Local Authorities have significant tourism planning responsibilities and can benefit from evidence-based approaches. Qualitative interviews with 28 Local Authorities identified impediments to adopting indicators. Key barriers included more knowledge of indicator systems, training in using systems, and understanding sustainability value and governance issues. However, transitioning to sustainable tourism through monitoring requires efficient resourcing of Local Authorities. Statutory adoption of indicators may be needed to enable evidence-based planning and policy making. More informed planning approaches can help destinations respond to tourism issues and sustainability threats. Findings have implications for facilitating indicator implementation and evidence-based planning in other tourism destinations internationally.

Event venues represent a focal point for infectious disease transmission among attendees and event stakeholders, creating lasting uncertainty within the industry post-COVID-19. There is now a need to investigate emerging venue considerations for the event industry as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using Ireland as a case, a quantitative questionnaire was used on a sample of event managers. Event venue monitoring for COVID-19 is lacking, while risk mitigation procedures focus more on attendees already at the venue rather than avoiding infected persons entering the venue. Risk assessments now comprise COVID-19 risk; however, a lack of resources means regular health and safety has shown signs of weakening. Government and local authority resources and financial support are required. Pre-venue procedures of symptom screening and proof of vaccination, combined with venue procedures for disinfection of venue spaces, table service, and appropriate ventilation have proven to be effective COVID-19 risk mitigation procedures. Additionally, ICT (information and communications technology) could disseminate up-to-date health guidelines through customer-centric digital environments representing enhanced information sharing to avoid uncertainty and support pro-social intentions of event attendees and compliance with event venue COVID-19 risk mitigation procedures.

The purpose of this research is to examine current alignment of tourism, hospitality, culinary, events, and sports management curriculum with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) across two departments in Higher Education Institutions in Ireland. To do this, a quantitative approach was adopted utilising a content analysis of programme learning outcomes and surveys with programme specific educators. This permitted an evaluation on the current status of incorporation of SDG’s within existing curricula and an insight into the motivations and challenges of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) integration from the perspective of educators. Findings revealed weak levels of current alignment of learning outcomes to SDG’s for tourism, hospitality, culinary, events, and sports management curriculum across two sampled departments while educators emphasised a need to upskill on the subject matter in an effort to ensure more comprehensive ESD integration across modules and programmes. The Results overall highlighted the need to ensure future curriculum review and development takes appropriate cognisance of ESD and through communities of Practice within Higher Education Institutions, educators can better embed and advance ESD within third level curricula. The findings presented in this study may have lessons to be learned for other Higher Education Institutions across Ireland and internationally.

Local Authorities have significant tourism planning responsibilities and can benefit from evidence-based approaches. Qualitative interviews with 29 Local Authorities identified impediments to adopting indicators. Key barriers included more knowledge of indicator systems, training in using systems and understanding sustainability value and governance issues. However, transitioning to sustainable tourism through monitoring requires efficient resourcing of Local Authorities. Statutory adoption of indicators may be needed to enable evidence-based planning and policymaking. More informed planning approaches can help destinations respond to tourism issues and sustainability threats. Findings have implications for facilitating indicator implementation and evidence-based planning in other tourism destinations internationally.