DRAFT: Regenerative Travel Magazine 002

The Rise of Regenerative Hospitality

“Regeneration” is poised to be one of the main keywords of 2023. Within the rise of the regenerative economy, regenerative hospitality is predicted to have a dramatic impact on the industry. We hear from Dr Alessandro Inversini, Associate Professor in Marketing at EHL Hospitality Business School, who discusses his research and findings in the field of Regenerative Hospitality.

Thanks to a fruitful upcoming collaboration between EHL Hospitality Business School and the Institute of Tourism of HES-SO Valais/Wallis, we are conducting in-depth research on this paradigm shift. We are witnessing the rise of regenerative hospitality and we are predicting its possible expansion from luxury boutique hotels to mainstream properties.

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What is Regenerative Hospitality?

The concept of regenerative hospitality is a relatively new trend in the hospitality field and it can be understood as an aspirational business approach that focuses on creating net-positive impact on the environment, the community and wider society. Regenerative hospitality focuses on sustainability and environmental responsibility, prioritizing not only the protection and preservation of the natural environment and the local ecosystem but also an active contribution to the regeneration of it.

This must be done in collaboration with local communities where regenerative hotels try to build mutually beneficial relationships focusing, for example, on sourcing local food, providing employment opportunities for local community members, and supporting local businesses and local causes. In addition, regenerative hotels take a holistic approach to wellness, meaning that they strive to co-create relevant, and possibly transformative, experiences for the guests, orchestrating elements of the natural ecosystem and the wider society towards socio-culturalpsychological wellbeing.

Regenerative hospitality is committed to transparency and accountability; regenerative hoteliers are driven by the aspiration to do good in the place and for the people around them. These impactful organizations foster a local and qualitative approach to the specific ecosystem they are placed in and constantly work on maximizing their net-positive impact at all levels.

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These side businesses facilitated by the hotel support the local community and de-facto shorten the hotel supply chain.

Reflecting Inward

Regenerative

hospitality

tend

special

to

have

properties

care

not

only

towards the external environment and community

but

they

also

provide

special care for their guests by allowing hosts and staff at the hotel to co-create relevant experiences with them. It is the orchestration

of

natural,

social

and

cultural elements which are flourishing around

the

meaningful

properties

that

interpersonal

support

and

nature-

aim

to

create

to

guide

their

based relationships.

Regenerative mindful

Inward-Outward

Fogo

Regeneration

to

properties

positively

environment

feel

entrusted

contribute and

the

to

wider

the

society

around them; they are on an ecosystem One of the main aspects that stands out in

Regenerative

inward-outward

Hospitality nature

is of

the the

phenomenon

that

is

also

often

reflected

hotel’s

business

model

in

a

and positioning.

Island

Inn

in

Newfoundland,

Canada; the size of the property and its Regenerative

regeneration

mission

experiences

guests

Looking Outward

where

a

adaptation

to

the

natural

landscape

including the carpentry and furnishing works

were

agreed

with

the

local

community.

hotels

towards

transformative

moments. This is the case, for example, at Bliss and Stars in South Africa which takes

guests

on

an

inner

journey

of

meditation and relaxation supported by wild

nature

Central

in

and

this

expert

process

stargazing.

is

the

role

of

true local employees and community small

concern

for

nature

and

society

drives

These

consultations

often

lead

to

the businesses

all

decisions.

Consultations

with

local

creation

of

local

contribute

side

business

units

and community

members

and

to

local

who

co-creation

stakeholders. and socio-economic development, as in

to

directors the

operations

of

the

the

case

community

for

the

Jamaica;

relatively

support

of

the

the

creation

of

for

the

value

final

entrepreneurship

stakeholders are constantly conducted fine-tune

facilitate

that

Rockhouse

Hotel

in

able

to

we

Most met

of

the

during

managing

our

research

stressed the importance of hiring and business

in

the

ecosystems.

For

the

funders

were

growing example,

a

the

birth

and

rise

of

local

passionate

people

who

local care about nature and the community

long community consultation was put

businesses

such

as

water

bottling

in place to design and create

companies and hydroponic farms.

to

drive

the

model

forward

and

engage guests on a different level.

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to

3. Employee Retention

Why Do We Need Regenerative Hospitality?

Locally hired employees are part of this impactful picture and can support both the outward and inward nature of the ecosystem.

Additionally, having a ‘mission’ for the wider community will

What became apparent in our research journey was the interest and the passion of each professional we met with respect to their regenerative hospitality practices. The reasons for their enthusiasm could be drilled down to four main elements:

1. Local vs Global Regenerative Hospitality stresses local impact; it is less about generic sustainability guidelines to comply with and to justify towards a given body or certification authority. It is more about a genuine involvement with the local ecosystem. It is not about doing less harm to the environment and the community and it is more about local systemic net-positive impact.

Results are visible and the impact is understandable.

2. Harmonic Systemic Approach The outward (i.e. ecosystem and community) and inward (i.e. host and guest) worlds collaborate to facilitate net-positive impact for all. The hospitality business is not conceived in isolation but opens up and impacts inward and outward spheres. Nature and its complexity along with the multifaceted community forces are embraced to strengthen the acceptance and support of the hospitality operations in the supply chain but also for guests’ experiential journey.

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4. Guest Engagement Guests looking for sustainability-related experiences can easily relate to the concept of regenerative hospitality. But there is more than the marketing side to this approach; mindful experiences can trigger transformation and regeneration for guests and these experiences are often co-created with and orchestrated by local employees and local bodies. Therefore, this fosters the possibility of bilateral engagement.

All in all, the Regenerative Hospitality approach requires a mind-shift for hoteliers to really focus on that which is ‘local’; this will foster creativity at all levels thanks to commitment and engagement with nature, community and visitors.

Who is Regenerative Hospitality for?

In our study, we came across relatively small and privately owned properties which are driving the change in the hospitality field.

However, we believe there is space for all hospitality establishments to embrace the regenerative mindshift. The crucial action is just to start, so here below are some tips on how to start and progress:

1. Develop a regenerative proposition and draft a suitability/regenerative plan: What is regeneration for you? How can your business have a positive impact on the wider community? What can you and your colleagues do to make a difference locally?

in the community: Once you find your regenerative proposition, refine it with key community stakeholders. Engage in consultations; bring relevant stakeholders on board and start the regenerative journey.

2. Refine your idea with stakeholders

3.

Engage

‘ambassadors’ relationships

your

staff

to

establish

within

the

and

create

the natural environment and the staff. Harvest the richness of the world around you to promote change in your customers. community,

o not be shy of your achievements but do not brag about them either. Report them in a clear and concise way. Leading the local conversation and communicating your achievement will foster your national and international exposure in front of a target audience that will tune in to the conversation.

5. Track, Report and Communicate: D

meaningful

company

and

Always be crystal clear with your plan and give a purpose to your employees to serve their local community. outside the company.

4. Involve your guests and orchestrate experiential elements coming from the

ecome a RegenerativeTravel+ member to gain access to resources to help deepen your knowledge and application of regenerative principles and embark on your own regenerative journey.

B

practical

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Featured hotel

Khwai Lediba: Where Wildlife, Community, and Conservation Converge at African Bush Camps in Botswana with Beks Ndlovu

Featured in this article

Khwai Lediba Location:

Khwai River, Botswana

From:

$430

Welcome to Khwai Lediba, where an extraordinary African safari experience awaits. Immerse yourself in Moremi National Park's remarkable wildlife, set against the backdrop of the Okavango Delta.

Encounter lions, leopards, elephants, and giraffes roaming freely in their natural habitat, surrounded by the stunning African wilderness.

Khwai Lediba offers an array of thrilling activities, including game drives, walking safaris, and mokoro adventures (based on water levels). Connect intimately with the region's wildlife as you explore.

As part of the African Bush Camps Foundation’s community projects, you'll also have the chance to visit Khwai village preschool, witnessing the positive impact of purposeful travel firsthand.

Regenerative Traveller Benefits: RT+ MEMBERSHIP PERKS ///////////////// ////////////////////

///////////////////

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Discover the wonders of Khwai Lediba, a luxurious tented safari camp nestled along Botswana’s Khwai River, meticulously crafted by African Bush Camps. captivating walking safaris, and enchanting mokoro excursions, each unveiling the secrets of this untamed wilderness shaped

by African Bush Camps.

This remarkable destination sets the stage for awe-inspiring encounters with Africa’s majestic wildlife, inviting intrepid adventurers to venture into the expansive Moremi National Park, where untamed lions, elusive leopards, mighty elephants, and graceful giraffes roam freely amidst nature’s grandeur. Prepare for an unforgettable journey filled with thrilling game drives, ith

In its determined pursuit of a better future for both communities and nature, the African Bush Camps Foundation (ABCF) stands as an inspiring model for

conservation and impact. Guided by a profound commitment to uplifting lives and preserving the environment, ABCF channels its efforts into education, community empowerment, and conservation within the areas surrounding their camps and national parks. Addressing fundamental challenges faced by these communities, ABCF bridges educational gaps and tackles dwindling livelihoods head-on. Their comprehensive understanding of the intricate interdependencies between education, community empowerment, and conservation fuels transformative solutions,

igniting hope for a brighter tomorrow for both people and the natural world.

Reflecting on their remarkable journey, Beks Ndlovu, CEO of ABC, humbly shares, “Our ability to witness firsthand the transformation in the communities and wildlife areas that we support has been truly inspiring. It is not merely our achievements as a business that define us, but rather the pressing urgency and undeniable need we observe within the communities and wildlife areas that surround us.” Beks’s profound connection to nature, forged through his deep roots in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, has fueled a lifelong commitment to preserving wildlife and providing guests with a truly exceptional experience. Delve into Beks’s transformative vision, innovative approaches, and the profound impact of responsible tourism as you embark on an extraordinary journey that will leave an indelible mark on the natural world, shaping the future of travel with each step taken.

Join us as we embark on an unforgettable week of collaboration at the highly anticipated Regenerative Retreat 2023, hosted by Khwai Lediba. Join influential leaders from the travel and hospitality industries, gathering to share insights, forge meaningful connections, and shape the future of sustainable tourism. Guided by esteemed experts such as Dr. Sue Snyman, Director of Research of the Wildlife Economy at the African Leadership University, Beks Ndlovu, the visionary founder and CEO of African Bush Camps, and Amanda Ho, accomplished CEO of Regenerative Travel, this retreat offers a unique opportunity to delve into the intersection of travel and conservation. Engage with like-minded individuals, showcasing your own work, and collectively co-create a blueprint for the future, fostering a harmonious balance between tourism and the preservation of natural wonders.

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Our foundation projects are in the heart of local communities like Dete, Khwai, Mola, and Maunga where our camp staff come from, which allows us to not just impact the lives of our staff through creating employment opportunities for them in our camps, but we are also touching and impacting their families at home by educating their children in the schools we support, feeding their parents through community gardens, promoting and supporting their skills projects, and protecting their livestock with our boma project that mitigates human-wildlife conflict.

The success of any foundation is not just in how it implements good projects in the community, but also in how it walks that transformation journey with the communities it aims to help. Over the years, we have seen the community we support rally behind us, dig trenches with us, cook and serve meals to the children with us, clear fields and be open to learning and working with us to protect wildlife in the natural park. These are the memories and successes that continue to shape, motivate, and drive us to do more.

Of the several impact projects African Bush Camps has been involved with, which one has meant the most to you and why? Are there any specific project success stories/milestones you can share?

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There are so many impact stories that stand out as highlights for ABCF, but the biggest is the collective impact that the foundation has made and added to ABC since 2006. The foundation has enabled us to do more as a business over and above the bottom line and offer an unforgettable safari experience. It has given us a powerful vehicle for change that brings everyone along on the journey.

The tourism industry is quickly evolving with more and more businesses looking for ways to get involved in building a sustainable business that gives back and makes a lasting impact, and our foundation is playing a unique role in creating room not just for African Bush Camps but for its trade partners and other businesses that we work with to partner and collaborate with to further drive change and impact.

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Can you define the ABC Way for someone who has never heard of it, including the underlying philosophy and how someone might recognize it in person?

because of the shortcomings and failures of organizations that came before us. This is why our biggest strive is to ensure that whatever we do has longevity and is sustainable so the community can benefit from it.

We define the ABC Way as sharing and conserving Africa together. It involves taking true custodianship of the areas, wildlife, and people around our camps that we have been privileged enough to have under our care.

This is the fundamental purpose behind the vision of our camps and our foundation, and it involves bringing others along with us on the journey.

I can’t attribute my inspiration to a single individual or an organisation, but what has been inspiring for me is to be able to see the difference we have made as an organisation in the short 18 years that we have existed. We have been seeing the transformation in the communities and wildlife areas that we support in real-time; we are not waiting for generations to see the difference; we are seeing the change unfold as we grow. It is not about what we have done and achieved as a business or what others have done before us, rather it’s being moved and stirred by the need and urgency in the communities and wildlife areas around us. I have seen how in one-year wilderness areas in some communities have disappeared and the conditions in the communities have deteriorated due to a lack of resources and custodianship. And this is why our vision and drive to be true custodians and ambassadors of the land, the wildlife and the people is so critical.

What is your biggest source of inspiration?

The ABC Way is the DNA and attitude of our business. It’s how we can make a more authentic connection with our guests to enhance their stay with us, and how we can make an impact as a business in the communities near our camps and conserve the national parks where we operate.

The ABC Way is encompassed in three core pillars: our guest experience, our foundation, and our people. Through the guest experience, we aim to create “WOW moments” by making guests feel at home and a part of our family when they are staying with us, and we go out of our way to know our guests so we can tailor the experience to suit their needs and preferences. Our people are passionate and strive for excellence, quality, safety, and caring for the land and its people. Through our foundation, we educate, develop, and empower communities and conserve the land.

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What have been some of the

biggest challenges you’ve faced in creating meaningful impact or running an impactfocused business?

The challenge with doing what we do is that we are dealing with very remote places that are often very difficult to access, and we are generally dealing with a population that is not as educated. We are faced with the challenge of trying to make them see the bigger picture.

In the areas where we operate, we have found that one of the biggest challenges that makes our job difficult is that we come after various NGOs have entered certain areas

for a period of time, trying to make some kind of change and contribution to the community. Unfortunately, it is often not bottom-up and does not take into consideration what the community needs, their skillset, and their culture.

Anything that is done for the community that does not consider their needs and culture over time is a waste of funds because the community is not empowered or partnered with to look after it.

In other instances, some NGOs have gone into some of these communities and made promises that were not fulfilled, and they did not consult with or work with the community. Therefore, we are now dealing with a mentality amongst the community where they do not believe that the change we are trying to bring about now will last

The difference that we have made in certain wildlife spaces and communities coupled with the difference that we have seen made by other organisations in areas where we may not be active really gives me the energy and inspiration to say that “we can make a difference.” And “we” is not just ABC, it is everyone we come across that we can influence to be a part of the journey.

