Spain Talks in Ireland Highlights Sustainable Tourism and Cross-Border Collaboration, Here’s All You Need to Know – Travel And Tour World

Report on the “Spain Talks in Ireland” Sustainable Tourism Initiative

Introduction and Strategic Objectives

On October 31, 2025, Spain’s official tourism promoter, Tourspain, announced the launch of “Spain Talks in Ireland,” a new initiative scheduled for November 13, 2025, in Dublin. The event is designed to foster bilateral partnerships between Spain and Ireland, focusing on integrating the principles of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the tourism sector. The primary objective is to establish a framework for responsible innovation and sustainable growth, leveraging the strong travel connection between the two nations, which saw over 2.3 million Irish tourists visit Spain in 2024.

The initiative directly supports several key SDGs:

• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): By promoting community-based tourism and supporting local economies through responsible travel itineraries.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Through discussions on sustainable infrastructure, cultural heritage preservation, and efficient visitor management.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): By championing sustainable practices in hospitality, travel, and tourism product development.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): By addressing the carbon footprint of travel, particularly through sustainable transportation alternatives.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The event itself serves as a platform for cross-border collaboration between public and private sector entities to achieve shared sustainability targets.

Event Agenda: Integrating SDGs into Tourism Practices

Panel 1: Tourism Products and Experiences for a More Sustainable Tourism Model

This session will address the practical implementation of sustainable tourism models, aligning with SDG 8 and SDG 12. Discussions will center on developing tourism products that ensure long-term socio-economic benefits. Key topics include:

1. Eco-certified hospitality and accommodation.
2. Development of responsible travel itineraries that minimize environmental impact.
3. Creation of community-based cultural experiences that provide direct economic benefits to local populations.

Panelists include:

• Juan José González, Paradores Hotel Chain (Spain)
• Mary Denton, Sunway Travel (Ireland)
• Abigail Sigüenza, Madrid Destino (Spain)
• Clare Dunne, Irish Travel Agents Association (Ireland)

Keynote Address: Aviation and Sustainability

Donal Moriarty, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Aer Lingus, will deliver a keynote address on the aviation industry’s role in advancing SDG 13 (Climate Action). The presentation will outline strategies for mitigating the environmental impact of air travel, including fleet modernization, route optimization, and carbon offsetting programs, underscoring the need for ecosystem-wide collaboration for a greener travel future.

Panel 2: Good Practices in Sustainable Tourism

This panel will showcase successful case studies in sustainable destination management, contributing to SDG 11 and SDG 12. Panelists will share insights on implementing strategies that balance tourism growth with environmental and social responsibility. Focus areas include:

1. Resource conservation and waste reduction in tourism operations.
2. Community engagement and empowerment in destination planning.
3. Development of low-impact tourism infrastructure.
4. Management of visitor flows to protect sensitive natural and cultural sites.

Panelists include:

• Natalia Bóveda, Costa del Sol Tourism
• Pere Granados, Mayor of Salou
• Ken Lyons, CIE Tours International
• Pat Neville, Coillte (Ireland’s forestry management organization)

Sponsor Presentations: Showcasing Sustainable Solutions

Turismo Andaluz: Responsible Regional Development

Antonio Martín-Machuca of the Andalusia Tourism Board will present on the region’s initiatives in responsible tourism. The presentation will highlight efforts that support SDG 8 through rural development projects and SDG 12 through green hotel certification programs, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable economic growth that benefits small communities.

Spain by Train: Promoting Low-Carbon Mobility

Diego Juárez will represent Spain by Train, showcasing the country’s high-speed rail network (AVE) as a key component of sustainable transport infrastructure, directly aligning with SDG 11 and SDG 13. The presentation will emphasize how extensive rail connectivity offers a viable, low-carbon alternative to short-haul flights, reducing the overall environmental footprint of tourism in Spain.

Recognition of Excellence: The Tourism Sustainability Awards

The event will culminate in an awards ceremony to recognize Irish organizations and professionals who have significantly contributed to advancing the sustainable tourism agenda in Spain. The awards reinforce the importance of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by celebrating collaborative efforts. The categories are:

• Media Award: For coverage promoting Spain as a sustainable destination.
• Ambassador Award: For digital content showcasing Spain’s commitment to sustainability.
• Experience Award: For innovative packages that advance responsible tourism.
• Business Award: For companies with exemplary Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices, contributing to SDG 12.

