By Oliver Batten
Some may argue that the two words “tourism” and “sustainability” do not go hand-in-hand or that there’s no such thing as “sustainable tourism”. But in a globalised world, it is important to acknowledge the current systems in play and the positive impacts that tourism can have on people and places.
A recent article by Destination Canada highlights how a regenerative approach to tourism and destination planning hopes to “revolutionise the country’s tourism sector”. The Tourism Corridor Strategy is a future-focussed strategy that puts the visitor experience first, whilst working collaboratively with communities and destinations to ensure the benefits are felt by all (including the environment).
So, if we saw this level of collaboration across communities, LGA boundaries and different levels of government, would it be possible to leave a destination better than when we found it? This is exactly what a regenerative approach to tourism hopes to achieve.
Gracen Chungath, Senior Vice President, Destination Development at Destination Canada writes, “the program is set to expedite intentional and sustainable destination development and a regenerative approach to tourism – across multiple corridors, ascending communities’ role in tourism development and propelling Canada towards a more resilient and prosperous tourism future.”
As we continue to learn about what “sustainable tourism” truly means, it’s fantastic to see organisations like Destination Canada leading the way with a collaborative approach to destination planning, development and management. We look forward to seeing how this project progresses!