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Featured hotel

Pioneering in Pokhara, Nepal: Featured in this article

The Story of Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge

Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge Location:

Pokhara, Nepal

From:

$540

Discover your personal sanctuary atop the mountains at this rejuvenating getaway. Ascend to your private mountain retreat and pause to absorb the grandeur of the Himalayan panorama. Nestled on a ridge overlooking Pokhara in central Nepal, Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge presents an ideal haven for shedding stress and connecting deeply with both your inner self and the natural world. The serene stone cottage rooms, meticulously crafted, boast the comfort of Tibetan rugs and original artwork, ensuring that indulgence in Himalayan opulence is in no short supply. Beyond being a mere spiritual escape, Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge actively engages with the local community on social and environmental issues. The authentic Nepali cuisine, sourced locally, provides another avenue to immerse yourself in the cultural tapestry of Nepal.

Be assured that your stay here will not only revitalize your spirit but also contribute positively to the surrounding world.

Regenerative Traveller Benefits: RT+ MEMBERSHIP PERKS Receive $99 travel credit towards a 3 minimum night stay Special amenities in room (Kettle, Nepalese organic tea, selection of homemade snacks, mixed spice nuts, furandana, namkeen and similar) Special Lavanya Luxury Ayurveda or Wildearth toiletries set

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Historically a commercial hub connecting India and Tibet, Pokhara evolved to be a metropolitan city with far more to offer than just trade.

The Origins of Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge The idea for Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge came about a long time ago. In the mid-80s there was a growing demand for adventurebased tourism in the Himalayas. Not only that, there seemed to be a gap between intensive and extensive trekking expeditions and more restful stays where guests could partake in day walks focusing on wildlife and conservation activities while returning to the comforts of a luxurious lodge at the end of each day.

And so the initial idea for Tiger Mountain was born. However, ideas take time and constant commitment to come to fruition and finding the right spot of land to create such a unique lodge took a while. Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge finally opened its doors in October 1998 after ten years of ruminating and concept development.

Tucked into the Himalayas and sitting on the picturesque Phewa Lake, Pokhara let nature lead the way. The name for Nepal’s second largest city comes from the Nepali word “Pokhari” meaning “pond” so it’s no surprise that natural formations are Pokhara’s greatest protagonist.

Today the city is also the gateway for adventure seekers and mountaineers to the spectacular Annapurna Himal part of the central Himalaya. As of January 2023, Pokhara has an international airport 16

although despite its increasing popularity as a destination for global travelers, the city still maintains its charm.

Not only a city, Pokhara is also a valley (one of a series through the Himalaya, known as doons). Perched 1,000 feet above Pokhara Valley lies the ultimate Himalayan retreat, Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge. With a mountainous backdrop that blends reality with the illusion of a crisp, acrylic painting, the lodge consists of clusters of cottages that

resemble

a

traditional

Nepali

village.

The ideal escape pre- and post-hike or simply a perch from which to take in Nepal’s spectacular landscapes, Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge has long been a pioneer and champion of regenerative travel.

From the outset, there was a focus on making Tiger Mountain an environmentally responsible lodge and one that inherently respected the place and culture of its setting.

Marcus Cotton, Co-owner and Managing Director of Tiger Mountain, recalls the shifting of language and labels over the years from eco to responsible to sustainable and now to regenerative. This is thanks to the ever-evolving nature of tourism that cares about people and place; the wording might change over time but the intentions remain the same. “A lot of what we were doing was regenerative 25 years ago,” Cotton remarks.

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The

catalyst

firmly

on

Roberts,

for

the

trekking

founder

company,

placing

Valley

Later

Jimmy

owners

Pokhara

map?

of

Nepal’s

Mountain

Travel

Col.

first

lodge)

trekking

Nepal.

the

land

(some

and

was of

the

purchased

whom

process

still

of

from

work

local

at

upgrading

from

tents started. Expert naturalist guides and a

Later an

network of day hikes around the lodge were

entourage of 90 camp followers set out on a

added alongside comfortable rooms instead

trek in the Himalayas in 1980, just before he

of the earlier tents and the transition from a

was

trekking night stop to a focused lodge was

Prince

Charles

engaged

(as

to

he

then

Princess

was)

Diana.

and

Later

the

BBC came along to follow his trek route and

underway.

so began a trail that today is still known as To

the Royal Trek.

add

to

Tiger

Mountain’s

fame-related

tales, Sir Edmund Hillary, the New Zealand Mountain

Travel

Nepal

organized

Prince

inundated

with

travelers

wanting

(the

company

Charles’s demand

to

embark

that

mountaineer

was

being

the

global

guide,

Tenzing

trek) from on

the

same

Everest,

and

first

explorer

person Norgay)

opened

Tiger

renowned

(along to

for

with

Sherpa

summit

Mount

Mountain

Pokhara

trekking route as the Prince of Wales. Cotton

Lodge in October 1998. A long-time fan of

shares

Nepal

that

to

start

with,

Mountain

Travel

and

grateful

for

the

life-changing

Nepal rented the site where the lodge is now

experience the country had offered him, Sir

and

Ed

they

got

to

work

on

meeting

all

the

demand.

(as

he

was

inaugurated

universally

Tiger

known)

Mountain

to

The Valley That’s Lived a Thousand Lives

the

gladly

encourage

guests to experience the unique Himalayan landscapes from the reassuring comfort of

More than just a postcard-idyll destination,

It’s

Pokhara Valley is an example of resilience

Nepal.

and

the

insurgency that had economic impact. “The

protagonist in this part of the world but this

vision that these are occasional blips in an

also

otherwise

regeneration.

entails

Nature

dealing

with

is

certainly

occasions

when

just

true,”

severe

Mountain

and

earthquakes

Tiger

to

Mountain

pandemics, have

always

Pokhara had

he

says. is

disasters

describes

wonderful

responsible;

to

natural

Cotton

nature throws all its force at a place. From

In

a

affect

ten-year

Maoist

tourist

way,

inherently the

a

that

lodge

this

haven is

is

why

regenerative

operates

in

a

not

Tiger and place

create systems to cope with whatever comes

that constantly has to evolve and adapt to

their way.

diverse situations.

Pioneer of tourism in Nepal and co-founder of Tiger Mountain, Jim Edwards once said that to understand tourism in the country, it was necessary to take the biblical notion of seven fat years followed by seven lean years and turn it on its head. He said that in Nepal, often it’s 13 lean years followed by one fat year that makes up for it all, emotionally as well as economically.

responsible style.

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not

19

Resilience and

Regeneration Go Hand in Hand

Cotton shares that 80% of the staff at the lodge are the same people that were there on the opening day in 1998. He is always encouraging the staff to be responsible in every sense of the word. The office door is always open and there is no password on the computer so that if members of the team want to look at anything related to the running of Tiger Mountain, they can— nothing is hidden. Cotton shares that “in the hills of Nepal, the reality of life is that it goes at walking pace.” This is why he always wants to kindle interest in staff members to have more than just a ‘9 to 5’ mentality; he allows people the space and time to develop, grow and learn. Recently one of the senior team tried scuba diving in Bali after a trade fair – it is all about experiences. Today the regenerative work at the lodge is led by Ishwar in addition to his work in administration and accounts.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was the staff who sat Marcus down and suggested their pay should be temporarily reduced.

They insisted that they’d seen the numbers themselves and wanted to be at the lodge for the long haul. They’d determined that the only way to keep the lodge alive, and ultimately keep their jobs in the long term, was to have their salaries cut while tourism was at a standstill in Nepal. And so their salaries were cut, the lodge survived, and staff members are now gradually being repaid the salary that they lost during that period.

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He proudly states that none of the staff has been formally hotel trained but they have all simply invented the way they do things as they’ve gone along. He believes that this makes things more distinctive and special, and less formulaic.

Cotton looks at what other hotels do and usually decides to do the exact opposite in a bid not to become dull and homogenous. For example, at Tiger Mountain staff members don’t have name tags and the idea is that

this will strike up conversations and create engagement between guests and the staff. “It doesn’t mean that you’re not professional, it just means that you have your own identity and style,” he insists.

Aside from the strong sense of community, Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge has zero waste going to landfill. Cotton admits that currently they’re storing plastic to avoid sending it to landfill while they work on a long term regenerative solution.

He is increasingly anxious and determined that tourism must become a force for good far more than it currently is, a notion shared by everyone contributing to the regenerative travel paradigm shift. He believes that collectively, we can all work to make tourism a positive force for good for employees, guests, the host community, the local built environment and for nature.

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Tiger Mountain has a fantastic yoga teacher, Shyam, who comes from the high mountains just north of Annapurna 1 and delightfully joins guests at breakfast after classes. There are

also

meditation

leaders

and

massage

therapists so every adventure can be met by an equally soothing way to disconnect and rejuvenate.

The

Tiger

evolving

a

Mountain uniquely

team Nepali

is

currently

derivation

of

forest bathing known as Ban Magan (“Ban” meaning

“forest”

“meditation”)

and

which

is

“Magan”

meaning

different

from

the

Japanese version. They are creating their own Nepali way of doing it that consists of two different routes: one can be self-guided so guests can calmly go it alone and the other is a guided, actively mind-focusing option.

Marcus also reveals that some little phonesized bags caught his attention and he now wants to create “mobile sleeping bags” and put

them

in

all

the

rooms

to

encourage

guests to fully detach themselves from their devices. He says in recent years he’s noticed a decline in engagement among guests due to phones and other electronic devices and he’d like

to

change

that

to

increase

human

interaction and connection. There are plenty of analog experiences to enjoy in Pokhara where

digital

devices

aren’t

necessary—

perhaps that is the biggest conscious luxury of all.

Pokhara Pokhara is an accessible gateway to some of

Where Adventure

the world’s finest trekking in and around the Annapurna

Meets Calm

Himal.

course,

beautiful

eastern

Nepal.

Mount

but

is

Pokhara

Everest

less is

is,

of

accessible

in

the

country’s

adventure capital; walks can be a one-day trek, accompanied by a picnic breakfast and

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serves

as

an

example

that

even

lunch. Days at Tiger Mountain can include

when the going gets tough and we’re faced

paragliding

an

with seemingly insurmountable challenges,

the

there’s always a way around it. There will

high Himalaya where travelers can soar

always be another fat year on the horizon to

alongside eagles and vultures. It’s also a

make up for any current difficulties.

over

the

ecologically-friendly

silent

and

calming

Pokhara way

of

way

Valley, seeing

to

see

the

Himalayas without engine noise.

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Featured hotel

Celebrating Wythe Hotel as the first New York Regenerative Hotel™

Featured in this article

member leading the way

Wythe Hotel

in urban regeneration

Lo c at i o n :

From:

New York, USA

$300

Situated New

within

York

City,

Brooklyn's

dynamic

borough

of

the

Hotel

a

to

Wythe

is

tribute

revival, skillfully intertwining the past and present.

Inhabiting a transformed 1901 factory, this urban boutique

gem

contemporary crafting

a

effortlessly

elements

hospitable

with

haven

harmonizes

historical

that

nuances,

resonates

with

both visitors and locals seeking a genuine sense of belonging.

Elevating community and culture, the Wythe Hotel offers an authentic experience that mirrors the rich diversity of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Collaborative relationships

with

the

local

community

underscore its ethos. Showcasing an assortment of sketches

and

artistic

pieces

by

creators,

the

rooms

boast

custom

crafted

by

meticulously

local

New

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artisans

using

reclaimed wood from the building itself. The onsite French-inspired brasserie serves up a farm-totable

seasonal

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Regenerative Traveller Benefits: RT+ MEMBERSHIP PERKS Receive $99 F&B credit on 3+ night stay that we recommend using at Le Crocodile or Bar Blondeau for a dozen oysters and a local spirit-forward cocktail.

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27

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Promoting inclusion and diversity In keeping with the Williamsburg community’s diverse and inclusive nature, Wythe Hotel places a strong emphasis on hiring a staff from diverse backgrounds. The hotel also supports local organizations through various initiatives, such as providing space, services, and financial donations. During the pandemic, Wythe Hotel opened its doors to medical workers, while its

restaurant, Le Crocodile, worked to prepare and deliver meals to a local ICU. This initiative aligns with SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, Target 10.2, which aims to promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

Preserving its industrial roots

industrial roots, including exposed brick walls, cast iron columns, and wooden ceilings.

One of the hotel’s most notable features is its adaptive reuse design that preserves the building’s century-old industrial roots. The hotel has retained the original features of the building, such as the exposed brick walls, cast iron columns, wooden ceilings, and arched windows, and has beautifully showcased them.

Wythe Hotel also hired local craftsmen to repurpose materials found in the building’s demolition to create unique and artistic guest room furnishings, adding a touch of local artistry to each room. This initiative aligns with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, Target 11.4, which aims to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.

Wythe Hotel is the first hotel member in New York for Regenerative Travel, a community of hotels dedicated to regenerative tourism. The hotel’s undertaking of regenerative hospitality is evident through its efforts towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By preserving history, promoting inclusivity, restoring ecosystems, reducing waste, and prioritizing health and well-being, Wythe Hotel is contributing to a more sustainable and equitable future for all

Bar Blondeau is a French-style bar from chef partners Aidan O’Neal and Jake Leiber (Le Crocodile, Chez Ma Tante), located on the sixth floor of Wythe Hotel

Located in Williamsburg’s Wythe Hotel, Le Crocodile is an all-day neighborhood brasserie from Chef Partners Jake Leiber and Aidan O’Neal

Resorting marine and coastal ecosystems Beyond its commitment to the community, the Wythe also strives to reduce waste and assist in ecosystem restoration. The hotel’s restaurant, Le Crocodile, partners with the non-profit Billion Oyster Project to reuse discarded shells from oysters, clams, and scallops served in the restaurant.

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These shells undergo a year-long curing process before being seeded with oyster larvae and placed in reef restoration sites, contributing to the project’s goal of restoring one billion oysters to New York Harbor. This initiative aligns with SDG 14: Life Below Water, Target 14.2, which aims to sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems and take action for their restoration.

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Prioritizing health and safety of guests and staff with new protocols In addition to its focus on responsible consumption and production, Wythe Hotel is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for its guests and employees. The hotel has implemented a variety of health and safety measures, including contactless check-in and check-out, increased cleaning protocols, and providing personal protective equipment for staff.

This initiative aligns with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, Target 3.8, which aims to achieve universal health

coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.

Wythe Hotel’s commitment to social responsibility, sustainability, and community impact makes it a regenerative hotel that aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. By preserving history, providing a sense of community representative of the

Reducing food waste through sustainable sourcing and composting Wythe Hotel’s commitment to responsible consumption and production is evident in its food waste reduction initiatives.

The hotel’s restaurant, Le Crocodile, sources its ingredients from local and sustainable producers and focuses on creating seasonal and inventive menus. Any food waste is composted and used to grow fresh produce, which is then used in the restaurant.

This initiative aligns with SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, Target 12.3, which aims to reduce food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains.