Conclusion: A Shared Vision for Responsible Travel

The “Spain Talks in Ireland” initiative represents a significant step in aligning the tourism industry with the global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. By fostering dialogue and collaboration, the event aims to establish tourism as a driver for positive economic, social, and environmental change. This partnership between Spain and Ireland reaffirms a shared commitment to protecting cultural and natural heritage for future generations while promoting a globally competitive and sustainable travel sector.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on “Spain Talks in Ireland” highlights several issues that directly connect to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary focus on sustainable tourism, international collaboration, and environmental responsibility links the initiative to the following SDGs:

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The article discusses tourism as a major economic driver, focusing on sustainable growth that benefits local economies and creates value.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The initiative addresses the need to make tourism destinations sustainable by managing visitor flows, preserving cultural heritage, and engaging with local communities.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – The core theme of the event is promoting sustainable tourism practices, which aligns with the goal of ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns within the travel industry.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – The article explicitly mentions efforts to combat climate change by reducing the carbon footprint of travel through aviation industry innovations and promoting sustainable transport alternatives like high-speed rail.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The entire event is a testament to this goal, fostering collaboration between two countries (Spain and Ireland), public sector bodies (Tourspain), and private companies (airlines, hotels, tour operators) to achieve sustainability objectives.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the specific discussions and initiatives mentioned in the article, the following SDG targets can be identified:

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.9: “By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.” The article’s focus on “community-based cultural experiences that benefit local economies” and “rural development initiatives that support small communities” in Andalusia directly supports this target. The event aims to create a tourism model that is economically beneficial at the local level.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.4: “Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.” The article mentions Spain’s “rich cultural heritage” as a key attraction and discusses creating “authentic, sustainable experiences.” The panel on “Good Practices in Sustainable Tourism” is expected to cover managing visitor flow and preserving destinations, which is crucial for safeguarding heritage.

3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • Target 12.b: “Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.” The “Tourism Sustainability Awards” serve as a mechanism to recognize and promote best practices, effectively monitoring and encouraging sustainable tourism. The discussion on “eco-certified hotels,” “green hotel certification,” and “responsible travel itineraries” are examples of tools and standards for sustainable tourism.

4. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.2: “Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.” The keynote address on aviation focuses on how airlines can “reduce emissions through fleet modernization, route optimization, and carbon offset programs.” Furthermore, the promotion of Spain’s high-speed rail network (AVE) as a “sustainable alternative to short-haul flights” to reduce carbon footprints is a clear strategy to integrate climate action into tourism planning.

5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.” The “Spain Talks in Ireland” initiative is a prime example of a public-private partnership. It is organized by Tourspain (a public body) and brings together private companies like Aer Lingus, Paradores Hotel Chain, and Sunway Travel, as well as associations like the Irish Travel Agents Association, to foster dialogue and collaboration on sustainable tourism.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• For Target 8.9: The article states that “over 2.3 million Irish travelers visited Spain in 2024.” While a simple volume metric, the number of tourists can be a baseline indicator. A more nuanced indicator implied is the economic impact of “community-based cultural experiences” and “rural development initiatives,” which could be measured by the share of tourism revenue retained by local communities.
• For Target 12.b: The existence and number of “eco-certified hotels” and “green hotel certifications” in destinations like Andalusia are direct indicators of the implementation of sustainability standards. The “Tourism Sustainability Awards” themselves, particularly the “Business Award” for companies with “exemplary ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices,” serve as a qualitative indicator of progress.
• For Target 13.2: Progress can be measured by tracking the adoption of sustainable aviation practices, such as the percentage of an airline’s fleet that has been modernized or the number of flights utilizing optimized routes. Another key indicator is the modal shift in transport, specifically the increase in the number of tourists using the AVE high-speed rail network for domestic travel in Spain instead of short-haul flights, which directly measures the reduction of the carbon footprint.
• For Target 17.17: The number and diversity of participants in the “Spain Talks” event is a direct indicator of the strength of the partnership. This includes the number of public bodies (Tourspain, Andalusia Tourism Board), private companies (Aer Lingus, CIE Tours), and industry associations (Irish Travel Agents Association) actively collaborating. The establishment of the event itself is an indicator of an ongoing partnership.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: travelandtourworld.com