Analysis: Regenerative tourism focuses on the idea that tourism should be more than just an economic activity
Over 1.5 billion tourists were recorded by the end of last year. Current global issues such as climate change, climate justice, poverty, war and overtourism create a moral dilemma for many about travel and tourism. So if we continue to travel abroad and in Ireland for holidays, are there ways we can minimise (or maximise) our impact?
Sustainable tourism has been discussed since the late 1980s, but there has also been increasing interest recently in the concept of regenerative tourism. While sustainable tourism focuses on minimising harm, regenerative tourism goes a step further to actively restore or regenerate. It focuses on the idea that tourism is not just an economic activity, but needs to be considered in a more holistic way to ensure that it contributes to the living systems that exist in localities.
Central to this is the focus on communities and local places rather than on tourists and tourism offerings. Regenerative tourism has received attention in Ireland recently as EU Just Transition Funding has been used to support the development of new business ideas for sustainable tourism to aid the transition from peat production in the Midlands.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
From RTÉ Radio 1’s Morning Ireland, new €17 million scheme to fund regenerative tourism projects in midlands opens
When considering our impacts as tourists, we can think about how to minimise negative impacts – for example, leaving no trace, slow travel reducing emissions, respecting local customs and travelling during off-peak times. Regenerative tourism respects such actions, but calls for more. A common phrase used to encompass it is “leaving the place behind, better than before”. For policy makers there is increasing discussion about stewardship of areas. For tourists, this requires conscious decision that minimises negative impacts and increases positive impacts. Here are five suggestions.
Thinking about where and when to visit
While some parts of the world have too many tourists and try to dissuade tourists from visiting, other places are glad to have more visitors. Similarly visiting at off-peak times when small businesses may be finding it challenging to stay open will create a positive impact for the entrepreneurs and the local community.
Seeking the “hidden gems” has become commonplace for visitors and Google Trends for 2025 showed a 122% increase in the use of the term. For conscious tourists who are not just thinking about wanting to go to these hidden gems (which are now likely to become over-touristed!), local guidance and word of mouth referrals will help, and maps like this aid identification of meaningful travel experiences globally.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
From RTÉ Radio 1’s Saturday with Cormac Ó hEadhra, should a tourism levy be introduced here?
Buycotting
Consumers have used boycotting as a way of showing disapproval of a company (such as McDonalds or Starbucks) or a country (Israel or South Africa). A newer concept is that of buycotting, where people make deliberate decisions about the businesses that they want to support. To have the greatest impact on the locality a conscious tourist will stay in locally owned accommodation, use a local guide and buy gifts and souvenirs from local craftspeople. Such choices keep the money spent circulating in the locality.
Knowing tourists are just a small piece in the jigsaw puzzle
Early models of tourism development had the tourist in the middle but increasingly now it is agreed that the community should be central. As small pieces of the local places jigsaw, conscious tourists don’t expect places to change to suit them and are happy to have the opportunity to experience them authentically. This attitude can have a positive impact on how tourism places are developed.
Being mindful of local resources
Globally there is increasing awareness of limited resources and waste and many households conserve water, recycle, reduce food waste and use public transport. However, research shows that tourists often don’t continue such activities while on holidays, perhaps as they are escaping everyday life and aren’t so conscious of the cost implications.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
From RTÉ Archives, Dunnes Stores workers strike over South African apartheid in 1984
Being conscious of planetary boundaries can encourage different behaviour. As an example, bringing a reusable water bottle can have a significant impact. Consuming 2.5 litres of water per day equates to 70 plastic bottles over a two-week holiday per person. Planning ahead eliminates this wastage and protects resources.
Regenerative activities
Regenerative tourism is about leaving the place behind better than before. Examples from research of how this can be done include joining the local beach clean while on holidays, participating in a local cultural event which protects local traditions and planting trees with a local group.
Furthermore, buying a coffee, staying in the local social enterprise, or visiting the local community heritage site supports community efforts. The profits from these enterprises are used to meet social objectives, the tourist is still getting their coffee, bed or experience but by deliberately choosing to support these particular enterprises they are making a positive contribution to the local issues that matter to this community.
Small conscious decisions can have significant effects
The bigger issue is the moral question of whether we should be travelling as much, or at all. The data shows that this is a trend that hasn’t abated in wealthier parts of the world, but there is also a rise of consciousness when it comes to how we as individuals behave in the world.
Regenerative tourism calls for systematic change and this change is needed at policy, regional, business, community and tourist levels. The beginnings of such change is being conscious and making deliberate decisions. As a tourist, these decisions likely actually enhance holiday experiences, bringing tourists nearer to real life authentic and meaningful experiences in the places that they are holidaying.
Those of us lucky enough to travel are enriched by new experiences, learning and connectedness. As tourists, small conscious decisions can have significant effects. By behaving consciously, we can deliberately support communities, businesses and policy makers to enrich and sustain their local areas in the way that they choose best, as they act as stewards for these special places for future generations.
Follow RTÉ Brainstorm on WhatsApp and Instagram for more stories and updates
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
