Purpose Despite indicators being regarded as ideal tools to help achieve sustainability in tourism, their application within Ireland remains under researched. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to advance the knowledge base in the hospitality and tourism field by presenting baseline research from the first application of all 43 of the indicators that make up the European tourism indicator system (ETIS) in county Clare, Ireland. Design/methodology/approach This study used the pre-existing visitor, enterprise and resident surveys that accompany the ETIS indicator system in a number of honey pot destinations within county Clare. This approach was complemented further through desk research to gather the necessary data on all 43 core indicators of the ETIS. Findings While the application of the ETIS in county Clare constitutes a significant advancement towards evidence informed planning for tourism. There does exist a number of information gaps relating to specific core indicators of the ETIS. Which, if not monitored and benchmarked over time, could have serious ramifications for the future sustainability of tourism in Ireland. Originality/value This paper not only discuss the findings from the application of all 43 core indicators of the ETIS in one specific destination but also develops new knowledge on the use of tourism indicators and the move towards evidence informed planning for tourism. Furthermore, this study contributes significantly to the theoretical development of our field, as the ETIS has not been applied in its entirety throughout Europe.

Tourism is one of Ireland's most important economic sectors. In 2017, the overall visits to the country have increased by over 10%. However, such growth if not managed correctly can present many challenges to destinations, particularly along Irelands 2500km driving route, the Wild Atlantic Way (WAW). This paper reports on the application of the European Tourism Indicator System for sustainable destination management in County Donegal, Ireland. While significant data was generated on tourism activity at local level, results do suggest that a number of the indicators would need further research going forward. This evidence informed approach to tourism planning can assist Local Authorities in future planning considerations, while also helping to protect the long-term sustainability of the tourism product in County Donegal.