Project Regenerative Tourism
Promoting Regenerative Tourism
“Project Regenerative Tourism” is an initiative led by the Sustainability and Resilience Institute (SRI) | Tourism Advisory, New Zealand. Its primary goal is to promote research and experiential opportunities related to regenerative tourism, encouraging visitors to actively engage in the ongoing discourse surrounding this concept. The project has yielded significant results, including the publication of various scholarly works and the development of a comprehensive “Regenerative Tourism Model” and “Regenerative Tourism Framework.”
Regenerative Tourism Definition
“Regenerative tourism fosters ongoing rejuvenation and innovation in tourism systems, focusing on restoring and enriching social-ecological systems. It surpasses mere impact reduction, thriving amid changing trends and shocks with a focus on economic stability, minimal social and environmental impact, and the creation of authentic experiences.” Link
Project Regenerative Tourism
The Regenerative Tourism Model proposes the integration of all components of a social-ecological system into a cohesive and self-organizing structure that embraces uncertainty and adapts to global shocks and emerging trends. It acknowledges the interconnectedness of social and environmental factors and emphasizes the need for regenerative practices in tourism. Additionally, the model has established a set of indicators to assess the extent to which a tourism product or service contributes to regeneration and sustainability.
The Regenerative Tourism Framework serves as a roadmap for achieving regenerative tourism by prioritizing destinations and people in the policymaking process. This framework incorporates indicators of regenerative tourism from both the supply and demand sides, encompassing overarching characteristics that should be present. To evaluate the degree of regenerativeness of a tourism product, a Likert scale (ranging from 1 to 10) is utilized, offering a quantitative measure.
One of the key recommendations of the project is the holistic appreciation of indigenous knowledge. Rather than cherry-picking specific elements that align with current tourism discussions while neglecting the broader context, the project advocates for a comprehensive understanding of indigenous knowledge. Indigenous knowledge encompasses a way of life that involves dynamic decision-making processes, continuously adapting to cycles of growth, accumulation, restructuring, and renewal of resources. Indigenous wisdom stems from an intricate understanding of specific contexts and times, acting as a steward for the physical, social, and historical environments.
Project Regenerative Tourism Publications
Selected Publications on Regenerative Tourism
Journal of Sustainability and Resilience
Project Regenerative Tourism
Freshwater National Direction in New Zealand: Navigating Change for People, Economy and Environment
Freshwater National Direction in New ZealandWhy national direction mattersWhat the 2025 consultation was aboutWhat people told the governmentA new policy direction with nuanceWhat this means for communities and businessesLooking ahead Freshwater National Direction in...
Interest rate cycles, economic hype, and the growing fragility of business decision-making
Volatility changes behaviour, not just costsDebt magnifies vulnerability across the economyThe role of banking narratives and opacityShort-term signals crowd out long-term resilienceGlobal uncertainty compounds the problemReframing interest rates as context, not...
How Tourism Is Undermining Destination Survival and Resilience in 2026: A deep evidence-based analysis
1. Degradation of Natural Systems and Loss of Ecological ResilienceTourism as a driver of ecosystem pressureExceeding ecological carrying capacityClimate change amplification2. Social Pressure, Resident Wellbeing and Loss of Social LicenceDeclining quality of...
