Of particular interest in the Irish tourism training sector is the active role Fáilte Ireland  (formerly known as CERT ) has taken in providing water-based tourism qualifications. Fáilte Ireland and the Marine Institute, supported by the Fisheries Boards, have developed a successful training programme, 'the Marine and Countryside Guide Programme', for those interested in working in the tourism activity sector in Ireland. Full details are provided here.

Courses with a water-based tourism and leisure interest are increasingly being offered by the various colleges, institutes and universities. These courses provide broad-based management skills as well as specialist recreational training. In addition to specialist options such canoeing, kayaking, swimming, lifeguard/life saving, sailing, windsurfing etc, students can also study customer care, marketing, operational management, law and leisure management, human resources, communications and information technology.