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Regenerative Travel is committed to transforming the travel industry into a force for positive change. Our mission is to promote a regenerative mindset among travelers and industry stakeholders to create a more equitable and sustainable future.

Through our advocacy, education, and collaboration efforts, we aim to drive practical solutions that empower regenerative principles. We believe that by working together, we can promote economic, social, and environmental wealth while fostering a more just and equitable society. At Regenerative Travel, we are dedicated to creating a better world through travel.

Featured hotel

Featured in this article

Cherero Camp Location:

Musabi Plains, Serengeti, Tanzania

From:

$785.40

Situated within Brooklyn's dynamic borough of New York City, the Wythe Hotel is a tribute to revival, skillfully intertwining the past and present.

Inhabiting a transformed 1901 factory, this urban boutique gem effortlessly harmonizes contemporary elements with historical nuances, crafting a hospitable haven that resonates with both visitors and locals seeking a genuine sense of belonging.

The Tanzanian Safari Camp

Empowering Women and Creating CommunityBased Change 40

Elevating community and culture, the Wythe Hotel offers an authentic experience that mirrors the rich diversity of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Collaborative relationships with the local community underscore its ethos. Showcasing an assortment of sketches and artistic pieces by New York-based creators, the rooms boast custom furnishings meticulously crafted by local artisans using reclaimed wood from the building itself. The on-site French-inspired brasserie serves up a farm-to-table seasonal menu, highlighting the region's bountiful produce.

Regenerative Traveller Benefits: RT+ MEMBERSHIP PERKS Receive $99 F&B credit on 3+ night stay that we recommend using at Le Crocodile or Bar Blondeau for a dozen oysters and a local spirit-forward cocktail.

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In the vast expanse of the Musabi Plains, with their golden grasslands and rock formations, lies Cherero Camp, one of Kantabile Afrika’s two ecofriendly dwellings.

The camp is located in a remote part of the Serengeti National Park, providing scenic views, while offering guests the opportunity to experience the rich biodiversity of Tanzania and enjoy the art of conscious luxury.

In 2012, the creators of Kantabile Afrika came together with a goal of building a purposeful existence for themselves. The origin of Cherero Camp is rooted in a love story, and the camp as it stands today is the fruit of a decade-long labor of love. In Swahili, ‘Cherero’ refers to the name of lovebirds. This project has manifested from lessons that the founders, Vivian and Godwin Temba, learned from their determination to adhere to their own values and beliefs, ultimately leading to discovering the “right way” of how to operate their property.

Regenerative Travel reached out to Vivian, owner of Cherero Camp and Sophia, the camp’s passionate and ambitious hostess, to learn more about nature, sustainability, community development and the representation of women in Tanzania, and how travelers may do their part to contribute towards social innovation.

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Prioritizing the development of technology, innovation and education in a way that is inclusive

Tracing the History of Gender Inequality in Tanzania, Africa

and accessible to women

Women are encouraged to actively engage in the digital world where the capacity of digital financial services in Tanzania have been enhanced for those in rural and urban areas. Institutions like the Small Industries Development Organization (SIDO), Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS), and Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA) have been instrumental in helping women polish their skills in digital finance.

Gender inequality has been a pervasive issue in Tanzania for many years. Women have traditionally been the homemakers and held lower social and economic status

The government of Tanzania has made significant growth in political inclusion for women in recent years. Here are some examples:

Redefining women leadership that increases organizational effectiveness and growth Tanzania’s current president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, has appointed a number of women to key cabinet positions. In 2021, Hassan appointed Dr. Stergomena Tax as the

Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation and Dr. Dorothy Gwajima as the Minister for Community Development, Gender, Women, and Special Groups.

Accelerating women economic empowerment through climatesmart agricultural collaborations

The Tanzanian population depends on agriculture as a primary means of

livelihood. Agriculture provides more than two-thirds of employment and half of Tanzania’s GDP and women are the majority of the labor force (54%). However, female farmers have limited access and control over their resources. To address this, a partnership was formed between UN Women and the Tanzanian Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements and local authorities to help women become landowners. This initiative gifted women with larger crop yields, diversified farming activities, and increased access to loans for necessary purchases.

While there has been advancement in bridging the gender gap, achieving gender equality in Tanzania will require sustained efforts to alleviate disparities and address challenges like cultural norms and stereotypes, and other systemic obstacles to create positive environments that welcome fresh perspectives from women in decision-making processes.

Fortunately, there are many companies and organizations, such as Cherero Camp, that are leading the way by taking concrete steps to empower women. Vivian has shared with us how Cherero Camp is doing its part for gender equality, diversity, and inclusion and why it is important to invest in the local community and its women in particular.

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Embracing JEDI: How

Cherero Camp is Leading the Way in Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Cherero Camp strives to create a peaceful and harmonious environment that fosters balance and tranquility. Vivian states that nature has males and females. Male energy and female energy complement each other in nature, and that is how we should thrive in society. Female representation is especially important in a developing country like Tanzania because of the status quo of society.

Men there often prioritize financial considerations and have a shorter-term perspective. In contrast, when women are elevated, they tend to focus on the wellbeing of their families and long-term future of their children. This leads to positive effects that can be felt for generations, making it a sustainable and impactful approach. By recognizing and encouraging the unique contributions that women can bring to the table, we can create a more balanced and equitable society that benefits everyone.

Women also need stronger support from their male counterparts. Although there has been an increase of women in the workforce, the representation of women in higher positions still falls short. Vivian had the pleasure of working with a female hostess whose dream was to become a

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safari guide. Ironically, the hostess’s husband, who works as a safari guide, wanted her to stay home. The team demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting their colleague by making accommodations for her to have a favorable work schedule. While she possessed a strong desire and drive to work in the bush, her aspirations were sadly stifled by her husband’s domineering behavior.

Until women get enough support from men, gender equality will be difficult to achieve. Regenerative Travel took a closer look at how understanding obstacles that women encounter in leadership positions can unlock new opportunities for advancement and development. By delving into the experiences of Sophia, another hostess at Cherero Camp, we can gain valuable insights to help us drive real change.

Let us use Sophia’s insights as a powerful catalyst to elevate women’s voices and drive ongoing innovation within communities.

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Through the spirit of hospitality, Sophia was able to embrace her authenticity as a hostess at Cherero Camp. She extends herself to guests and her team members through kindness and generosity, creating a ripple effect of positive energy and goodwill that is changing her community.

Lead by example so you provide a path to guide others

How to Empower Women in Tanzania, According to Sophia, Cherero Camp’s Hostess Champion women and celebrate their originality Female leadership is highly esteemed and celebrated at Cherero Camp. To be a hostess at the camp means to promote hospitality as a way of life. Hospitality is about creating an inclusive atmosphere and making room for everyone at the table, both literally and figuratively.

When we practice hospitality, we are actively inviting others to join us and share in our space, our resources, and our lives.

This means being open and accepting of others, regardless of their background, beliefs, or lifestyle.

Hospitality is also a valuable spiritual asset for community building. Hospitality can help us to cultivate a deeper sense of empathy, compassion, and interconnectedness with each other. When we welcome others into our lives and communities, we are reminded of our common humanity and our shared struggles and aspirations. This may serve asinspiration to work together to support one another on our individual journeys of growth and transformation.

When a leader sets a positive example, it helps establish a productive work culture, builds trust and respect, and can motivate others to strive for excellence. This allows a leader to showcase the values and attitudes they expect from their team members.

Seeing a leader who is ready to actively participate and collaborate with their team can be a source of inspiration, as it shows everyone is in unity towards a common goal.

Embrace setbacks as a natural part of the growth process Navigating the unique challenges of being a woman in leadership has been a significant undertaking, particularly when leading a team of predominantly older male individuals. There are times when Sophia felt intimidated by their reactions which made her question her own authority and struggle with the sense that she was unfairly misjudged based on her gender. Despite all of this, the Cherero Camp team has been working on providing leadership training to build her assertiveness and overall skill set.

Cultivate grit and grace, the power of passion and perseverance Cultivating a strong sense of self-belief is a big component of being an effective leader.

When you understand yourself better, you will be able to lead with authenticity, purpose, and integrity. This encourages team members to feel comfortable under a leader’s guidance.

Remember your magic and your ability to shake the world Always invest and believe in yourself. No one else is going to do that for you other than yourself. Prepare to seize any opportunity that comes your way and take all that you can. Continuously sharpen your toolbox to enable successful outcomes.

Each team member at Cherero Camp is handpicked based on what they can offer.

Sophia is a prime example of why having a diverse team makes all the difference; it brings a range of perspectives and experiences to conversations. Cherero Camp’s dedication to promoting gender diversity and equality remains unwavering, as they persist in pushing boundaries and advocating for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) for all.

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Adventures fill the soul; it’s about deciding to just go Escaping to Cherero Camp means rediscovering your true self by immersing in theserene beauty of nature. Guests have the opportunity to enjoy rejuvenating experiences, including yoga, meditation, delectable meals, and breathtaking bird watching and stargazing sessions. Not to mention awe-inspiring safaris and opportunities to witness unique natural phenomena like the Great Wildebeest Migration.

Stepping into the great outdoors makes us appreciate the simplest things in life that are crucial to our existence—fresh air, space and a sense of belonging. There are many different ways to experience the outdoors, and Vivian’s best piece of advice is to just: Go!

Cherero Camp’s hope is to become a trailblazer in the realm of regenerative travel in Africa. As they find themselves at the forefront of a paradigm shift, there is the essence of agency to generate waves of transformative change.

One of their central focuses is to honor the gifts and talents of a generation of young, courageous Tanzanian women and show how they may accomplish more than they thought imaginable.

As more female leaders become prevalent in Africa and assume positions of influence, Cherero Camp hopes to welcome conscious travelers willing to support women-run tourism businesses.

Become a RegenerativeTravel+ member to receive $99 travel credit towards a 3-night minimum stay at Cherero Camp and embark on your own regenerative journey.

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Featured hotel

Bliss & Stars Wilderness Retreat: Featured in this article

A Fusion of Spirituality and Science

Bliss & Stars Lo c at i o n

:

Cederberg Mountains, South Africa.

From

:

$752.25

Detach from the external world and prioritize your wellbeing at this sophisticated retreat in South Africa.

Cradled by the serene embrace of the Cederberg Mountains, Bliss & Stars presents a lavish haven for immersing in the wild and rediscovering your inner balance. Amidst rocky landscapes and star-studded skies, the resort is a sanctuary that beckons you to decelerate and embrace the intricate beauty of the natural world.

Thoughtfully designed to honor the encompassing mountains, Bliss & Stars seamlessly weaves meditation, movement, culinary delights, and astronomy into a holistic wellness experience.

Accommodations encompass chalets and tented chalets harmoniously nestled within the rocky environment. The fusion of Nordic minimalism with the expansive aura of South African wilderness epitomizes its design ethos. Conceived as an ultimate countermeasure to the frenzy of modern life, Bliss & Stars inspires guests to recognize the potency of nature and the art of being present.

Regenerative Traveller Benefits: RT+ MEMBERSHIP PERKS Receive $99 travel credit towards a 3-night minimum stay on a group/scheduled retreat or $299 travel credit toward a 3-night minimum stay when booking a private retreat Private session with one of the owners (astrophotographer) where you will hear about the importance of the night sky for our well-being, be taken on the journey through the cosmic landscape and the beginnings of the universe, get introduced to astrophotography and will have a private night photogra phy session (weather permitting) Private 1:1 somatic stress release session with one of the owners (meditation teacher) One of our ritual boxes (Rest, Thrive, or Bliss) – clean, non-toxic Bliss & Stars skincare line

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Here, the luxury of space and stillness provides an opportunity to press pause, slow down and disconnect before reconnecting with our inner self, nature and the universe. Restoration and regeneration of the body, mind and heart, and appreciation for the natural world around us are at the forefront of Bliss & Stars’ dogma-free “down to earth” ethos.

Tucked away in South Africa’s spectacular and ancient Cederberg Mountain Range is Bliss & Stars: an antidote to a hectic, noisy, overwhelming and demanding lifestyle.

“Come as you are because all you need is already within you,” say Bliss & Stars’ founders Daria and Heine Rasmussen, who have a holistic approach to wellness in all forms: physical, mental, emotional and social. “We invite you to experience awe as you slow down, simplify complexity and soften separation from the natural world.

Come harmonize with the natural rhythms of the universe and simply be.”

Fusing Science and Spirituality to Better Connect to Nature

If we look around us, we can see that signs of the cosmos are everywhere, embodied in everything from vast galaxies to tiny snails. The cosmos is deeply embedded in our DNA. Daria and Heine believe that spirituality and science are deeply interconnected, and that the fusion of the two offers a unique perspective on the nature of reality and our place in the universe, leading to greater inner peace and connection to the world around us.

“We invite you to experience awe as you slow down,

simplify complexity and soften separation from the

Daria is a certified Mindfulness Teacher and Breathwork Coach with an MA in Sociology, and Heine is an Astronomer and Astro-photography pro. “We are science and spirituality. We use nature, the night sky, movement, and mindfulness to help people discover their inner self and how it connects to the energy provided by nature.”

natural world. Come harmonize with the natural rhythms of the universe and simply be.”

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It is this power of the senses that is central to Bliss & Stars, where a variety of retreats are offered. Built on two foundations – mind and body, and nature – the immersive retreats combine the benefits of mindfulness practices, breathwork, naturebased activities, astronomy and food.

One such retreat is Star Bathing, a journey of cosmic and personal discovery, where inner space meets deep outer space.

Guided star meditations and relaxation sessions help you let go of the distractions of daily life while being immersed in the astounding beauty of the natural world.

“By making astrophysics more relatable, we can help people appreciate the beauty and mystery of the universe. One

e Treat Yourself to Guided Star Meditations (R )

“Our first experience of the night sky in the Cederberg cemented our decision to move to South Africa and create Bliss & Stars,” say Daria and Heine, who are both familiar with the burnout that can be experienced from a high-paced corporate career.

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“The smell of the bush, the sound of the crickets and the absence of human sound, together with the star-studded sky and billions of light points wrapping us in a blanket was a profound sensory experience. We were blissed out.”

can’t help but feel a sense of awe and connection to the cosmos while gazing up at the starry skies. What if you could

deepen that connection to the celestial objects above and your inner self?”

— heine

Other Bliss & Stars experiences include the following retreats: Silent, Couples, Breath of Life, Bloom and Self-Compassion. They have recently launched the Eat & Thrive Cooking Retreat and will soon launch a cookbook: Eat & Thrive.

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From Astronomy to Gastronomy: Connecting With the Natural World Through Food

One of the hotel’s most notable features is its adaptive reuse design that preserves the building’s century-old industrial roots. The hotel has retained the original features of the building, such as the exposed brick walls, cast iron columns, wooden ceilings, and arched windows, and has beautifully showcased them.

Wythe Hotel also hired local craftsmen to repurpose materials found in the building’s demolition to create unique and artistic guest room furnishings, adding a touch of local artistry to each room. This initiative aligns with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, Target 11.4, which aims to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.

