Regenerative Tourism: Beyond Sustainability in Hospitality

Written by Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Business Management ambassador student Valentina Stefanini.

Over the last twenty years, the global tourism industry has been undergoing a quiet but significant shift. Sustainable tourism was once the new hot topic and world wide this concept was seen as the solution, but recently it has increasingly been criticized for its inability to prevent ecological degradation, cultural exploitation, and growing socio-economic inequalities.

Critics argue that the sustainability model frequently operates within the logic of minimization; reducing harm, rather than repairing it (Dziadkiewicz et al., 2024). The why behind this shift lies in the increasing global evidence that sustainability, as implemented, has failed to live up to its promise. Sustainable tourism has proven to be prioritising market viability over systemic healing, not protecting fragile ecosystems from over tourism and not helping the conservation of heritage sites.

The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the weaknesses of the tourism sector, leading many governments, communities, and specialists to reconsider functional ways to develop this industry (Paddison & Hall, 2024a).

Agenda 2030

Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a detailed analysis of the world’s development challenges and offer a blueprint for improvement. The SDGs promote sustainable tourism as a strategy for economic growth, cultural preservation, and environmental protection (United Nations, n.d.).

However, despite their ambition, the Agenda 2030 as a whole has limitations in terms of practical implementation and measurable outcomes (Bellato & Pollock, 2023). Across 186 countries and nine key indicators, only 53% of country-indicator targets are projected to be achieved by 2030. This critical gap between aspiration and reality, raising doubts about the ability of existing development models to deliver transformative change within the Agenda 2030 timeline (Moyer & Hedden, 2019).

How to switch from sustainable to regenerative tourism can be observed in an increasing number of countries. Since it’s a pretty new study, experimentation is key to develop functional new governance models, local empowerment strategies, and regenerative metrics. New Zealand, Costa Rica, and Scotland have already begun to study and integrate new regenerative systems into their tourism sectors, with a main focus on community leadership and environmentally restorative practices (Dredge, 2022).

Regenerative Tourism

Regenerative tourism shares some principles with sustainable tourism, but is not an under category of it. For example, supporting local communities and creating positive impact are in both agendas. The main difference between the two is that regenerative tourism aims to educate travelers to leave destinations better than they found them.

The core of regenerative tourism is to restore ecosystems, not minimize as much as possible human negative impact. Nowadays, governments are recognizing the need to go beyond sustainable tourism and regenerative practices are being implemented to preserve and enhance local nature and culture.

The New Zealand government has become a leader in regenerative innovation systems through the Tiaki Promise initiative: residents and visitors promise to be guardians of the land, sea, and culture (Tiaki New Zealand, n.d). Regenerative tourism principles have been integrated into the country’s strategy, and the benefits provided encourage businesses to restore natural ecosystems and provide physical benefits to local communities.

One of the infrastructures that implements next generation practices is Hinewai Reserve, a place that gives time to native forests to regenerate naturally and teaches visitors how to contribute to its conservation. The reserve has become a thriving ecosystem that benefits both the environment and local communities (Hinewai Reserve, 2025).

Costa Rica has also started to move forward with regenerative tourism, and has demonstrated a strong will in becoming an environmental leader. The government has established a program for landowners called Payment for Environmental Services (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change [UNFCCC], 2023). The scope of this initiative is to make reforesting and preserving ecosystems a priority for local businesses.

Scotland is making its way into regenerative tourism with the “Scottish Tourism Recovery Task Force“, whose goal is a full recovery post-COVID-19 (Scottish Tourism Alliance, 2022). The government is investing in restoration projects on natural landscapes, such as the peatland which are vital carbon sinks. Scotland aims to make tourism a strength for the environment, rather than just a source of economic growth (Forestry and Land Scotland, n.d.).

The Middle East has been developing its tourism sector for years now and many countries have become known internationally as incredible destinations. Saudi Arabia developed the “Vision 2030” initiative that focuses on the tourism sector (Saudi Vision 2030, 2025). The Saudi government wants to increase the share of tourism from 2% to 10% and transform the country into a leisure destination and not just for business and religious purposes.

The government is financing studies on the implementation of regenerative tourism in its sector (Ali & Salameh, 2021). The perfect example is NEOM, a futuristic city that prioritizes sustainability and regeneration (NEOM, 2025). Being very dependent on oil, the development of other sectors will create alternative sources of wealth and also position Saudi Arabia as a leader in the global movement towards regenerative tourism.

Niah National Park in Malaysia, managed by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation, spans over 3,000 hectares and has officially become a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2024. Renowned for its natural beauty, the park is home to the Niah Caves, which hold deep cultural and spiritual significance for local and Indigenous communities.

