Abbey Group Sustainability Policy
Vision/mission/company ethos
UNWTO Definition
Continuous Improvement
Measuring and reducing negative impacts
Ethical Purchasing
Carbon management
Carbon management
Social Responsibility
Social Responsibility
Tips How to Travel More Sustainably
Try To Fly Direct. Where possible aim for direct flights or options with reduced stopovers. Reducing the number of take-offs and landings, lowers your carbon footprint.
Use Public Transport. When transfers are not included in your programme, consider opting for public transport, or walk or cycle if possible. Airports in Ireland and the UK are well served by public transport.
Act Like You’re Paying the Bills. Reuse towels and switch off lights and air conditioning when not needed. Many hotels move away from servicing rooms daily for multi-night stays, unless otherwise requested. This is a great sustainability initiative to support.
Think Before You Buy. Buy local. Borrow or buy second-hand travel gear. Avoid plastic and choose meaningful, locally made souvenirs that won’t just collect dust or end in landfill. Choose local restaurants and produce to reduce waste and support the local economy.
Bring Reusables: Carry reusable bottles, cups, bags and containers to minimise plastic waste. It is safe and common to drink tap water in Ireland and the UK, even in restaurants. You will find water refill stations in Ireland and in the UK and hotels, cafes and visitor centres will be happy to refill your bottle.
Leave No Trace. Respect the outdoors and follow the 7 Leave No Trace principles and The Countryside Code. Dispose of litter properly, leave natural objects where they are, stick to paths, and respect wildlife.
Respect Cultural Heritage: Treat our historical and archaeological sites with care, follow guidelines, and avoid touching or removing artifacts.
Engage respectfully. Spend time interacting with locals, perhaps at a market or in a pub. These genuine experiences offer a deeper understanding of the local culture and way of life. At the same time, be considerate of privacy and personal space. Always seek permission before photographing people or their property.
Minimise Food Waste. Be mindful of what you order or take from a buffet. The variety that buffets offer often leads to overfilling plates, resulting in excess waste.
Reduce Meat Consumption. Replacing just one meat meal per week with a vegetarian or vegan option can cut up to 143kg of CO2 emissions annually. Even if not mentioned on a group menu all hotels will have a “silent” vegan or vegetarian choice available.
Save water. Water is a precious resource. To help conserve it aim for shorter showers and turn off the water while lathering up or brushing your teeth. Please report dripping taps to staff.
Respect local laws and regulations. Follow all local laws, especially those related to conservation, national parks and the protection of cultural heritage. When driving be sure to adhere to local driving rules and take extra care on narrow and winding rural roads. The UK and Ireland drive on the left.
Ask for Advice. Your tour guide or local staff are happy to give tips and assist with questions or concerns in relation to any of the above.
Thank you for your consideration. Enjoy your time on our shores!
As you prepare for your visit to Ireland and the UK, we encourage you to travel responsibly and help protect the local environment, communities, and cultural heritage. By making small changes in how we travel, we can make a big difference. Here are some useful guidelines and resources.
At Abbey Group we are committed to responsible tourism that minimises environmental and social impacts. We value the observations and feedback of our guests, suppliers, and local communities to help us continuously improve our operations.
This form allows you to report:
Any environmental concerns (e.g., littering, pollution, habitat disturbance).
Any disruptions to local communities (e.g., restricted access to sites, strain on local services).
Any suggestions for how we can enhance our sustainability efforts.