The Eat & Thrive cookbook is a collection of recipes and a guide to living a more regenerative and sustainable life. It is about the joy of food – what we eat but more importantly, how we eat and how we feel about food.

Food is a key component when it comes to balancing our nervous system. It heightens our senses, grounds us in our body, and connects us to the Earth. Food is an integral part of the Bliss & Stars experience, where delicious plant-based cuisine is inspired by nature and designed to nourish every guest from the inside out.

“We’re not preaching a vegan lifestyle, we’re just showing you how tasty and satisfying plant-based food can be,” says Daria. “We focus on regenerative cooking, which is cooking in a way that benefits ourselves and the planet while using locally-sourced and organic ingredients, reducing food waste, and cooking in a way that supports sustainable food systems.”

“Although the majority of our guests don’t typically follow plant-based diets, we manage to surprise and inspire people with the beauty and depth of vegetables and grains.”

— Daria

It’s Not Just a Place, It’s a Feeling Bliss & Stars is not your typical retreat.

It’s a space where guests are treated as friends. It’s a feeling of home, and a space to transcend. It’s here that we are invited to absorb the soul-nourishing luxury of stillness, space, clean air, unparalleled views and star-infused skies while practicing mindfulness, 58

cultivating compassion, and building community connections. With Daria and Heine as trusted guides, Bliss & Stars awakens us to the magic and profound simplicity of life and the essence of who we are.

Become a RegenerativeTravel+ member to receive $99 travel credit towards a 3-night minimum stay at Bliss & Stars and embark on your own regenerative journey.

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Women in Travel: Key Lessons from Leading Women Striving to Further Regenerative Tourism

To celebrate women in travel, we caught up with some of the women leading the way in the travel industry, from hoteliers to travel advisors, to hear about their key learnings and what advice they want to impart on others working towards the paradigm shift to a more regenerative, climate-friendly approach to travel.

Daria Rasmussen, Founder and CEO of Bliss & Stars, an off-grid wilderness retreat in the Cederberg Mountains, South Africa

Whether you’re just starting out in the travel industry or you’re a well-seasoned expert who knows the ins and outs of the travel sector, we want to further promote the sharing of knowledge and ideas to inspire everyone to continue working towards a common vision of travel that actively benefits communities, environments and wildlife.

Here are some key takeaways, life lessons and expert advice from nine women placing regenerative travel at the forefront of everything that they do.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from your work in the travel industry?

I learned a life-changing lesson when I was at a crossroads in my career. For over two decades I worked in the media and advertising industry, and I thought I knew it all. Deep down, I felt unfulfilled, and I knew that I wanted to make a bigger impact on the world. So, I decided to take a risk and pursue my passion for creating a unique experience that prioritized compassion, and care for oneself and the world.

When I first shared my vision I faced a lot of resistance from people who told me that my ideas were unrealistic and that the travel industry worked in a certain way. I struggled with self-doubt, and I found myself falling into the trap of comparing myself to others and their businesses. Then I had a conversation with a dear friend, and he told me four words that changed everything for me: “Forget everything you know.”

To clarify: forgetting everything you know doesn’t mean disregarding all the knowledge and experience that you have acquired throughout your life.

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Instead, it means starting from a different place – a place where you tune out the noise of opinions and preconceptions, and ideas of how things are done, and focus on what impact and what change you want to kickstart.

I started by asking myself what I wanted people to feel when they left my place. It meant creating a sense of home as opposed to a retreat center. It meant prioritizing courage, wisdom, and compassion, even if it went against the traditional ways of doing things in the industry.

Courage to start from a different place is what helps people to create unique experiences.

It’s the vision, the authenticity, and the care for the world that will make you stand out and set you apart from the competitors.

Vivian Temba, Director of Sales & Marketing at Kantabile Afrika, a collection of luxury safari camps (including Cherero Camp) in the heart of the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

For some, working in travel is already a dream but the travel industry is huge. You need to find alignment in what you do to gain fulfillment. In the past, jobs within the industry tended to be rigid, without much freedom for creativity. But that landscape has changed. Nowadays, travel is one of the industries that allows so much fluidity that you can carve out a niche for yourself. The travel industry is constantly evolving. You cannot just stick with what you are familiar with and expect not to get left behind. A job is not a career. A career is not your entire identity. It does not define you. Let your work be led by your passion and values, because those are what define you.

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Bethany Betzler, Founder of Hinoki Travels, creating custom journeys designed to help us to

So, it’s important to have a daily grounding practice to create energetic boundaries to stay calm. I find that when I do this, I am attracting the right aligned clients.

reconnect with ourselves and our environment

Working in the travel industry has exposed me to many of the hard truths we face as a global society. Our work is directly affected by issues in politics, the environment, and socioeconomics—and all the complexities that make these issues difficult to untangle. I’ve learned that acknowledging the complexities allows us to move past the overwhelm to focus on smaller, tangible actions.

Renee Kimball, Owner at Tranquilo Bay, an eco adventure lodge in the Bocas

del Toro archipelago, Panama Stay open to possibility. When one is truly present for each part of this adventure, you let go of every day and surrender yourself to each moment. This process allows you to see things differently, learn more about your surroundings, and interact with the people you meet along the path.

Jennine Cohen, Co-Founder of Women Travel Leaders, a vetted community of top level leader within the travel industry with a track record for success who are exchanging ideas, perspectives, business, and media opportunities

Stop stressing! Stress is the block to flow.

Sometimes when clients get stressed, it’s all too easy to take on their stress too.

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Value my time. I’ve also found that traditional models have flown out the window with regards to how to charge. This means there is an opportunity for reinvention on charging structures. My peers and I are now quick to charge upfront consulting fees and upfront deposits, as our time and expertise has value. When I value my time, others do too.

I’m constantly asking myself, what is the highest value thing I could be doing at any given moment?

Slow down to speed up. The travel industry is a fast paced one, however slowing down, and doing less, moving as much as possible with my own natural rhythms and energy is the surest way to innovation and creative solutions. And, to find the joy in the work – the reason many of us got into the business in the first place!

Attract your tribe! No one is an island and we all need to feel supported. When we take on a mindset of collaboration and abundance for all, we open ourselves to new perspectives and collective wisdom, solutions, and paths forward where we may be feeling stuck beyond what we see in front of us. And being in community simply just feels better.

Tranquilo Bay in Bocas del Toro, Panama

O’Shannon Burns,

Sustainability Expert and Program Manager at Cornell University.

The power (and importance!) of creating nontraditional spaces where people can step outside themselves, learn something new, form deep connections, and appreciate this big wild world we call home.

Bárbara Büchel, Co-Founder and Chief Impact Officer at Viatu, a travel platform making sustainable travel radically more accessible by allowing travelers to design and book their sustainable trip all from their phone

Perhaps this is more of a realization than a lesson—as much as travel has the undeniable and beautiful power of

connecting people and bringing different cultures together, it is also an incredibly fragmented, and often dysfunctional, industry. In order to transform travel into a regenerative force, it is imperative that industry stakeholders collaborate on streamlining global strategies and frameworks, while acting locally.

Dana Krauskopf, Owner of Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort, a boutique eco hotel in Hopkins, Belize

The biggest joy of working in the travel industry is being able to make a positive contribution to people and place. The greatest success comes from leading with respect and generosity.

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Bethany Betzler, Founder of Hinoki Travels, creating custom journeys designed to help us to reconnect with ourselves and our environment

pend as much time as you can living abroad, and be intentional about learning and listening while you are there. It’s important to develop cultural fluency.

S

Renee Kimball, Owner at Tranquilo Bay, an eco adventure lodge in the Bocas

del Toro archipelago, Panama

nderstand that travel is an investment. Inviting travelers to invest in a vacation opens their minds to creating a return on that investment. The return should support both their travel party and the place they are visiting. This mindset helps protect the place and its rich mix of nature, culture, and adventure that cannot be found anywhere else.

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Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort in Hopkins, Belize

What is one piece of advice you’d want to give to

It’s the road less traveled that leads to the most meaningful and fulfilling journey.

Vivian Temba, Director of Sales & Marketing at Kantabile Afrika, a collection of luxury safari camps (including Cherero Camp) in the

your younger self in terms of

working in the travel industry?

ennine Cohen, Co-Founder of Women Travel Leaders, a vetted community of top level leader within the travel industry with a track record for success who are exchanging ideas, perspectives, business, and media opportunities J

Daria Rasmussen, Founder and CEO of Bliss & Stars, an off-grid wilderness retreat in the Cederberg Mountains, South Africa

heart of the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

top talking and start listening. When we learn to be the receiver without trying to relate, we are opening up a channel of communication that allows us to tap into a higher wisdom of both the said and unsaid. We all want to be heard, understood, and accepted. There’s no artificial intelligence that can replace the power of listening and speaking from the heart.

S

Shannon Burns,

O’

People would judge you based on your race, age, gender, background, etc. And they would put you in a box that fits in with their mental schema, based on your physical attributes. It is inevitable, unfortunately. That should not be a deterrent that stops you from going after whatever it is that you have set your mind on achieving. Let your work shine through and speak for itself. Let others stay where they are most comfortable while you catch the wave.

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Sustainability Expert and Program Manager at

Cornell University.

There is no traditional career path in the travel industry—create what you wish tourism would look like and you will find your people!

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Become a RegenerativeTravel+ member to gain access to practical resources to help deepen your knowledge and application of regenerative principles and embark on your own regenerative journey.

Bárbara Büchel, Co-Founder and

have been born into a life of travel — by age 6 I had already lived in 5 countries,

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people, ask them why they are in the

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and

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69

more

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goals with integrity over time.

68

questions.

job.

dream, and am so grateful for it!

consider myself unusually fortunate to

any

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Manager of Group Sales at

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Hamanasi Adventure & Dive

memorable travel experiences

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Danielle Meyer, Travel Advisor &

Resort, a boutique eco hotel

Chief Impact Officer at Viatu, a travel platform making sustainable

Dana Krauskopf, Owner of

You

can

Featured hotel

Featured in this article

Ngalung Kalla Location:

Sumba Island, Indonesia

From:

$350

Revitalize your body at this distinctive upscale beachfront eco-retreat that intertwines guests with nature through bold, exploratory means. Founded upon the principles of Permaculture – Earth Care, People Care, and Fair Share – Ngalung Kalla Eco Retreat stands as a haven for those in pursuit of both daring experiences and serenity on an enchanting island.

Permaculture, Surfing, and Slow Living at Ngalung Kalla: Life on Indonesia’s ‘Forgotten Island’

With an array of aquatic pursuits including premier surfing, conscientious sport fishing expeditions targeting only sustainable species, permaculture lessons, treks to splendid waterfalls dotting the island, and the opportunity to absorb panoramic vistas of endemic bird species and a solar-powered infinity pool to plunge into, Ngalung Kalla presents an adventure-centric remedy to the pressures of daily life.

Regenerative Traveller Benefits: RT+ MEMBERSHIP PERKS Receive $99 travel credit towards a 3 minimum night stay Complimentary one hour full body massage A megalithic Sumbanese village tour with one of our local guides

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World-class surf, a strong Austronesian and Melanesian cultural identity of intrepid seafaring people, and untouched foliage make Sumba one of the last frontiers of true South East Asian wilderness.

On the west of the island, presiding over a pristine bay, sits Ngalung Kalla. The eco-retreat was founded in 2014, when Christian Sea and his family set up camp on an off-grid piece of land. They retained the original name of the village that stood on the plot of land around 100 years ago, a name that means ‘big wave’ in the local Laboyan dialect. Regenerative Travel spoke with Christian about slow living, conservation, and getting back to nature in Sumba.

Being outside of the historical trade routes through the Indonesian archipelago, the island has remained largely untouched. The Sumbanese are pastoralists, and make use of a largely barter-based society, which strengthens the bond within communities, and they generally operate within castes. The ancient customs and traditions of the Sumbanese date back tens of thousands of years, and they are one of the few remaining megalithic and animist cultures on the planet, meaning they ascribe a soul to every living being, object, and phenomena, treating them with the same reverence and respect.

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Slow Living, Vernacular Architecture and Raw Luxury

Modeled after a traditional Kampung, or village, Ngalung Kalla looks to the ancient vernacular techniques of the Sumbanese – using local materials, architectural styles, and synchronous living alongside nature.

Christian tells us about how the buildings are spread out at such a distance that privacy is ensured; a dense blanket of natural foliage between each room means that guests can “retreat into their jungle bungalows 73

Christian wanted guests to leave their bubble behind at Ngalung Kalla, and be immersed in the raw luxury, outdoor living, and simplicity of Sumba and its pristine environment. The road less traveled doesn’t have to be difficult and dusty, it can be a celebration of endemic flora and fauna, hammocks, smoothie bowls, and sunrise yoga. The eco-retreat epitomizes the philosophy of slow travel – gentle, immersive, and holistic. According to EHL, slow travel is achieved when the traveler’s main goals are “relaxation, self-reflection, escape, novelty seeking, engagement and discovery”. In keeping with their deep respect for mother nature, Ngalung Kalla has also adopted some of the most pioneering regenerative and sustainable practices around.

“We worked with the local fishermen and tribal leaders to help advise and organize the Marine Protected Zone” — cHRI STIAN

and hear nothing but the trade winds through the Alang grass, the rhythm of the waves massaging the cobblestones on the beach below, and the calls of the huge birds of prey that abound in the area”.

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Having as little negative impact on the surrounding communities as possible is of utmost importance for the ecoretreat. The fusion between comfort and rich, historical architecture results

in a unique blend of barefoot luxury, and bamboo floors and the tall peaked Rumah Menarah alang-alang grass roofs invoke the best of Indonesian hospitality.

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Permaculture Design,

Park area, in the bay adjacent to the Retreat. Mitigating all possible harm to the environment, fishing is only allowed by the traditional methods of throw-netting and hook-and-line.

“We worked with the local fishermen and tribal leaders to help advise and organize the Marine Protected Zone”, Christian describes, and they are currently in the process of laying out a legal framework to solidify the protected status of the area.

Conservation and Natural Building

Ngalung Kalla has, since its inception, made use of waterless drycomposting toilets in every guest room. Every drop of their graywater is recycled on their on-site permaculture garden and is used for landscaping. They have established a locally managed Marine

“We practice biointensive, permanent no-till gardening in semi-permanent raised beds. We [also] raise animals and make composts with their manures to keep the nutrient levels in the soil topped up”

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In the monsoon season, Ngalung Kalla offers popular permaculture courses.

This enables them to employ staff yearround and keep them trained – even in the low season. Guests can choose from Permaculture in Action, Natural Building, or Permaculture Design courses on the retreat grounds, hosted by their sister organization; Permaculture Sumba. “We practice biointensive, permanent no-till gardening in semi-permanent raised beds. We [also] raise animals and make

composts with their manures to keep the nutrient levels in the soil topped up”. By their standards, each plant needs at least three uses. “Think food, green manure, beauty, flowers, and forage, for example”. Global experts are also regularly brought in to upkeep with current best practice techniques.

