In other words, your trip leaves the place better than it would have been should you not have visited.
As our planet continues to face environmental challenges, it is important for travellers to be conscientious about the way we impact the places we visit. By practising regenerative tourism, we can help preserve the planet for future generations to enjoy.
There are many ways to practise regenerative tourism, but some common examples include researching your destinations, shopping locally, carbon offsetting, responsible waste management, and water conservation. By taking these steps, we can help preserve the planet and its precious places for future generations.
Why Does It Matter?
As our planet continues to face environmental challenges, it is more important than ever for travellers to be mindful of our impact on the places we visit.
Regenerative tourism provides an opportunity for us to make a positive difference while also enjoying all that travel has to offer.
In addition to helping preserve the planet, regenerative tourism can also have a number of benefits for local communities. When done properly, this type of tourism can create jobs, support small businesses, and generate income for community members. It can also help revive traditional practices and knowledge systems that might otherwise be lost.
What Does This Mean for Travellers?
If you are planning a trip in the near future, there are some things you can do to ensure that your trip leaves a positive impact on the destination you are visiting, and that you are engaging in ethically sourced experiences and stays. Here are some things you need to know about regenerative tourism before planning your next trip:
1) Do Your Research
When choosing a destination, take time to learn about the destination, local culture and the issues that matter most to its people. This will help you make more informed choices about where you stay, what you do, and how you can best support the community during your visit.
2) Seek Out Sustainable Accommodation
More and more hotels and tour operators are making an effort to operate sustainably. Hawaii has launched their Malama Program, which encourages visitors to volunteer during their stay and hotel partners are offering incentives (such as free nights) for those that take part.
3) Seek out certifications
From building design to daily sustainable operating standards there are a variety of certifications to be had in the travel industry that can showcase a businesses commitment to using travel as a force for positive change. Invest in experiences and places who are have earned green certifications. Some of the most recognized ones in the industry include:
4) Support Local Businesses
While you're exploring your destination, seek out opportunities to support local businesses. This could planning to dine out at a family-run restaurant, taking a tour led by a local guide, or only purchasing souvenirs that are made locally.
5) Invest in Ethical Eco Tourism Experiences
Eco tourism experiences are a way to create connections with the natural environment of the places you are visiting while investing in conservation and ensuring your experience doesn’t leave a negative impact. “By creating these experiences for our guests we hope to enlighten and entertain, and also raise awareness about the importance of supporting conservation here, at home and globally where the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund is supporting projects,” Rohde said.
Inspiring Eco Adventures:
Polar Bear Watching In Canada’s Subarctic - Frontier’s North Adventures welcomes guests from around the world to the Polar Bear Capital of the world. As Canada’s only BCorp certified tour guide guests can be guaranteed to have an incredible experience that will support conservation of these beautiful animals.
