In a situation where the tourism figures in the North West were not keeping up with the rest of the country, there was a marvellous opportunity to create and maintain an essentially Irish experience within the context of a recognised and respected environmentally friendly Eco-Label initiative.

This was stated by Marian Harkin TD MEP when she welcomed the conferring of Eco-Label status on 14 Eco-Tourism projects in Border areas, including the Gyreum project near Riverstown in County Sligo.

Speaking at a function in the Gyreum, to celebrate the granting of the EU Flower Eco-Label, Marian Harkin said that the Gyreum was one of 14 Border-Area accommodation providers which had qualified for the European Union's environmental quality mark through the Greenbox cross-border project, based in Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim. "The European Commission sees great potential for the Eco-Label as an assurance of quality for those wishing to have a first class Eco-Tourism experience, and it is heartening to see the creation of Ireland's first integrated Eco-Tourism destination based in the North West", she said. She praised the Greenbox initiative and the commitment of management and staff in ensuring that the North West would lead the way in the promotion of Eco-Tourism.

People in general in their daily lives were increasingly concerned with environmental issues and were prepared to extend that interest in their holiday choices, she said. The presence of the European Eco-Label, in the form of a flower logo, was proof of high environmental standards and performance in facilities and accommodation, she said. The official trademark, which had a very high reputation and was officially recognised throughout the EU, required considerable effort to achieve, but it offered an exciting opportunity to tap into a growing Eco-Tourism market, Marian Harkin said.

At international level Eco-Tourism was the fastest growing sector of tourism and the Gyreum - or round place - development near Riverstown was a very attractive example of what could be achieved, she said. The development involved a most interesting building, which was very much 'of its place' as well as, 'in its place', created out of materials sourced locally and offering a tourism experience which well merited being granted the EU Eco-Label, Marian Harkin MEP TD said.