What is Regenerative Tourism?
Photo by Patrick Leung for Earthworks, Capilano University.
The tourism industry is regularly highlighted as being a driving force for destructive practices that trample local communities and damage the health of the region’s ecosystem.
But what if there was a different way to travel?
What if explorers actually improved the places they visited?
There’s a new buzzword out there, and that’s regenerative tourism.
But what is regenerative tourism?
Regenerative tourism is where explorers contribute to the regeneration of the host community by actively participating in activities that promote conservation, restoration, and sustainable development, ultimately enhancing the local environment and community of the regions they visit.
“Regenerative tourism restores land and communities to their natural state for the enjoyment and appreciation of future generations”
Regenerative Tourism in Biosphere Regions
Biosphere Bathing aims to provide that much needed link between conservation and tourism, where explorers are given practical options of activities that regenerate the host community. Our focus is on Biosphere Regions, areas certified by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) as hubs for sustainability and leading-edge biodiversity conservation.
Biosphere Regions are essentially places that have gone through regeneration themselves. These regions provide the perfect backdrop for explorers to dive into regenerative tourism practices and experience first-hand communities that are actively working toward a better, more sustainable future.
Using the Howe Sound Biosphere Region (HSBR) as an example, after decades of environmental destruction from industrial activities, the community came together to regenerate the sound through advocacy and biodiversity conservation projects which ultimately saw a staggering recovery of the marine life in the Sound.
Read our blog post on the Howe Sound Biosphere Region:
Can a body of water inspire hope?
One project that is active within the HSBR is Rockfish Monitoring within the ancient glass sponge reefs.
And you could get involved with this project too, as a Volunteer Diver for Marine Life Sanctuaries Society!
This is a real example of combining tourism with conservation. Explorers can dive the incredible waters of the Howe Sound and witness first-hand these unique Glass Sponge Reefs (that are only present on the West Coast of North America!) while also contributing to citizen science.
“Done right, tourism can…help rebalance ecosystems and biodiversity damaged by more extractive industries”
How can the tourism industry contribute?
When looking at the tourism industry as an outside observer, it can be difficult to determine who is genuine and authentic in their commitment to the environment, and who is just using the buzzwords to attract visitors.
Labels such as “eco-tourism”, “sustainable tourism”, “responsible tourism”, and “regenerative tourism” mean nothing if there’s no action beyond the words.
There are many businesses out there with blanket statements on their website stating their commitment to sustainability…
How can explorers effectively evaluate which business to hand over their money to?
One thing to look for is concrete examples that demonstrate their commitment to the environment.
Watch this video of Hello Nature and their commitment to cleaning up marine debris in the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region.
Notice how they don’t just simply state that they are committed to keeping our waters clean, they actively participate in marine clean-ups with the Surfrider Foundation.
This is also a fantastic marketing opportunity for tourism businesses to attract a new type of clientele – readers just like you!
Biosphere Bathing aims to uncover the tourism businesses that are truly committed to our environment and share their stories to the world. Not only so that explorers can make better, informed choices, but also so that other businesses and regions are inspired to do the same.
Photo by Amber Turnau of Substrate Studios
To summarise, there are many ways the tourism industry can get involved in regenerative tourism, but the key factor is active participation in activities that promote conservation, restoration, and sustainable development, ultimately enhancing the local environment and community of the regions they visit.
Would you travel this way?
Let us know in the comments – we’d love to hear from you!
Or follow us on social media at the below links:
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A regenerative approach to tourism in Canada - Destination Canada.
Q&A: Destination Canada’s Gracen Chungath on the future of regenerative tourism in Canada - Canadian Geographic.
Is Canada on the cusp of a tourism enlightenment? - Canadian Geographic.