Article #04: So, what exactly is regenerative tourism?
Redesigning tourism for people, place & planet
ARTICLES
4/11/20261 min read
What is regenerative tourism?
Regenerative tourism is a model that goes beyond sustainability by not only minimising negative impacts but also actively restoring and enhancing destinations. It strengthens ecosystems, supports local communities and economies, promotes cultural traditions and creates shared value among stakeholders while also responding to evolving labour market needs.
More than “old wine in new bottles”
Regenerative tourism is not simply a rebranding of sustainable tourism. While sustainable tourism focuses on reducing harm (“do less harm”), regenerative tourism aims to create positive impact (“give back more than you take”). It moves beyond maintaining the status quo toward actively restoring ecosystems and communities through place-based, locally driven approaches.
Why do we need it?
The limits of traditional tourism are increasingly visible: environmental degradation, overtourism and social tensions. At the same time, the industry must respond to changing labour market needs and develop new skills and competencies. Regenerative tourism addresses these challenges by turning tourism into a driver of ecological, social and economic renewal.
A paradigm shift in practice
Achieving this requires new business models, governance approaches and a shift in mindset among stakeholders. Success is no longer measured by visitor numbers but by the positive impact on destinations and communities.W
Co-Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Foundation for the Development of the Education System (FRSE). Neither the European Union nor FRSE can be held responsible for them.
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Co-Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Foundation for the Development of the Education System (FRSE). Neither the European Union nor FRSE can be held responsible for them.
