Sustainability Case Study: Parknasilla Resort & Spa

Sustainable tourism and regenerative tourism approaches in Kerry are gaining momentum, with case studies from industry demonstrating the commitment towards increasing sustainable practices throughout the region's industries and sectors. This case study has been developed by Parknasilla Resort & Spa, Munster Technological University, Circular Economy for Regenerative Tourism at MTU, Kerry Tourism Industry Federation, BSPM Energy Consultancy,  Master Therm Heat Pumps, Retrofit Energy and Codex Energy.

THE PROJECT

Parknasilla Resort & Spa comprises of five star luxury accommodation, food and beverage, leisure and spa facilities and is located on a 500 acre parkland estate which is a designated special area of conservation in Kenmare Bay. Therefore, environmental impact is very much on the minds of the team. Factors driving the need for sustainable energy and heating alternatives included the desire to improve the sustainability of the resort, an aging heating system and rising fuel costs.

In 2024, the project team implemented the solution of transitioning from LPG to an air to water heat pump system, completing the first three phases of a five phase plan. The project cost €765k which includes €199k of grant funding and will save €92k and 316k kgs carbon per annum. This transition has had a significant impact on the resort's carbon footprint and the new systems allows for easy recording and analysis of data which will be beneficial for future ESG reporting.

Destination Sustainability

There are also aspects of the project which will appeal to guests, event planners and impact the positioning of Kerry in terms of the Global Destination Sustainability movement. The GDS-Index is the world’s leading sustainability performance benchmarking and improvement programme, designed to make business and leisure tourism industry more sustainable. Its mission is to engage, inspire and enable destinations to become more sustainable places to visit, meet and thrive in. In 2023, Kerry retained its place in the Top 20 for the fifth consecutive year, firmly establishing Kerry as Ireland’s leading Sustainable Tourism destination, ranking 19 out of 100 international destinations.

Capturing and reporting on industry led sustainability innovation forms an important part of the submission, as it underpins and reinforces the collective and county wide commitment and focus on regenerative tourism. Kerry Convention Bureau lead out on the annual submission, with support from Kerry Tourism Industry Federation, Kerry County Council, Munster Technological University and Failte Ireland. Parknasilla Resort is a long-standing member of KCB, and this initiative is a fantastic example of a Kerry hotel leading the way in rolling out innovative cost-effective sustainability measures.