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Sun, Surf, and Sumba Speed

Guests can indulge in a range of activities and wellness experiences during their stay, the most intrepid being to surf the world-renowned Sumba waves. A typical day could consist of an early morning private surfing lesson, followed by a yoga class, or a birdwatching nature hike in the retreat’s surroundings. Recharge with a full body massage, or take a tour around the permaculture gardens.

Ngalung Kalla also offers paddleboarding, snorkeling, scuba diving, waterfall tours and mountain-biking. Those looking for untouched sandy beaches can take their speedboat for a picnic lunch on soft, remote sands. In the evening, guests can wind down with a romantic candle-lit or fireside dinner, while admiring velvety skies with dazzling constellations—particularly clear due to the low light pollution on the island.

On the rugged island of Sumba, Christian and his family have always prioritized eating as cleanly and nutritiously as they possibly can, and the local region is bountiful with fresh fish, endemic plants, and nourishing fruit and vegetables.

well as in daily yoga, meditation, breathwork, massages, and other spa offerings”, Christian says, in addition to their intrepid activities and surfing trips. This purposeful intention, paired with their systems-based approach to sustainability – minimizing waste, fossil fuel energy, and water use – make for a trailblazing oasis on one of Indonesia’s most charming and untouched islands. ‘Sumba Speed’ may take some acclimatizing to, but it is a lifestyle hard to leave behind.

Ngalung Kalla prides itself on its farm-to-fork gastronomy, with several meals on the menu that consist 100% of ingredients sourced from their own farm. Growing nutrient-dense, organic food from the farm fuels guests for as many activities as they can fit in, and fresh seafood caught by local fishermen is of the utmost quality.

Ngalung Kalla pioneers the slow living, adventurous, and sustainable lifestyle in Indonesia, offering family-run, authentic and regenerative experiences suited to every type of traveler. “We offer a great balance of stillness and quiet, time to reflect and of course lots of rejuvenative support as

“We offer a great balance of stillness and quiet, time to reflect and of course lots of rejuvenative support as well as in daily yoga, meditation, breathwork, massages, and other spa offerings”, — cHRI STIAN

Become a RegenerativeTravel+ member to receive $99 travel credit towards a 3-night minimum stay at Ngalung Kalla and embark on your own regenerative journey.

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Featured hotel

How to Combine

Travel and Philanthropy, a Lesson From Jamaica

Featured in this article

Rockhouse Hotel Location:

Negril, Jamaica

From:

$140

Embrace an ethically-driven haven perched atop cliffs that celebrates the essence of Jamaica. Select from an array of 40 serene rooms, poised on the edges of Jamaica's westernmost point, where modern boutique opulence harmonizes with breathtaking sunsets.

Rockhouse Hotel personifies the epitome of Caribbean hospitality. From the offerings of the acclaimed spa to the flavors of traditional cuisine gracing the menus of various resort eateries, this retreat captures the spirit of the region.

The inherent design elegance seamlessly mirrors its cliff-embracing location.

As a cherished jewel within the local community, Rockhouse is fervently committed to elevating Jamaican education and supporting its educators through the Rockhouse Foundation.

Regenerative Traveller Benefits: RT+ MEMBERSHIP PERKS Receive $99 travel credit towards a 4-day Regenerative Spa Package Including Rockhouse’s signature massage, wrap, scrub and use of the bathhouse

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Committed to responsible travel since its opening in 1994, the boutique Rockhouse Hotel sits on Jamaica’s glistening Negril coast. It’s perched atop cliffs overlooking the aptly-named Pristine Cove, the same cliffs enjoyed by Bob Marley and The Rolling Stones in the 70s.

There’s a timelessness to the Rockhouse Hotel and its setting, perhaps because sparkling seas, flavorinfused Caribbean cuisine and the warm feeling of a content, tight-knit community are elements that make for enjoyable travel, time and time again.

The Rockhouse Hotel, with its luxurious amenities and meaningful community engagement, offers us both in equal measure.

So what exactly makes the hotel so special? And how does the inspiring Rockhouse Foundation make for an even richer experience for everyone involved?

If we leave our homes and our daily routines behind to head on vacation, it’s because we either want a complete change of external scenery or to transform our internal state of being and switch off from the inside.

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From its award-winning spa to its on-site organic farm, Rockhouse is more than just an aesthetically pleasing boutique hotel.

From its outset, Rockhouse has been committed to being a responsible hotel that’s acutely aware of its position in a developing economy. The team intricately analyzed in whose interest the hotel’s success was and made sure that the hotel was entirely accountable to those parties.

Those identified groups include the hotel’s guests, its team, the surrounding environment and the local community.

Responsible Travel From the Ground Up

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Rugged cliff edges embraced by lapping and a laid-back atmosphere set to the rhythms of reggae beats, Rockhouse could easily be an idyllic vacation setting that helps guests escape the stresses of pulsing metropolitan lives and not much beyond that. However, this hotel is much more than a Caribbean retreat for overworked city-slickers.

Every luxurious detail is coupled with a sense of responsibility for the local environment and its community. The organic juice bar serves reinvigorating

refreshments like the Rockhouse Green Juice, which includes antioxidants by way of callaloo and bok choy grown in the Rockhouse Organic Garden. The entire team provides thoughtful, friendly service to guests including the charming General Manager, Inise Lawrence, who joined as a teenage desk clerk over 20 years ago and now runs the show with her warm smile.

The team also participates in regular beach clean ups to make sure that Seven Mile Beach’s chalky sands and clear waters remain pristine. No detail goes unnoticed at Rockhouse.

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The Founding of the Rockhouse Foundation Perhaps the hotel’s most impressive and enduring initiative is its Rockhouse Foundation, a particular source of pride for Chairman Paul Salmon. Established nearly 20 years ago in 2004, the Rockhouse Foundation’s aim is to enhance education in Jamaica by transforming the places where children learn and supporting the teachers that so painstakingly nurture the children’s minds and development.

“What we observed in our community work in the 90s was that the biggest area of need was in physical structures.

The Ministry of Education had pressures to put staffing in schools but had little budget for building or maintaining schools in our area,” says Salmon. By going to local schools and speaking to teachers and community leaders, the Rockhouse team learned where the areas of greatest need were.

The first initiative involved starting a breakfast program at a local school in Negril which was not on anyone’s radar but very much needed support. The Rockhouse Foundation provided free breakfasts for any kids in the school who wanted them.

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The idea was to ensure that every child was starting their day on a full, nourished stomach. Now all the schools that the foundation works with have breakfast and lunch programs.

Today the foundation’s work has amassed the renovation and expansion of a total of six schools in the Negril area as well as a major expansion of the Negril library. Their biggest project to date includes the expansion of the nearby Savanna-la-Mar Inclusive Academy (or simply, Sav Inclusive), Jamaica’s first public institution educating typical learning children and children with disabilities side by side in a full inclusion setting. The inspiration came from a Rockhouse team member’s exasperation at not being able to find the right educational opportunities for her autistic child.

Thanks to the success of the Sav Inclusive’s initial expansion, the Rockhouse Foundation and Jamaica’s Ministry of Education have now signed a joint commitment to further expand the school to have classes up to 12th grade. The crux of the foundation and the hotel’s work is longevity and making sure that they have a lasting, positive impact in Jamaica. After raising a total of more than $7 million USD since its inception, it’s clear that the foundation and its ongoing work to transform education in Jamaica is very much here to stay.

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Hospitality and Philanthropy Operating in Harmony

“Luxury today isn’t just about marble baths, It’s

about speaking with pride about the place you stayed. That’s the new luxury. The community

and the way they treat their staff. [It’s about] how you can tell your kids or friends about where you stayed” — Salm o n

So how exactly can travel and philanthropy positively converge? In practical terms, there are several ways that Rockhouse Hotel helps the Rockhouse Foundation. Firstly, all foundation expenses, including administrative and fundraising costs, are underwritten by the Rockhouse Hotel, Skylark (their sister property also 88

in Negril) and Miss Lily’s, a buzzing New York restaurant that now has an outpost at Skylark in Negril too. The investors and owners of the hotel are also major donors to the foundation.

When it comes to fundraising for the foundation, the hotel community is heavily involved. For example, the team runs several events that engage the hospitality and traveler community such as their annual benefit dinner in New York, which regularly raises $250,000 – $300,000 USD. They also run a series of guest chef dinners at the hotels in Jamaica. Regular guests at the hotel can’t help but fall in love with the setting, the community and inevitably the foundation’s work, so regular guests

Salmon believes that this inextricable link between the foundation and the hotel represents a new form of luxury.

“Luxury today isn’t just about marble baths,” Salmon exclaims, “It’s about speaking with pride about the place you stayed. That’s the new luxury. The community and the way they treat their staff. [It’s about] how you can tell your kids or friends about where you stayed.”

He highlights that traditionally, luxury tourism in the developing world has been exploitative and extractive.

Rockhouse places great emphasis on making sure that it is instead responsible and regenerative.

By staying at the Rockhouse Hotel, Salmon wants people to feel good about

their stay in every sense. He recommends that guests pack for a purpose; Rockhouse can provide those that want it with a list of supplies to bring for the schools. The team also runs weekly tours to the schools where guests can get off-property and see the foundation’s work in action. Everything that Rockhouse does is deep-seated in philanthropy, working alongside community members and providing opportunities to hyper-local construction teams in Negril, rather than dictating a certain way of doing things. This is how travel and philanthropy can come together to benefit everyone involved.

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Rockhouse is also working on minimizing its

Education is at the heart of Rockhouse.

use

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of

plastics.

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includes

importing

recycled glass bottles and partnering with a

support

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children

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local water company, Discovery Water. The water is sourced from an abundant mineral

learning or the hotel working to upskill

spring up in the hills above Negril, only eight

its team and share Negril’s beauty and

miles

team

promise with guests, education is the

has developed a plant for bottle washing and

end result. Because once you’ve visited

from

the

hotel.

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Discovery

filling and makes weekly drop offs and pick ups at the hotel. This is another lesson in ongoing

education;

whether

it’s

how

we

travel or how we run our businesses, there is always

room

for

with

local

community

members,

to

be

opportunities

improvement.

learn

and

By

sharing

inspired

a

boutique

hotel

offering

relaxation

and luxury that also opens your mind to alternative ways of living and traveling, there’s no going back.

our by

others’ work are limitless. This is how we can successfully

build

around the world.

regenerative

ecosystems

To

book

a

relaxing

RegenerativeTravel+ towards

a

4-day

stay

at

member

Rockhouse

Hotel,

to

$99

Regenerative

receive Spa

become

travel

Package

a

credit

including

Rockhouse’s signature massage, wrap, scrub and use of the bathhouse.

The Rockhouse Regenerative Roadmap

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lulling

in

environmental

its

its

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entirely at capacity selling to bigger hotels in

Rockhouse is currently investing in a major

Jamaica so he couldn’t supply Rockhouse with

hydroponic farm to allow the hotel to grow

his produce. But a roadblock for the farmer

the majority of its food on-site. The idea is to

was that he was having trouble accessing the

go entirely natural. Salmon shared that it’s

capital

actually

and

greenhouse. Rockhouse stepped in, investing

other crops on the island that haven’t been

in two greenhouses on its own property but

severely

giving the farmer full rights to the crops for

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tomatoes and traditional local crops such as

opportunity;

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while

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empowered to expand his business and supply

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a

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set

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his

own

hydroponic farm and greenhouse.

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Featured hotel

Photo Credit: Eaton DC

Eaton DC Lo c at i o n :

From:

Washington, DC, USA

$199

The

pioneering

Eaton

DC,

a

urban

member

trailblazing

of

urban

Regenerative

retreat

that

Travel,

redefines

stylish city hotels with a resolute commitment to making a positive impact. Since its establishment in 2018 as the flagship

location

championed

a

transforming

the

of

Eaton

Workshop,

progressive

ethos

very

of

essence

DC

dedicated

what

a

hotel

has to can

represent.

Eaton emerges as a vibrant microcosm embodying the spirit of the city. It hosts an array of elements – a cinema, library, radio station, yoga studio, speakeasy, rooftop bar, coworking space, and art gallery. This hotel has evolved into a central hub, uniting kindred spirits and over 100 advocacy groups the brand actively collaborates with, all sharing a visionary quest for a better world.

The Secret To

For those opting to dwell in one of the 209 chic rooms,

Ethical Tourism:

Eaton

encourages

about

Washington

Accountability, Reveals

to

and

dispel

delve

preconceived

into

the

notions

authentic

stone's throw from the National Mall, Eaton serves as a oasis

in

a

world

increasingly

defined

superficiality.

Regenerative Traveller Benefits: RT+ MEMBERSHIP PERKS

Eaton D.C. Director of

Receive $99 travel credit towards a 3 minimum night stay

Complimentary room upgrade, based on availability A 30 minute infrared sauna session in Eaton Wellness (For 1 or 2 adults)

Impact, Katie Petitt 10 0

DC

experience. Nestled in the historic Shaw neighborhood, a

cultural

Bravery, Humility and

you

101

by

In many ways, ethical consumerism can seem like an oxymoron.

“My vision Workshop is

with

Eaton

to reimagine hospitality as a way to create a better world, by turning our

physical and digital spaces into platforms for creativity and social and environmental impact.”

— Katherine Lo Though fair trade-certified coffee sounds nice, purchasing it ultimately does little to dismantle the rampant exploitation which made it necessary in the first place. As phrased by researcher Jo Littler, ethical purchases can often serve as a “panacea for middleclass guilt” – a status symbol, and means of reassuring oneself that even though the coffee industry as a whole is fraught with issues of child labor and deforestation, at least *I’m* not contributing to the problem.

In the tourism sector, such contradictions come into even sharper relief. What does it mean when the staff at my five-star eco-resort is guaranteed a “livable” wage but the workers themselves can’t afford to stay there?

Alternatively, without these more sustainable offerings, wouldn’t the hospitality industry otherwise be irretrievably worse? After all, global tourism is responsible for about 8% of the world’s carbon emissions. Pair that with concerns of overtourism, land degradation, gentrification and more – surely doing anything is better than doing nothing at all, right?

It is within this tense proving ground that Eaton has chosen to cement itself. Since opening in 2018 in 102

Photo Credit: Eaton DC Washington, D.C. – a place once known as “Chocolate City” for its majority Black population and the site of the highest intensity of gentrification of any city in thenation – the Eaton Hotel has been the subject of much criticism and debate, both vilified and valorized for its progressive values, and above all, uniquely scrutinized for its desire to reinvent what it means to be a good host and neighbor in an increasingly unequal world – whilst, of course, remaining a boutique, for-profit enterprise.

Rather than shrink from or ignore these contradictions, however, Eaton has strived to navigate such delicate questions with humility, collaboration and accountability.

Founded by Asian American hotelier Katherine Lo, Eaton takes its inspiration from the concepts of

“Another World is Possible” and “The Third Place,” as well as the rich and complicated history of D.C. itself.

