit Cork, Seamus Heaney, said: “The tourism sector is continuously evolving and there is an increasing focus now on ensuring that we protect our natural and cultural heritage by investing in regenerative tourism initiatives. The RETURN project will provide a great opportunity for Cork stakeholders to learn from best practices and share ideas with our international counterparts”
- The RETURN project consortium brings together leading academic tourism research institutes across the NPA region. The consortium consists of leading tourism experts from Iceland, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, Sweden, Norway, Ireland, Scotland, and Finland.
Further information For Editors
Different Approaches to Tourism Revenue Transfers Across the NPA Region
Sweden: A national debate is ongoing regarding local tourism taxes to manage overtourism and fund infrastructure. Industry representatives warn of potential negative impacts on visitor numbers, while environmental advocates push for sustainable financing solutions.
Norway: The government has proposed a visitor levy law, allowing municipalities to charge up to 5% on VAT-exempt accommodation prices. The debate also includes Indigenous Sámi perspectives and sustainable destination certification as key strategies.
Finland: Rapid tourism growth, particularly in Lapland and Rovaniemi, has fueled discussions about introducing a tourism tax. Funding shortages have led to closures of recreational infrastructure, increasing the need for sustainable financing solutions.
Finland: Rapid tourism growth, particularly in Lapland and Rovaniemi, has fueled discussions about introducing a tourism tax. The rapid expansion of Airbnb rentals has significantly altered the local housing market and tourism dynamics, increasing the need for sustainable financing solutions to support infrastructure and local services.
Faroe Islands: A per-person, per-day tourism tax will be introduced in October 2025 to support environmental protection and infrastructure. The unique land tenure system, where part of the land is privately owned or leased, presents additional challenges for tourism management.
Greenland: With new airport developments and increased cruise tourism, Greenland implemented a DKK 50 per passenger cruise tax in 2024. This ensures tourism revenue stays within the regions where it is collected to support local services and environmental conservation.
Iceland: Iceland reinstated its accommodation tax in 2024 and plans to introduce a resource fee for natural sites and a national entry fee. As the only NPA country with an established tourism tax system, Iceland serves as a case study for other nations.
Scotland: The Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024 allows local authorities to apply a percentage-based overnight stay tax. This aligns with increasing visitor numbers (16.4 million in 2023), which put pressure on local services and infrastructure.
Ireland: Ireland does not currently have a tourism tax, though discussions are ongoing. However, the country is leading in regenerative tourism, with €68 million in EU Just Transition funding supporting tourism development that restores ecosystems and strengthens communities.
