Setting a New Standard: The Tourism Space Earns B Corp Certification
When we started trading in late 2017, we set out to be a small but mighty business that would make a real difference. We wanted to be impactful and successful, not despite of our ‘remote’ location, but precisely because of it.
Our ambition was to draw inspiration from both our place and our community. We aimed for long-term profitability, creating competitive and rewarding careers in County Clare while contributing to the wider local economy. We sought to positively impact nature and the environment, foster collaboration and partnerships, and empower those who work with us to drive tangible, practical change.
It’s with immense pride—and a lot of excitement—that we share some news: The Tourism Space is now officially a Certified B Corporation™.
BCorp recognition is a significant milestone for us, underscoring the ambitions and values that have been at the heart of our work from the beginning.
What Is a B Corporation™?
At its core, a Certified B Corporation™ is a business that’s committed to doing things differently. It’s a business that balances profit with purpose, meeting rigorous standards of social and environmental responsibility, accountability, and transparency.
The standards for B Corp Certification are based on a detailed assessment tool, that measures a company’s impact in five key areas: governance, workers, community, environment, and stakeholders. These standards are regularly updated with input from experts, businesses, and stakeholders to reflect the best practices for making a positive impact.
Why B Corp Certification matters for The Tourism Space
Earning B Corp Certification meant taking a deep, critical look at every part of our business. From how we engage with the communities we work alongside to the impact we have on our clients, stakeholders, and the places we care about, every decision was evaluated to ensure it aligned with the B Corp ethos of being a force for good.
Our B Corp status is a reflection of The Tourism Space’s values and approach. We’ve always believed in a place-centred, purpose-driven model for our own business.
We strive to lead by example, fully committing to the principles and practices we encourage others to embrace.
For us, tourism is more than an industry—it’s a dynamic, living system that nurtures the regeneration of both people and places. Achieving B Corp Certification provides us with a formal framework to uphold and advance this perspective in everything we do.
We’re not just aiming for financial success — we’re also committed to being part of a regenerative, sustainable, and collaborative ecosystem within tourism.
We strive to ensure that every aspect of our work embodies this vision, leaving the places we collaborate with stronger, more resilient, and thriving well into the future.
B Corp Certification is more than a stamp of approval—it’s a pledge. It represents our commitment to continually strive for better, to make thoughtful decisions that prioritise future generations, and to hold ourselves accountable for driving meaningful, positive change.
What This Means for The Tourism Space
B Corp Certification is a trusted symbol of credibility that our partners and learners can depend on. It offers independent assurance of:
- Our unwavering commitment to operating responsibly and sustainably.
- Business practices that have been rigorously verified for their positive impact.
For us, becoming a B Corp isn’t just about celebrating what we’ve achieved—it’s about raising the bar for what comes next. It’s a commitment to continuous growth, learning, and pushing the boundaries of possibility to ensure that our work:
- Empowers communities to thrive by shaping tourism that truly works for them.
- Champions the protection and regeneration of places cherished by hosts, guests, and communities alike.
- Creates a lasting, positive legacy for people and their places.
Alignment with our Core Values
These commitments are deeply rooted in the core values that have guided The Tourism Space throughout its journey:
- Meitheal (Collaborative Effort): Facilitate collective effort for the greater good
- Misneach (Courage): Be brave, spirited and unapologetically ambitious for better
- Machnamh (Reflection): Take time to reflect, consolidate and share
- Muinín (Trust): Believe deeply in ourselves, in others and in the power of our places
- Maitheas (Striving for Better): Be better, do better and seek positive impact
The Irish B Corp Community
We’re proud to join the growing community of Irish businesses proving that commercial success and social purpose go hand in hand. Alongside inspiring companies like Armada Hotel (B Corp), The Boatyard Distillery (Home :: Boatyard Distillery), and Vagabond Tours (Ireland Tours – Vagabond Small-Group Tours of Ireland), we are now one of 57 B Corps in Ireland, united by a shared commitment to integrity, responsibility, and doing business with heart.
Together, we are demonstrating that business can—and must—be a force for positive change. Rooted in place and powered by people, we are challenging the status quo and shaping a future where business serves the needs of society and the planet alike.
Looking Ahead
Becoming a B Corp isn’t the finish line—it’s the beginning of a new chapter. It sets a higher baseline for us, challenging us to stay true to our principles, ask deeper questions, and continually seek innovative ways to make our business and the tourism sector we serve more meaningful and impactful.
We’re energised by what’s ahead, and eager to continue working alongside our partners, clients, and collaborators to shape a tourism industry, that’s not only thriving, but also deeply responsible and sustainable. This is just the beginning of the journey.
