Introduction
While sustainable tourism aims to minimize negative impacts, regenerative tourism goes further, focusing on actively contributing to the restoration and enhancement of destinations – their environments, communities, and cultures. It represents a shift in mindset, moving beyond sustainability to a holistic approach that seeks to leave places better than they were found. This involves fostering positive interactions between visitors and hosts, supporting ecosystem restoration, revitalizing cultural heritage, and empowering local communities to thrive.
This transformative training course is designed for tourism professionals and stakeholders who aspire to create tourism experiences with a genuine positive impact. You will explore the core principles of regenerative tourism, learn how to assess the health and potential of a place, develop business models that contribute to local well-being, and implement practices that foster community regeneration and cultural revitalization. This program is essential for those ready to move beyond sustainability and become agents of positive change in the tourism landscape.
Target Audience
- Tourism Developers and Investors
- Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) and Staff
- Community Leaders involved in Tourism
- Tourism Business Owners and Operators
- Conservation and Environmental Practitioners
- Sustainability Professionals seeking advanced approaches
- Urban and Regional Planners in Tourist Areas
Course Objectives
- Define regenerative tourism and differentiate it from sustainable tourism.
- Understand the core principles of regenerative tourism and a holistic approach.
- Learn methodologies for assessing the health and potential of a destination (place).
- Explore business models that support regenerative outcomes and positive impact.
- Gain knowledge of strategies for fostering community regeneration through tourism.
- Understand how tourism can contribute to ecosystem restoration and environmental enhancement.
- Learn how to measure and evaluate the impact of regenerative tourism practices.
- Develop a framework for implementing regenerative tourism initiatives in a specific context.
Duration
5 Days
Course Outline
Module: Introduction to Regenerative Tourism
- Defining regenerative tourism and its evolution beyond sustainability.
- Understanding the core philosophy and holistic approach of regenerative tourism; this module covers foundational concepts.
- Exploring the potential for tourism to create positive impact on destinations.
- Key differences and relationships between regenerative, sustainable, and responsible tourism.
- Inspiring examples and case studies of emerging regenerative tourism initiatives; this module highlights real-world examples.
Module: Principles of Regenerative Tourism
- Delving deeper into the core principles of regenerative tourism (e.g., place-based, reciprocal, holistic).
- Understanding the importance of an ecological worldview in tourism development; this module covers ecological perspective.
- The principle of reciprocity: fostering mutually beneficial relationships between visitors and hosts.
- Embracing complexity and working with living systems in tourism; this module addresses systems thinking.
- Cultivating a regenerative mindset in tourism leadership and practice; this module addresses mindset shift.
Module: Place-Based Regenerative Design
- Methodologies for understanding the unique identity and potential of a place.
- Assessing the social, ecological, and cultural health of a destination; this module covers place assessment.
- Identifying the needs and aspirations of the local community.
- Co-creating a shared vision for the future of the place through tourism.
- Designing tourism experiences that are deeply connected to the essence of the place; this module addresses experience design.
Module: Community Regeneration through Tourism
- Understanding the role of tourism in fostering community regeneration and well-being.
- Empowering local communities and ensuring their meaningful participation in tourism; this module covers community empowerment.
- Strategies for building local capacity and leadership in regenerative tourism.
- Ensuring equitable distribution of tourism benefits within the community.
- Supporting local culture, heritage, and traditional knowledge through tourism; this module addresses cultural support.
Module: Ecosystem Regeneration and Environmental Enhancement
- Understanding how tourism activities can contribute to ecosystem restoration and environmental health.
- Implementing practices that actively regenerate natural resources (e.g., reforestation, habitat restoration, soil health); this module covers ecological practices.
- Addressing climate change through nature-based solutions integrated with tourism.
- Minimizing environmental footprint while maximizing positive ecological impact.
- Monitoring and enhancing biodiversity within tourism landscapes; this module addresses biodiversity enhancement.
Module: Regenerative Tourism Business Models
- Exploring business models that are inherently regenerative and contribute to positive outcomes.
- Developing financial models that support community benefits and environmental stewardship; this module covers financial models.
- Innovative approaches to product development and marketing for regenerative tourism.
- Building collaborative partnerships across the tourism value chain for regenerative goals.
- Measuring business success beyond financial profit, incorporating social and environmental metrics; this module addresses measuring success.
Module: Implementing and Measuring Regenerative Impact
- Developing a framework for implementing regenerative tourism initiatives.
- Identifying key indicators for measuring the impact of regenerative practices (social, ecological, cultural, economic); this module covers impact measurement.
- Utilizing monitoring and evaluation systems to track progress towards regenerative goals.
- Communicating the regenerative tourism journey and its positive impact to stakeholders and visitors.
- Scaling up regenerative tourism and fostering systemic change in the industry; this module addresses scaling up.
Training Approach
This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.
Tailor-Made Course
This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449
Training Venue
The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.
Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant
Certification
Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.
Airport Pickup and Accommodation
Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449
Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.