As Lo states herself in the property’s media kit, “My vision with Eaton Workshop is to reimagine hospitality as a way to create a better world, by turning our physical and digital spaces into platforms for creativity and social and environmental impact.”

Amid the dry, corporate environs of D.C.’s K Street, home to the city’s lobbying groups, law firms and their requisite Chipotles and Sweetgreens, Eaton offers a home away from home for both visitors and local creatives alike. Tropical plants, Himalayan salt lamps and curated vinyl records add warmth and a sense of nostalgia to the otherwise industrially-styled, ten story brick building, which served as a printing press in the 1940s and then a bus station in the 1960s. Throughout the property, guests will find progressive books and artwork, such as the Alice in Wonderland-inspired

mural of Ruby Bridges facing the jabberwocky in the hotel’s speakeasy, Allegory.

Finally, for the sustainability-minded, Eaton’s bronze and gold-cast retro lighting fixtures are energy-efficient and the building is LEED Gold Certified, while a rainwater harvesting system and aerobic digester for food waste further work to reduce the property’s environmental footprint.

Beyond its surface embellishments, Eaton actively works to uplift and celebrate its local DMV (that is, the greater area of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia) community. Challenging the tourism industry’s sordid legacy of displacing locals, Eaton offers DMV residents up to 20% off their stays. The hotel also works closely with DC’s hospitality union, Local 25, to ensure that all of its salaried and tipped employees make a living wage.

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In exchange for sponsored membership, Eaton asks that its community members design two pieces of programming for the hotel’s event calendar, which they can do with support from the Pillar directors, who, in addition to their community connections, were also chosen for their expertise as professional curators and event planners. In this way, Eaton is able to connect grassroots and underfunded organizers who may not have otherwise had access to such resources with the sleek, state of the art planning and hosting facilities that only Eaton can provide.

I think early on, there was some criticism or critique around this sense of, ‘These community groups that you proclaim to care about don’t need something so fancy or bougie,” Petitt elaborates, “And I think the response is that we all deserve beauty, we all deserve nice things.”

“The care and intention Katherine and [Eaton’s Global Head of Purpose, Sheldon Scott] put into the aesthetic allows us to question who gets luxury and why, and how can we shift that answer to demonstrate that everyone deserves abundance and greatness.

It might sound trivial, but having community groups do events in a space that looks like Eaton allows them to level up and feel great and look great. It actually does have a lot of value.”

Still, despite its best efforts, Eaton is no stranger to the tensions of the economic system in which it operates. Though its rooms start at $259 a night, such rates are ultimately what afford Eaton the resources to give back to the community through its outreach efforts and sliding scale discounts for locals. The key to not losing sight of its core mission, Petitt says, is constant curiosity, constant listening and constant humility.

“What we can provide is two-part,” explains Eaton’s Direct of Impact Katie Petitt, “A listening ear, an understanding of what’s going on in the community, having a heart for those who are most impacted by policies or neglect, and the willingness to have an open door and say, ‘Hey, we’re honestly, we’re just a hotel. We’re a building at the end of the day. But how can we use that resource to the community’s benefit?’”

Perharps most valuable, however, are Eaton’s community-focused programming and coworking spaces. Built around the pillars of Wellness, Culture, Impact, Wellness and Media, Eaton serves as both host to and conduit for DC’s vibrant creative scene. With each Pillar director explicitly hired for their deep community relationships, these initiatives can take the form of anything from Eaton’s on-site broadcast radio station showcasing local and grassroots DJs, to offering Eaton’s various spaces free of use to local organizers to host their events, meetings, workshops and more.

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When asked about her vision for the next four years of Eaton’s evolution and beyond, Petitt shares, “I think right now we’re very, we’re still very much in our infancy and startup phase. And as we get older and as we hit a stride, I do want it to be smoother.

But I also want us to keep our curiosity and our kind experimental attitude. Like, well, what if we did this? What if we tried this thing and why do we do that?”

“When anybody–individuals, companies, organizations–say, we want to do something aspirational, you’re automatically asking for critique and feedback, right? And that’s not a bad thing, because what it allows is that pushing, it allows for that change,” Petitt says, “If you say you want to change the industry, you have to be willing to get called out when you’re not living your values. And I really think we’ve demonstrated that we’re not afraid of that.”

As the sustainability industry continues to grow, and as the intersectional crises of environment, economy and social unrest continue to converge, Eaton’s triple bottom line approach for people, planet and profit is likely to face even more difficult challenges and conundrums. And while it remains to be seen whether truly transformative and systemic change can ever exist under a capitalist system, there is undeniable value in being brave enough to just try.

Become a RegenerativeTravel+ member to receive $99 travel credit towards a 3-night minimum stay at Eaton DC, a complimentary room upgrade, based on availability and a 30 minute infrared sauna session in Eaton Wellness (For 1 or 2 adults).

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“When anybody–individuals, companies, organizations–say, we want to do something aspirational, you’re automatically asking for critique and feedback, right? And that’s not a bad thing, because what it allows is that pushing, it allows for that change,” Petitt says, “If you say you want to change the industry, you have to be willing to get called out when you’re not living your values.

And I really think we’ve demonstrated that we’re not afraid of that.”

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The Path To Uniting The Travel Industry For Urgent Climate Action With Jeremy Smith of Tourism Declares A Climate Emergency

Presented by:

One year after the official launch of the

Considered a landmark agreement for

Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action

an industry responsible for roughly 8%

in

the

of global greenhouse gas emissions, the

Nations

Glasgow Declaration, launched last year

Climate

at

Tourism,

adoption

of

Framework

and the

30

years

larger

since

United

Convention

on

COP26,

brought

together

over

300

Change (UNFCCC), the tourism industry

signatories in global tourism to commit

now faces a reckoning.

to halving the industry’s emissions by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050.

11 6

117

“We need to speed up everything good that is happening, not pat ourselves on the back for finally having the conversations.”

— Jeremy Sm ith

Co-Founder, Tourism Declares A Climate Emergency

As of June of this year, this number has doubled to over 600, with industry giants like Expedia Group, Contiki, Booking Holdings and Condé Nast lending their support to a growing coalition led by Tourism Declares A Climate Emergency, the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

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Over the past year, tourism governing bodies, private businesses and international commissions have stepped up their commitments to advocate for more responsible, regenerative futures, with successes ranging from the expansion of the Dominican Republic’s Marine Protected Areas to the pan-European adoption of the Ministerial Declaration for

circularity and climate action to the launch of the U.S.’s Sustainable Travel Coalition.

Still, worsening storms, runaway deforestation and growing international tensions continue to make abundantly clear the immediate necessity of moving beyond simple commitments into measurable, scalable and truly transformative implementation.

As the world turns its attention to Egypt and the 27th annual UN Climate Summit, we caught up with Jeremy Smith, CoFounder of Tourism Declares, to discuss what we should expect from COP27 as well as his vision for the next chapter of tourism industry reform.

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What have been some of the biggest challenges

you’ve faced spearheading this coalition over the past year?

Jeremy:

The

biggest

challenges

that

confronted us with Tourism Declares have evolved

into

the

biggest

challenges

that

confront us with the Glasgow Declaration.

At Tourism Declares we were always a selffunded

group

initiative

of

grew,

volunteers, it

and

became

as

harder

the and

harder to deliver on the rapidly expanding work we were doing.

Now,

there

is

some

funding

and

institutional support and more and more companies different

and

destinations

aspects

of

working

climate

on

action.

Therefore there are resources and capacity.

But

meanwhile,

partly

thanks

to

the

capacity, and partly thanks to momentum, the work has grown immeasurably in the last 12 months. And therefore we are still constrained by limited resources to deliver on this rapidly expanding work, and by the small number of people working on it full time.

If 2022 was about attracting signatories and building momentum, how

would you characterize Unless this changes, this is only going to become a greater challenge, made all the more

complex

incredibly therefore

the

fact

fragmented

and

the

by

more

our

sector

is

diverse,

and

actors

from

different

different sectors that come on board, the more new work needs doing collaborating on

working

out

responsibilities,

for

and

their how

roles this

and

Tourism Declares’ top priority going into 2023?

Jeremy:

Tourism

Declares’

And that’s what we did in 2020 and 2021.

on

All

mandated

the

way

following previous and

on

through from

question,

keep

my

in

delivering

to

COP26.

answer

order at

to

scale,

But

to

your

accelerate the

Glasgow

together

in

Declaration

UN

initiative.

We didn’t want to confuse people or just make noise or work for the sake of it.

Much of my work this year, therefore, has

was

been with the Travel Foundation and the

built

one on

of

the

our

co-authors

original

of,

and

which

commitments

and

UNWTO

building

capacity

and

alignment

framework, but now with the UNWTO and

across our sector, and doing what we can to

Travel

accelerate progress. But in the background,

Foundation

providing

institutional

many

support.

of

us

who

beginning Tourism

Declares’

role

naturally

shifted

conversations

were

have as

might

involved

been to

what

play

next

role

after COP26, and we very consciously tooka

Declares

step back to make sure that the focus was

climate action. Watch this space.

everything and everyone else.

1 21

from

the

continuing

in

Tourism

supporting

affects

12 0

the

shifted to the Glasgow Declaration, which I

mandate was super clear – We were there

together and build momentum.

coming

focus

original

to get things started, to bring the industry

people

This year’s conference priorities are Finance, Adaptation, Loss & Damages, and Increased Ambition. What overlaps do you see between these broader conference goals and those of the tourism sector in particular?

The road to decarbonization has been fraught with half-measures and risky bets, including unregulated carbon offset and trading markets and reliance on unproven carbon removal technology.

What have been some of the more promising and/or innovative projects the tourism industry has undertaken to halve its emissions by 2030, and in what ways do you think it still has room left to improve?

Jeremy: We need to park any idea that there are magic tech solutions coming to solve this problem at the speed and scale we need. Many of them may come later, and hopefully some will play a much needed role. But we need to act urgently now (we needed to act urgently 20 years ago). We need to work with the tools, the tech, the people, the resources at our disposal.

At a destination level, it’s vital and inspiring to finally see significant shifts in how certain National Tourism Organisations are rethinking their role, and in particular how they market inbound tourism. Norway and the Netherlands for example.

Prioritising domestic and neighbouring markets, and factoring in the relative carbon costs to assess and compare the economic and environmental impacts of different tourist segments.

At a business level, we’re seeing examples not just of companies tweaking their operations to be a bit more efficient, but designing whole new ways of operating – seizing the opportunity to lead. Take Byway Travel, one of the tourism success stories in the UK during these pandemic-affected years. It was launched to ONLY offer people holidays by train.

And it has been a huge success.

As for where there is room to improve, well, undoubtedly there is room to improve in the aviation sector. It remains the primary contributor of carbon emissions from our industry. And that isn’t going to change quickly and they’re not going to radically reinvent or scale up SAF or deliver hydrogen or electric planes at anything like the scale or speed necessary, and therefore there needs to be ways of changing tourism’s relationship with aviation. That can come in many different ways – pricing, shifting the subsidies away, supporting other forms of transport, designing the itineraries, delivering the communication and marketing that makes the alternative – as with Byway – the desirable option.

Jeremy: Well, I’ve already mentioned the challenges around finance affecting our work through Tourism Declares and the Glasgow Declaration. It’s not unique to us – speak to anyone working on climate action in tourism. They need massive support. The greatest challenge is finding the finance and resources to deliver on it. Climate Action is still not a priority, let alone THE priority for most businesses and destinations. Businesses and destinations are still working out how to get as many people as possible to come.

money that this tourism brings in. These countries are also both the ones least responsible for the climate emergency, and those suffering the most from it. As we adapt and change tourism, some of them will most probably suffer all the more.

Tourism needs to work out how it addresses this.

Final issue – how do we deliver increased ambition?

It’s a really good start that the Glasgow Declaration has over 700 commitments from all across our sector, but it’s only a start. We need to see these numbers in the 1,000s within as little time as possible. And we need to build on all the knowledge and insights from these frontrunners as they write their climate action plans and work to deliver them.

We need to build on this. Gather the knowledge.

Stop reinventing the wheel. And then support the rest of our industry in building on their work.

Adaptation. Again this has been underexplored by our industry which – when it does look at the climate emergency – still focuses mostly on decarbonisation. But you only have to see the experiences of this summer, or right now, and the huge changes in our weather systems and the changes that these are having to our world from the drying Rhine and Mississippi, to wildfires to melting permafrost to snow not appearing etc.

Everyone knows we are going to have to adapt our industry to the changes that are happening now.

And that these changes are going to continue to accelerate. The key question is are we going to make the inevitable changes in such a way that is equitable and fair, and supports those who are vulnerable and going to be most impacted as a result of the need to change?

Which brings us very much onto the next of your issues – loss and damage. Just as it is with the rest of the world so it is even more with tourism. Most of tourism’s emissions are caused by travel from the Global North. That’s where the airlines are owned.

That’s where the large corporations are owned.

That’s where most of the travel is coming from and funded. Meanwhile countries all across the Global South have become hugely dependent on the

Photo by Thomas Lipke 123

If we are to cut emissions in half for our sector by 2030 or even get close to it, we need to speed up in ways that are measurable. So draw a timeline for us:

What do you imagine an ideal remainder of the decade would look like, if tourism were to successfully do its part to combat the climate crisis?

Jeremy: At the Travel Foundation we’ve been working on a piece of research with the European Tourism Futures Institute and Breda University where we’ve been modelling exactly what’s possible, looking at how we might deliver our commitments to cut emissions in half. It’s been an incredibly challenging piece of work. I can’t yet go into the details, but suffice to say that what’s utterly clear is that without huge ambition, huge commitment, huge transformative change at levels that we aren’t even going to get close. We’re going

to miss our commitments by a long, long way. So we need to speed up everything good that is happening, not pat ourselves on the back for finally having the conversations.

We need to redesign tourism in the ways I said above, shifting the way we holiday.

Remembering that holiday is not a right is an absolute privilege. That the majority of the world doesn’t know what it feels like to get on a plane, stay in a hotel for a week, or kick back with a trashy novel on a sunlounger at the beach.

We also need to look beyond our industry, and lend our voices to pushing for changes there, because so much is dependent upon changes beyond us. We absolutely need meaningful carbon pricing – it’s a nonsense when an offset is $18 a tonne and you can fly to the other side of the world for a few hundred dollars. It isn’t equitable when aviation kerosene is subsidised and train travel isn’t.

Meaningful carbon pricing across everything would change the dynamics of tourism overnight.

That carbon pricing needs to be supported by a shift in investment, out of fossil fuels and into clean solutions – rail, bike lanes, EVs, organic food, renewable energy. Put these in place at scale, then many more of us can go on holiday by train. Explore the destination by bike. Stay in Net Zero accommodation. Eat wonderful, local, healthy regenerative food. All of a sudden the negative impacts of much of our holidays are mostly removed, and we’re supporting developments that are not only good for tourism, but for society itself.

