Regenerative Tourism is a holistic approach to tourism that proactively works to improve ecosystems, elevate local economies, and promote meaningful and responsible visitor experiences. Authentic local representation, deep community involvement, and practical and innovative steps for conserving and enhancing the environment are central to this approach. Regenerative Tourism reveals how the industry can protect, enable, and grow strategies that benefit communities, cultures, and ecosystems of Southeast Alaska.
The word “Regenerative” is not a new concept, it is ancient, however many of us have found ourselves, our businesses, and our way of living far from this wisdom. The good news is, many are re-awakening to this concept and embracing the values in their organizations, businesses, and communities.
Regenerative Tourism is rooted in Indigenous values and knowledge systems that share the common belief that we are the stewards of the land, the animals, and the oceans. Indigenous knowledge states that everything is interconnected. Therefore the well-being of the environment is the well-being of the people.
The Tlingit, Haida, Eyak, and Tmishian peoples of Southeast Alaska lived on these lands for over 10,000 years. We believe that we can protect, enable, and grow strategies that benefit communities, cultures, and ecosystems of Southeast Alaska by leaning on their indigenous values, as well as benefiting the tourism industry economically.
These values upheld their culture, livelihood, lands, oceans, and wildlife. They understood that they were the stewards of the ecosystem, that it is all connected. When we apply these values to our own businesses, we become stewards of the ecosystem, resulting in an industry that is regenerative.
