Sustainable Tourism Network

What Sustainable Tourism Network does

Sustainable Tourism Network is an Ireland-based membership organisation founded in 2009, originally as Sustainable Travel Ireland and rebranded to its current name. It serves Irish tourism operators seeking to adopt sustainability practices, with a stated membership of 100+ businesses spanning hotels, attractions, tour operators, and destinations. Notable members include Guinness Storehouse, CIE Tours, Luttrellstown Castle, and The Killarney Park Hotel, indicating a mix of enterprise anchors and small-to-medium independents.

The core offering is a tiered membership programme (recurring annual fees) bundled with training courses (Ethical Tourism, AI Ethics in Tourism), paid consulting, certification pathways, and networking events. The flagship product is the 'Be Ready! B Corp Certification Programme', which guides members through B Corp certification, and the organisation operates as a recognised conduit to the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) standards and the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism. A partnership with SustainabilityExamples.com extends member-facing content. There is no proprietary technology platform; delivery is service-based through websites, events, and direct consulting.

Revenue is generated across multiple streams: membership subscriptions (reported pricing of approximately €120/year for individuals and €800/year for businesses), training fees, consulting engagements, certification programme fees, and ticketed events. Go-to-market relies on direct outreach to Irish tourism operators, industry partnerships, and event-driven engagement. The organisation shares infrastructure and brand with its sister company, Sustainable Business Network (SBN), which addresses sustainability across other sectors. The current team is 14 employees, with no disclosed funding rounds or external investors in the input data.

Name

Sustainable Tourism Network

Legal name

Sustainable Tourism Network

Website

https://sustainabletourismnetwork.ie

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sustainable Tourism Network is an Ireland-based membership organisation, founded 2009, serving 100+ tourism businesses with sustainability training, consulting, certification (B Corp, GSTC), and networking events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Tourism Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Eco-Certification, Auditing & Standards (Green Lodging, Tour Operator Certification) (THAAANAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sustainability Training, Consulting & ESG Advisory (Operational Playbooks, Staff Training) (THAAANAL)

Keywords

• Sustainable tourism certification
• Tourism sustainability consulting
• B Corp preparation programmes
• GSTC aligned certification
• Sustainability training tourism

Headquarters

HQ city

Newtownmountkennedy

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees ranging from €120 to €800 ex VAT depending on business size. Membership provides access to sustainability policy templates, training resources, networking events, member-to-member discounts, and certification pathways.
2. Training Programmes: Modular sustainability training programmes for tourism businesses covering topics including energy, carbon, water, waste, biodiversity, responsible marketing, sustainable events, and UN SDGs alignment. Members receive free access; non-member pricing available.
3. Consulting Services: Tailored sustainability consulting delivered by expert team. Services include sustainability strategy development, environmental management, responsible tourism practices, stakeholder engagement, impact measurement, and policy development. Available online or in-person at client premises.
4. Conference and Events: Annual Inspiring Sustainable Tourism Conference with discounted member pricing. Regional networking events are free for members.
5. Be Ready! B Corp Certification Programme: Two-tier sustainability training programme guiding businesses through B Corp certification process. Includes one-to-one mentoring sessions, plain-language guidance, follow-up support, and certificate of completion. Typically runs 6-12 months.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Sustainable Tourism Network operates a membership-based service body for Irish tourism businesses, offering tiered annual membership, a modular suite of sustainability training programmes (online and in-person), a GSTC-aligned three-level certification programme (Foundation, Silver, Gold), the Be Ready! B Corp preparation programme, bespoke sustainability consulting, custom training, and community networking events including the annual Inspiring Sustainable Tourism Conference. It also provides member-only tools such as a Green Leader self-assessment and policy template library.

Product overview

The Sustainable Tourism Network (STN) operates a platform-based membership model offering a suite of interconnected sustainability services for Irish tourism businesses. The core offering is STN Membership, which provides access to sustainability certification programmes (Foundation Level, Silver, Gold), training (via the Modular Training Programmes Suite and Custom Training), and consulting services. Members receive benefits including the Sustainability Policy Workshop, Policy Review, and Green Leader Assessment, all designed to help businesses achieve B Corp certification through the Be Ready! Sustainability Programme. The network also facilitates connections through the Jobs Board, Sustainability in Action Networking Events, and the annual Inspiring Sustainable Tourism Conference. The How Sustainable Is Your Business Quiz serves as an entry point for prospective members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• STN Membership Annual membership for Irish tourism businesses priced on a tiered scale of €120–€800 ex VAT depending on business size, providing access to member benefits including networking events, policy templates, the Green Leader Assessment, the How Sustainable Is Your Business quiz, the Sustainability Policy Workshop, the Sustainability Policy Review, and discounted rates on paid training and certification.
• Modular Training Programmes Suite Modular suite of sustainability training programmes for tourism operators covering sustainability fundamentals, climate action, biodiversity, social sustainability, and related topics, delivered online and in person with member and non-member pricing.
• Be Ready! Sustainability Programme Dedicated preparation programme guiding Irish tourism businesses through B Corp certification, including assessment, evidence-building, and submission support, priced separately from membership.
• STN Sustainability Certification Programme GSTC-aligned sustainability certification programme offered at three progressive tiers — Foundation, Silver, and Gold — for tourism businesses seeking externally validated sustainability credentials benchmarked against the Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria.
• Consulting Services Bespoke sustainability consulting for tourism businesses covering sustainability strategy, policy development, gap analysis, action planning, and ongoing advisory support.
• Custom Training Bespoke in-person sustainability training sessions delivered at the client's premises or office, tailored to the specific needs and operations of the tourism business.
• Inspiring Sustainable Tourism Conference Annual flagship conference gathering the Irish sustainable tourism community for keynote sessions, case studies, and networking, held each year as a paid standalone event.
• Sustainability in Action Networking Events Recurring member networking events branded under Sustainability in Action, focused on practical peer learning and case-study sharing among Irish tourism sustainability practitioners.