Isn’t that what regenerative tourism’s all about?

This story is in partnership with 5 Media, an impact nonprofit that tells powerful stories about sustainable initiatives.

By elevating the work of those working to make an impact, bringing awareness to environmental causes and sharing how we can come to action, they inspire and empower their community.

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Featured hotel

Why We’ve Become Disconnected From Nature and What We Can Do About It

Featured in this article

Future Found Sanctuary Location :

Cape Town, South Africa

F rom :

$350

Introducing Future Found Sanctuary, a haven nestled within Cape Town's embrace, offering a mountain retreat like no other. This unique refuge harmonizes the tranquility of South African nature, the opulence of contemporary comfort, and the soulful essence of African artistry.

According to Future Found Sanctuary’s Director of Wellbeing

Drawing inspiration from the abundant Cape Floral Kingdom – one of the world's most biodiverse regions – this secluded 7-acre sanctuary invites you to forge a profound connection with yourself through treatments, rituals, and communion with the elements. Surrender to the rejuvenating essence of this diverse ecosystem, tapping into the wisdom of indigenous flora and fauna, and the primal energy of this iconic location within ancient mountains. Here, the innate harmony of nature aligns with your inner rhythms.

Regenerative Traveller Benefits: RT+ MEMBERSHIP PERKS Receive $99 travel credit towards a 3 minimum night stay Choice of one experience valued at approx $75 USD with advanced booking: Fynbos Foraging (suitable during winter June/ July/ Aug) Coastal Foraging (suitable for summer Nov/ Dec/ Jan/ Feb/ March ) Fynbos ForaCable Car Trip up Table Mountainaging (suitable during winter June/ July/ Aug) Seal Island Hike lead by indigenous Khoi guide

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Vastness and openness are defining features at Future Found Sanctuary, home to a sense of abundant space and wellbeing. Set in the foothills of Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain, this hotel hideaway is the brainchild of a burnt out New York executive who found peace and reconnection in South Africa.

Future

Found

Sanctuary

was

created

to

make everyone—from guests to visitors to team

members—reconnect

with

their

wellbeing. It is the ultimate antidote to a fast-paced,

highly

demanding

life.

space

at

Every

the

corporate

sanctuary

was

designed ontologically, that is, considering the very nature of being. The idea is that everyone feels better while here, whether they come for a hotel or villa stay or a fully tailored

retreat,

because

every

space

is

itself

is

immersed in nature.

Future

Found

Sanctuary’s

name

about returning to ancient practices and honoring

ancient

reciprocity

with

wisdom

the

to

Earth.

live

The

in

hotel’s

Wellness as a Symbiotic Relationship Future

Found

belief is that currently we don’t live in a

concept

way

philosophy

that’s

conducive

to

our

overall

wellbeing and productivity. Since we are

systems,

ultimately

cyclical

the

and

heart

refers

regenerative

of to

the

brand’s

their

whole

thinking.

The

the

property’s dedicated Director of Wellbeing,

seeks

to

Romy Paull describes how wellness used to

live

in

be an idea related to escaping your life—

alignment with ourselves and with nature

doing yoga, drinking juice, and then going

to reset and reignite our wellness.

and getting burnt out all over again.

Future

plant

the

Found

seeds

for

just

at

Whole-Being

like

Earth,

beings

is

Sanctuary’s

Sanctuary us

all

to

12 6

She highlights that whole systems thinking

An

inherently includes both regeneration and

mindfulness teacher and coach, Paull also

wellness.

studied

“My

wellness

depends

on

the

experienced

yoga,

biomimicry

and

meditation

focused

and

on

the

people around me and my environment;

design principles of nature and what that

it’s a symbiotic relationship,” says Paull, “so

means

we

must

recognize arising.”

look

at

that This

experiences;

new

is

transformational by

things

how and

for

human

beings.

She

uses

her

holistically

and

expertise to create retreat experiences that

intersections

are

aren’t simply an escape from everyday life

can

create

but that act as a springboard back into life

meaningful

travel

to

we

recognizing

that

we

are

part of a bigger, beating body—the rhythms

help

patterns

reshape

and

restructure

life

to

guests

optimize

their

help

wellbeing for the long haul.

of Earth itself.

12 7

Reconnecting with Nature in the Foothills of Table Mountain Coupled with the experts are plenty of outdoor activities, all connected to the land. Guests can embark on guided forest bathing journeys as well as daily yoga, meditation, Tai Chi and ontological coaching sessions—all to be enjoyed in the hotel’s 5 Elements Garden or in the yoga studio brimming with natural light, thanks to floor to ceiling windows. Ontology is a philosophical concept—it’s a branch of metaphysics—and looks at the whole being. An ontological coach can help people step out of their existing stories and create new ones by taking into account emotions, language and the body. It’s about how we carry ourselves and working with that, Paull explains.

guests return to their natural Circadian Sleep, Nourishment, help rhythm. Then there’s the Dietician who’s also a Movement and Mindfulness Kundalini yoga teacher and has previously worked with Olympic athletes, who possesses Are Key To Wellbeing a holistic understanding of why personalizing

Why

There are four pillars that make up the hotel’s Whole-Being concept and they touch on the mind, body, heart and spirit, and how they relate to nature’s rhythms. Days at the hotel, whether part of a short stay to experience Cape Town in a natural setting or a full blown retreat, are designed in accordance with nature and its cycles. The four pillars are: Sleep, Nourishment, Movement and Mindfulness.

To propel these four pillars and help guests reinstate their wellness, Future Found Sanctuary has a team of notable experts.

There’s the Sleep Scientist, Dr Dale Rae, an expert from the University of Cape Town who fuses ancient wisdom with modern science to help guests return to their natural Circadian 128

Thanks to its unique location just outside Cape Town, guests can enjoy refreshing hikes directly from the hotel onto Table Mountain. There’s a waterfall to venture to or a tea house tucked in the foothills, with exceptional views of the area. Every route provides an overwhelming sense of calm and reconnection.

There are also carefully curated experiences in the property’s Sensorium Spa, sound healing studio and natural immersion pool as well as a set of unique fragrances and a tea range expertly crafted using Indigenous plants from the sanctuary’s surrounding lands. The idea is to connect to the elements through all of the senses, whether you’re staying for a few days or a few weeks.

All guests coming to enjoy a Whole-Being retreat experience are interviewed by Paull herself to establish what is important to them and what their intention is for coming; she works with guests to hone their intention throughout their stay. She refers to the pre-arrival process as Whole Awareness, during their stay the process becomes Whole-Being and once the stay ends there is the Whole-Living phase where guests are encouraged and supported to integrate the various elements into their daily lives long after leaving Future Found Sanctuary.

mindful nourishment is so crucial; there’s a lot of healing to be found in joyful eating and nourishment.

For the Movement pillar, there’s a dedicated Biokineticist and Exercise Scientist who conducts an entire assessment of the body.

Each body is entirely unique and carries its own story, whether it’s injuries, traumas or proportions, everything plays a role in making our anatomy unique which is why assessments are highly tailored to the individual. This helps the team to recommend what will work and what won’t on a personal level; it’s important to work with individual likes and dislikes to ignite a positive momentum spiral, starting with one or two simple things that can create long-lasting change.

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Simple Ways to Reunite Wellness and Nature in Everyday Life When asked why we as humans have forgotten, or become distanced from, the idea that wellness and nature are inherently linked, Paull says she believes it came with industrialization, urbanization and the evolution of technology. She believes that we as human beings became distracted and lost the connection with our own inherent ancient wisdom that was taught and experienced through cultural traditions and working with our environment and community for the benefit of all. This has also influenced us to value ourselves based on what we achieve and gain in terms of status and wealth and not who we are or what meaningful

130

contributions we make towards the wellbeing of ourselves, our communities and environments.

Too often, we base our value on external things such as jobs, money and output, as opposed to internal things like how we live in integrity with ourselves and others, and our general state of physical and emotional wellbeing. As money became more important than anything else, we started to pillage the Earth for our own gain, perhaps distorting our understanding of wealth. We started to take instead of giving and living in reciprocity with nature like Indigenous people have always done and ultimately it has contributed to us falling out of balance, with ourselves and the Earth. It’s fundamental that we understand and remember that we are nature—we are not separate. We have biological impulses, we feel better in nature and we can learn from nature.

Reuniting nature and wellness in our everyday lives can be as simple as connecting to the elements in meditation.

Exercising and practicing movement in nature is ideal if possible. At Future Found Sanctuary, they have the privilege of growing and tending to their own food supply. As individuals it’s important that we become conscious of our food and where it comes from. Eating a plant-rich, seasonal, locally sourced diet can help to reconnect our wellbeing with nature and the land that surrounds us. Saying a prayer of gratitude over water as an element can also reinstate this connection. Paull highlights that connecting nature and wellness in our everyday lives is very personal to each individual. We simply have to believe in the butterfly effect of looking after our own daily routine and taking time for ourselves, which will in turn reconcile humanity with nature.

The land on which Future Found Sanctuary sits is a pocket of abundance. Its potent energy is spurred on by Table Mountain’s incredible biodiversity and the belief of the once burnt-out New Yorker, Jim Brett, who firmly believes that the ancient wisdom of nature as our guide is our future found.

Future Found Sanctuary represents a lesson in stripping back all the external, stressful, unnecessary drains in life and reconnecting with the natural elements who are our lifelong teachers and companions.

To book a rejuvenating stay at Future Found Sanctuary, become a RegenerativeTravel+ member to receive $99 travel credit towards a 3 night minimum stay and a choice between either a foraging experience, a cable car trip up Table Mountain, or a Seal Island hike led by an Indigenous Khoi guide ($75 USD value).

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Featured hotel

Featured in this article

Fogo Island Inn Location:

Fogo Island, Canada

From:

$2115

Discover yourself at a destination where Earth's edges converge. Nestled along the rugged North Atlantic Coast, precisely "on an island off of an island," Fogo Island Inn in Newfoundland, Canada, stands as a distinguished member of Regenerative Resorts. Guided by a reverence for nature and culture, this Inn exemplifies a modern reinterpretation of authentic Newfoundland aesthetics, all while prioritizing minimal impact on the surrounding environment and uplifting the local community through its innovative social business model.

Rediscovering and Prioritizing Traditional Foodways on Fogo Island, Newfoundland 132

Be it reflected in the architecture, bespoke furnishings, absence of plastic, or the inclusion of locally sourced cod on the dinner table, Fogo Island Inn beckons guests to embrace a distinctive type of sojourn, one where community and a profound sense of place are cherished and revered. Each of the 29 exceptional guest rooms and suites boasts expansive floor-to-ceiling windows that unveil views of the wildest and most powerful oceans on Earth.

Regenerative Traveller Benefits: RT+ MEMBERSHIP PERKS Receive $99 travel credit towards a 3 minimum night stay //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

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Photo by Matt Palme r

Introducing the Fogo Island Foodways Initiative

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Shorefast believes that all business is essentially social business and that business and technology are tools that should ultimately serve nature and culture.

The idea is that Fogo Island Inn is the embodiment of this when it comes to food.

The Inn practices an 80/20 principle, whereby 80% of the food prepared and served at the inn must have been fished,

foraged, farmed or hunted on Fogo Island itself and the remaining 20% (including products like coffee, chocolate and spices) must have been sourced as closely as possible to the island from traditional trading partners. In this way, Fogo Island Inn expresses the importance of place through its culinary program and takes great care to run a zero-waste kitchen.

Beyond the Inn, Foodways is an islandwide initiative ultimately aiming to contribute to a robust local food system that minimizes food waste, improves population health, and seeks to bridge the past and the future to connect traditions with modern food systems.

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Tracey Clark, Vice President of Foodways, explains that Newfoundland has a 400-year history of fishing and Newfoundlanders have traditionally been subsistent in their preservation and provision of food. She says that the industrialization of fisheries and the rise in supermarkets and freezers saw

people turn away from traditional ways of feeding themselves and that a quest for convenience and social status led to a loss of roots, meaning that traditional gardens went out of cultivation on Fogo Island.

The premise of Foodways is to support Fogo Islanders in creating more onisland cultivation including gardens, foraging, use of traditional methods, incorporation of local flora and fauna and preserving foods throughout the island’s distinct seasons, which can lead to better economics and population health overall.

Foodways is working with young islanders to create an intergenerational transfer of knowledge and is creating a community garden and greenhouse to extend the island’s growing season and provide seedlings for gardeners. They are also creating a preservation centre to extend the harvest and a community freezer with allocations of specific produce for specific islanders placed there. They also hope to address food security for Fogo Island’s population of 2,500, some of whom currently need the help of monthly food hampers. The idea is to take the island’s food production back to how it was centuries ago to benefit the natural and human population of the island today and for centuries to come.

On the business side, Foodways is creating a preserved foods business using things cultivated and foraged on the island to sell Fogo Island products elsewhere in the world and thereby promote biodiversity, regenerative practices, showcase traditional ways and raise awareness about how things are adapting due to climate change.

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137

Harnessing the Power of Seaweed

nother

notable

Foodways

component

Seaweed

is

Initiative

the

which

The

intention

farming

to

the

seaweed

create

supplemental

began in the summer of 2021, with the

income for people who want to be on

aim of looking at innovation in ocean

the water and to grow seaweed together

farming.

with

During

phase

one,

Fogo

shellfish

it’s

also

a

fish

and

helps

great

habitat

for

retired boats got together to learn more

stocks

to

about seaweed farming as a community

Agriculture

enterprise.

that seaweed farming is something that

But what’s the significance of seaweed?

Seaweed

farming

has

long

been

practised in Asia but is relatively new to North America. It grows naturally in the ocean but it can be grown consciously too and has tremendous benefits. After collecting

seaweed,

all

kinds

of

processing can take place; it can be sold fresh

or

frozen

processed thanks

as

to

a

its

to

restaurants

standalone high

Seaweed

farming

sequester

carbon

also

and

bio

ingredient

protein

is

or

content.

a

way

seaweed

are

the

necessary

removes

nitrogen

Island

also

is

nutrients),

from

creating

a

the

area

prioritized.

Food

and

(FAO)

says

The

islanders

conducting

study

with

a

view

a to

this

into

a

commercial

initiative to bring economic benefits to Fogo Island. In addition, the goal is to produce

secondary

products

such

as

seaweed snacks and seaweed mustard to

promote

the

island’s

impressive

vegetation and regenerative practices.

and

wetland

Organization

currently

convert

de-

Fogo

UN’s

on this and eventually hold licenses to

to

sea.

be

The

lobster

having 12 local people in boats to work

nutrients to grow (the ocean provides it all

grow.

bioprocessing

acidifies the ocean, needs no additional

with

to

fin

since

Island’s lobster harvesters, fishers, and

needs

from seaweed to clean wastewater and sewage. To sum it up, Clark describes seaweed as a “miracle vegetation”.