These caves also contribute to the local economy through traditional small-scale practices such as swiftlet nest harvesting and bat guano collection. Despite its relatively compact size, the park has seen a growing number of tourists, offering both opportunities and challenges for sustainable development. In the future, tourism in Niah National Park should be emphasized by the active participation of local communities.

Rather than relying on external entities with limited ties to the area, development should promote Indigenous rights and encourage locally driven entrepreneurship. Key pillars of this approach include community engagement in tourism planning and operations, the preservation of cultural and archaeological heritage, and the implementation of environmentally sustainable practices that protect the park’s unique ecosystems (Qi et al.,2024).

Towards the end COVID-19 forced lockdown, in York, United Kingdom, a group formed by over 60 stakeholders came together. They call themselves TAB and they engage with residents through initiatives to foster transparent communication and involvement in tourism decision-making. This collaborative model has strengthened relationships between the city council and the community, promoting a shared vision for York’s tourism future (Make It York, 2024).

A comprehensive eight-year tourism strategy was introduced in June 2024. This visionary plan aims to position York as a leader in regenerative tourism. The focus is on​ transforming the city into a responsible and profitable destination that benefits all parties and build “Green York”, a city with net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.​

Priority is to increase cultural tourism and make York and its rich heritage an attractive destination for regenerative visitors, without compromising the quality of life for local residents. To achieve these goals out-of-the-box professionals are in demand, so York has made investments in training, apprenticeships, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion to make this industry a more attractive career path (Paddison & Hall, 2024b).

Poland is a key participant in regenerative tourism dialogues within the Baltic Sea Region (BSR). In coordination with partners from Sweden, Germany, and other BSR countries, Polish stakeholders have engaged in regional projects that explore regenerative tourism as a response to over tourism and environmental pressures.

The country focuses on tourist diversification strategies on nature-based experiences and authenticity outside of major urban centers (Interreg Baltic Sea Region, 2023). At the centre of the attention is the analysing of emerging traveler behaviors, such as the “set-jetting” trend (travel inspired by media), and their potential to support or challenge regenerative goals.

Poland was a participating country in the ReTour project, a three-year transnational initiative involving stakeholders across the BSR. ReTour focused on experimenting with regenerative methods, developing new local tourism products and sharing knowledge across borders. This project specifically promoted tourism models that contribute more to local environments and communities than they take away, aligning with regenerative principles (Interreg Baltic Sea Region, 2017).

The Future of Tourism

Regenerative tourism thrives when local communities are empowered as active agents of change. With initial financial support, ongoing technical training, and strong local and international networks, tourism can become a tool for cultural revitalization, economic resilience, and environmental stewardship. This community-controlled model reconnects people to local history, strengthens identity, and fosters meaningful visitor relationships.

Platforms like Oiseaux de Passage further support local control and authenticity. By focusing on learning, networking, and protective structures, regenerative tourism can deliver truly transformative outcomes that endure (Miedes-Ugarte & Flores-Ruiz, 2025).

Citations:

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Current newsletter. Hinewai Reserve. (2025). https://www.hinewai.org.nz/

Dredge, D. (2022). Regenerative tourism: transforming mindsets, systems and practices. Journal of Tourism Futures, page 2.

​​DZIADKIEWICZ, A. D., BORAWSKA-DZIADKIEWICZ, J. B. D., & SOKOAOWSKA, E. S. (2024). REGENERATIVE TOURISM – BETWEEN THEORY AND PRACTICE. Scientific Papers of Silesian University of Technology. Organization & Management / Zeszyty Naukowe Politechniki Slaskiej. Seria Organizacji I Zarzadzanie,2024, Business Source Ultimate, page 2.

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Moyer, J. D. M., & Hedden, S. (2019). Are we on the right path to achieve the sustainable development goals? In ScienceDirect. ScienceDirect, page 1.

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Paddison, B., & Hall, J. (2024b). Regenerative Tourism development as a response to crisis: Harnessing practise-led approaches. Routledge Taylor&Francis Group, page 5.

Peatland Restoration. Forestry and Land Scotland. (n.d.). https://forestryandland.gov.scot/what-we-do/biodiversity-and-conservation/peatlands/peatland-restoration

Projectmanager, N. (2023, October 30). From sustainable tourism to regenerative tourism: key trends for the future of Baltic Sea tourism – Interreg Baltic Sea Region. Interreg Baltic Sea Region. https://interreg-baltic.eu/project-posts/from-sustainable-tourism-to-regenerative-tourismkey-trends-for-the-future-of-baltic-sea-tourism/

Qi, F., Pforr, C., & Justin Dit, T. (2024). Exploring the regenerative potential for community-based ecotourism in the Niah National Park in Sarawak, Malaysia. Journal of Ecotourism,Dec2024, Hospitality&Tourism Complete, 3–6. https://research.ebsco.com/c/ham2if/viewer/pdf/tma5ndycyb

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