Quantifiable outcome

• Slieve Elva B&B reduced energy use by 64.7% and saved €5,000 after working with STN
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sustainable Business Network (SBN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBN is STN's sister company - a community for forward-thinking companies ready to turn sustainability into a strategic advantage. Both organizations share expertise, resources, and member benefits. STN focuses on tourism while SBN serves broader business community.
• Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTN is a GSTC member. STN's certification framework is aligned with GSTC standards, providing international credibility to members' sustainability credentials.
• All-Ireland Pollinator PlanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTN is a business supporter of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2026-2030, committing to actions that support pollinator conservation.
• Glasgow DeclarationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTN is a signatory to the Glasgow Declaration for Climate Action in Tourism, committing to climate action measures within the tourism sector.
• SustainabilityExamples.comcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerStrategic partnership announced to amplify member impact. STN members' sustainability stories will be shared through SustainabilityExamples.com platform to reach wider audience.
• Irish Nature AwardsminorGTM or Marketing Partner25% discount on Irish Nature Awards assessments for STN members, helping businesses measure and gain recognition for biodiversity on their grounds.
• Dublin Discovered Boat ToursminorGTM or Marketing Partner20% exclusive discount on cruise tickets for STN members and their teams.
• Portmagee WhiskeyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerExclusive discounts for STN members on tour groups and whiskey purchases as gift options.
• Blackstairs EcotrailsminorGTM or Marketing Partner10% exclusive discount on glamping accommodation and Wild Food Foraging experiences for STN members.
• Optimal Sustainability AdvisorsminorGTM or Marketing Partner5% exclusive discount on agreed fees for sustainability advisory services for STN members.
• WildacresminorGTM or Marketing Partner5% exclusive discount on corporate team events for STN members. Wildacres offers nature-based team events and environmental awareness workshops.
• Vagabond Tours of IrelandminorGTM or Marketing Partner5% exclusive discount on small group tours of Ireland for STN employees.
• CCIS The Conference CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCCIS offering STN members opportunity to be featured in international visitor guide for EHRS Conference 2027.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• EarthCheck: Global sustainability certification and benchmarking body used by hotels, tour operators, and destinations. Competes in the same certification space as STN but at a much larger international scale with broader industry coverage.
• B Lab (B Corporation): Global non-profit administering the B Corp certification that STN's Be Ready! programme prepares Irish tourism businesses for. Comparable as the underlying certification body whose standards STN operationalises for tourism clients.
• Fáilte Ireland: Ireland's National Tourism Development Authority. While not a direct competitor, Fáilte Ireland shapes sustainability policy and funding programmes for the Irish tourism sector — directly impacting STN's member value proposition and pipeline.
• Sustainable Hospitality Alliance: Global alliance of hospitality companies working on sustainability standards and net positive pathways. Operates at industry-association level rather than SME membership but overlaps with STN's mission to drive sustainability across hospitality.

Direct peers

• Sustainable Business Network: Sister organization operating the same membership + training + consulting model but for the broader Irish business community (non-tourism verticals). Directly comparable in business model, mission, and team structure.
• Green Key Ireland: Operates a well-known international eco-label for tourism accommodation and hospitality businesses in Ireland. Directly competes with STN's Gold/Silver/Foundation certification programme for the same Irish accommodation-provider segment.
• Travelife: International sustainability certification system specifically designed for hotels, tour operators, and travel agencies. Closely comparable to STN's certification programme, serving overlapping tourism business segments.
• Biosphere Sustainable: International sustainable tourism certification body offering certifications for hotels, destinations, and tour operators. Competes with STN's tiered certification framework in the broader tourism sustainability certification market.

Emerging players

• Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency: UK-originated movement (signatory network) for tourism businesses committing to climate action plans. Closely aligned with STN's Glasgow Declaration signatory status and sustainability advocacy work.

Regional players

• Leave No Trace Ireland: Irish affiliate of the Leave No Trace outdoor ethics programme, providing trainer certifications for outdoor tourism operators. Overlaps with STN's activity-provider segment and its use of Leave No Trace Trainer (e.g., Edwina Horgan) on the team.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@sustainabletourismnetwork
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sustainable-tourism-network
• Instagraminstagram.com/sustainabletourismnet

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sustainable Tourism Network