13 8

is

with

13 9

Incorporating Regenerative Travelers Visitors to Fogo Island and the Inn can enjoy an array of activities that showcase the exceptional natural landscapes and ways of life on the island. These include cooking classes, forays into foraging, preservation activities, and cultural craft classes like quiltmaking.

In terms of Foodways’ connection to regenerative ways of travel, Clark says it contributes to people wanting to have a longer stay on Fogo Island and to experience it at a slower pace, which is always positive.

Foodways will also help islanders and the Fogo Island Inn to support more food being locally cultivated. The Foodways initiatives also expose people to regenerative practices and ways of living so that travelers continue to ask harder questions before planning vacations and demanding more for people and planet while they’re on vacation.

A Community Effort Foodways is and will remain an entire community effort. From preserving foods to creating a restaurant on the island, to working with cooperative fisheries and putting fish into tins, Fogo Island’s food system involves every islander.

A building that was originally a school house and then a parish church is now being renovated and transformed into a food waste centre. There will also be experiential programming for community members and visitors to the island as well as visiting chefs showcasing their creations at the Fogo Island Inn.

Clark believes in the possibilities. Currently, people go out and forage foods for Fogo Island Inn but Foodways wants to expand these practices so that everyone in the island engages in them. The idea is not to strip things 128

If travel is about disconnecting and experiencing alternative ways of life, a stay on Fogo Island couldn’t be more pertinent for modern regenerative travelers. Digital, technological ways of living can be hard to disengage from but Fogo Islanders are taking matters, quite literally, into their own hands. The Foodways initiatives ensure that locals and visitors tap into more natural, analogue ways of living that regenerate land and reap the benefits of ancient ways to bring selfsufficiency and tranquility to modern life.

To book an unforgettable adventure at Fogo Island Inn, become a RegenerativeTravel+ member to receive $99 travel credit towards a 3 night minimum stay and a complimentary seasonal, hand-made amenity made by artisans or local makers on Fogo Island ($120 USD value).

out but to make sure the island remains in balance.

The entire island of Newfoundland has only a 3-day food supply, meaning it’s only ever 3 days away from having a serious issue due to lack of food as a net importer. Fogo Island, as an island off an island, means it’s even more crucial that it produces as much of its own food as possible. Every family on Fogo Island commonly has three freezers; one for fish, one for moose (considered a harmful species, many are culled each year and shared out between families), and one for berries (there are 26 different kinds of edible berries on the island including redcurrants, blackcurrants, and blueberries).

So there’s already an existing base in terms of making use of local food ways and Foodways aims to continue preserving the island’s food systems.

129

Featured hotel

Featured in this article

Hotel Aguas Claras Location:

Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

From:

$369.25

Located on the pristine shores of a secluded beach in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, Hotel Aguas Claras promises travelers an unforgettable escape into nature’s tranquility and indulgent comfort. With its stunning repurposed architecture, lush tropical gardens, and exceptional service, Aguas Claras embodies the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure.

A member of the Cayuga Collection, a renowned group of sustainable luxury hotels, Aguas Claras was thoughtfully designed to blend harmoniously with its natural surroundings, utilizing eco-friendly practices and incorporating sustainable features.

The hotel’s design seamlessly blends traditional Costa Rican elements with modern aesthetics, creating a harmonious atmosphere that celebrates the local culture. Delight in personalized service, luxurious accommodations, and unique experiences that showcase the natural wonders and cultural richness of this destination.

Regenerative Traveller Benefits: RT+ MEMBERSHIP PERKS Receive $70 credit towards the Gandoca Lagoon Tour and explore the stunning mangrove species and wildlife sanctuary surrounding the lagoon, where caimans and crocodiles are frequently spotted.

Contribute to the preservation of the area with a 15-minute beach cleanup included in the tour.

Hotel Aguas Claras: Where Creativity and Nature Converge 125

Elizabeth Steinvorth’s Journey to Hotel Aguas Claras

Nestled amidst the enchanting landscapes of Puerto Viejo, where simplicity meets serenity, stands a hidden gem that transcends conventional hospitality.

Hotel Aguas Claras is not merely a place to rest one’s head; it’s a testament to a deep reverence for art, nature, and the boundless spirit of creativity.

A Fusion of Art, Nature,

and Hospitality

The origins of this haven can be traced back to a profound love affair with Puerto Viejo that ignited the imagination of one visionary woman, Elizabeth Steinvorth, and evolved into a lifelong passion shared with her daughter, Elena.

The year 1992 marked the inception of Elizabeth Steinvorth’s enchantment with Puerto Viejo. As a multi-media artist from San José, she found herself captivated by the untouched beauty and tranquility of the area. Reflecting on those early days, she reminisces, “I realized I needed a project that would grant me the freedom to bring together all the techniques I’ve acquired throughout my life. Costa Rica seemed like the perfect canvas for my creative expression. I embarked on this journey, envisioning a place where I could truly be unburdened. Everything I had done in my life could find a home here, a place where recycling and upcycling naturally found their way. It’s been a 25-year journey of unconscious dedication, much before the global trend caught on.”

This deep connection with the raw allure of Puerto Viejo laid the foundation for a remarkable journey.

Elizabeth Steinvorth’s affection for Costa Rica’s natural wonders runs as deep as the roots of the ancient trees that grace the lush landscape. Her love story with this captivating land is etched into the fabric of her very being, and her passion radiates like the warm sun that bathes the country’s diverse ecosystems.

The metamorphosis of Hotel Aguas Claras was born out of a vision of repurposing and revitalization.

Elizabeth recalls, “My journey with this property began with the idea of remodeling the existing houses into a welcoming haven. However, as I delved deeper, the houses revealed their age, compelling me to deconstruct them entirely. Amid the rubble, I salvaged precious wood and various materials, which I carefully repurposed. I embraced the challenge of reconstructing and reimagining, from refinishing old furniture to painting and giving them renewed purpose. My hands-on approach extended from conception to execution, fueled by my passion for work and my commitment to minimizing waste.” The original weathered cabanas provided the canvas for her artistic imagination. She breathed new life into them, infusing contemporary Caribbean bungalows with traces of history.

money that this tourism brings in. These countries are also both the ones least responsible for the climate emergency, and those suffering the most from it. As we adapt and change tourism, some of them will most probably suffer all the more.

Tourism needs to work out how it addresses this.

Final issue – how do we deliver increased ambition?

It’s a really good start that the Glasgow Declaration has over 700 commitments from all across our sector, but it’s only a start. We need to see these numbers in the 1,000s within as little time as possible. And we need to build on all the knowledge and insights from these frontrunners as they write their climate action plans and work to deliver them.

We need to build on this. Gather the knowledge.

Stop reinventing the wheel. And then support the rest of our industry in building on their work.

What truly sets Hotel Aguas Claras apart is its authenticity. Elizabeth and her daughter Elena have meticulously curated a space that not only showcases their artistic endeavors but also pays homage to their network of cherished artist friends. Every nook and corner of the hotel narrates a story, bridging creativity and hospitality. Guests who wander through the property are enveloped in a palpable energy that sparks inspiration and beckons them to embrace their creative impulses.

The genesis of the hotel was rooted in Elizabeth’s aspiration to give life to her diverse collection of artworks, she points “There is a meticulous integration of reclaimed elements that creates a harmonious, ageless ambiance, shedding any notion of age or neglect. One house became a gallery for my watercolors, while another showcased my ceramics and other creations. These deliberate touches have endeared the hotel to our guests.” From delicate floral watercolors to intricate mosaics, captivating murals, and ingeniously upcycled furniture, Hotel Aguas Claras is a living testament to Elizabeth’s artistic evolution. The hotel transcends its physical existence; it morphs into a living gallery that encapsulates the artist’s soul and the journey of her craft.

Environmental sensitivity guided Elizabeth and Elena’s architectural approach, laying the groundwork for a truly distinctive experience. A striking example of their commitment is the transformation of a cluster of cabanas that once graced Playa Chiquita. These modest structures, once the heart of the local community, were salvaged and reborn as contemporary Caribbean bungalows. The harmonious fusion of heritage and modernity breathes vitality into the property, resulting in a space that exudes both refinement and sustainability. Elizabeth says “I’ve invested time in educating the younger generation.

Through countless workshops in schools, I’ve strived to awaken an awareness of waste management and environmental responsibility. As a hotel and a community member, we diligently sort and manage waste, minimizing plastic and employing sustainable practices in the kitchen and beyond.”

A pioneer in recycling and upcycling, Elizabeth embarked on her journey in Costa Rica over two decades ago, pre-dating the global movement. Her vision was unconventional, fusing discarded materials into her artistic creations.

Beyond its architectural grandeur, Hotel Aguas Claras is a tribute to the marriage of art and nature. It’s a sanctuary where creativity thrives in harmony with the tropical jungle’s allure. The surroundings themselves kindle the imagination, inviting guests to plumb their own creative depths.

With each stroke of the brush on canvas and every whispered idea carried by the sea breeze, Hotel Aguas Claras transforms from a mere accommodation into a space that nurtures inspiration.

An essential facet of Hotel Aguas Claras’ identity lies in its unwavering commitment to sustainability.

As a proud member of The Cayuga Collection of Sustainable Luxury Hotels, the establishment aligns itself with a movement that epitomizes the evolution of intelligent luxury travel.

Environmental consciousness is woven into the very fabric of the hotel’s ethos, radiating a commitment to responsible hospitality. This dedication is palpable across the property, from energyefficient practices to waste reduction initiatives.

Become a RegenerativeTravel+ member to receive $99 travel credit towards a 3night minimum stay and embark on your own regenerative journey

How Regenerative Safaris Can Help Preserve: Wild Places and Empower Local Communities 116

117

“Regenerative safaris”, offer a new approach to travel that prioritizes sustainability, community involvement, and education.

A panel discussion that Regenerative Travel held for Earth Day 2023 moderated by Barbara Buchel – CoFounder & Chief Impact Officer of Viatu, a founding Agency of Change at Davines in Brooklyn, New York

In a panel discussion that Regenerative Travel held for Earth Day 2023 moderated

by Barbara Buchel – Co-Founder & Chief Impact Officer of Viatu, a founding Agency of Change at Davines in Brooklyn, New York, experts highlighted how regenerative safaris offer an opportunity for travelers to make conscious choices and work towards doing more good for the planet and its inhabitants.

118

Travel can be a force for good, preserving wild places and empowering local communities, but it can also cause harm to the planet and people. Regenerative travel involves taking an active role in research and understanding of the destination, as well as considering the social and environmental impact of our actions and choices. By prioritizing responsible

tourism practices and educating consumers on the importance of regenerative travel, we can help preserve wild places and empower local communities.

Wazha Dube, Director of Index Select and representative of African Bush Camps, spoke about the company’s focus on community empowerment, conservation, and community education. African Bush Camps has made a commitment to actively contribute to the preservation of the environment and the well-being of the communities they visit. They focus on community empowerment, conservation, and community education through their “three pillars” approach.

119

Maurice Smith, CEO and Founder of Eugene Toriko and a founding Agency of Change member,

emphasized

the

importance

of

luxury travel with a social and environmental

Smith noted that luxury is more about the culture and impact made, rather than just impact.

comfort

and

opulence.

The

panel

also

The panelists also discussed the importance of gender

equality

training

in

program

the

for

safari

female

industry.

safari

The

guides

is

changing the perspective of who can guide and what the next generation of guides will look like. Vivian Temba, founder of Kantabile Afrika, spoke

about

their

efforts

to

increase

gender

discussed the challenges and opportunities of

equality in their workplace, providing flexible

sustainable

work

and

supporting

regenerative

local

travel,

communities,

such

as

reducing

waste, and conserving natural resources.

arrangements

system

for

prioritizes

“I used to be a travel advisor who

harmony

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with

work

strong in

support

remote

areas.

in

all

integrity,

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operations.

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and

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over

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focuses on maintaining the health of the land

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Kantabile Afrika is a hospitality travel company that

on

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communities

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by

utilizing

lasting

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sourcing

materials from nearby settlements. Kantabile Afrika’s staff comprises local residents, and the company’s practices benefit the local economy.

Now, I only work with hotel leaders and

DMCs

that

align

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our

mission. There is a misconception

that

African Bush Camps Khwai Leadwood, a Regenerative Hotel in Botswana Set within the Okavango Delta’s community-run Khwai Concession

regenerative

sacrifice from

my

clients’, Their

lodges

are

built

from

renewable

resources, have solar farms, and recycle water and food, which reduces waste and conserves natural

resources.

They

also

focused

wildlife

have

several

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to

disconnect

and

connect

with the wilderness and also a bit of

development, which guests can see firsthand

also

to

and contribute to through a donation to their

communities

. We welcome you to

learn

about

how

back

through

what

three

pillars

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on

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foundation. Additionally, African Bush offers

a

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guides, which helps to increase gender equality in the safari industry and empower women in remote

areas.

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African Bush impact

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Camps aims to make a positive

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and some of these places are the most

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realized

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financial

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require

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access to healthcare services.”

the

— Vivian Temba

the best

Regenerative safaris offer an approach to travel that

accommodations and food.”

prioritizes

involvement,

prioritize educate Cherero

Camp,

a

Serengeti, Tanzania

sustainability,

and

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community

As

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travel

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— Wa z h a D u b e

community

conservation

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giving

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Regenerative

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they encounter.

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see

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— Wa z h a D u b e

a

RegenerativeTravel+

today to and access regenerative content, events, travel credit & exclusives.

105

member

Featured hotel

Featured in this article

Tranquilo Bay Lo c at i o n :

From:

Bocas del Toro, Panama

$-

Adjacent to Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park sits Tranquilo Bay, an adventure eco-lodge. With a range of excursions on offer here, this resort has truly earned its title. Choosing from island hopping to hiking, snorkeling to kayaking, and surfing to wildlife tours, there is something here for everyone.

With abundant wildlife all around, expect to see sloths, a multitude of birds, spotted eagle rays, whitefaced capuchins, rare tropical insects, iguanas and everyone’s favorite ocean dwellers – dolphins.

Tranquilo Bay is situated on Bastimentos Island, in the archipelago of Bocas Del Toro, on the northern Caribbean coast of Panama. The lodge is sensitively positioned

among

the

convergence

of

three

ecosystems, providing a spectacular opportunity to comfortably immerse yourself in one of the most biologically diverse places on earth. Flights run daily

Not Just For Backpackers: Why Bocas del Toro is a Destination For All the Family

from Panama City to Bocas Town, where you’ll be whisked away on a 25-minute speedboat ride to Tranquilo Bay.

Regenerative Traveller Benefits: RT+ MEMBERSHIP PERKS Receive $99 travel credit towards a 3 minimum night stay.

Complimentary Guided Lagoon Kayak & Snorkel Tour ($100 USD value)

13 2

13 3

Often hailed as a surfer’s paradise and always a feature on backpackers’ Central America itineraries

Bocas del Toro is an archipelago of tropical islands in the north of Panama.

Sitting comfortably in the Caribbean Sea, Bocas del Toro and its islands are blessed with several of the features we’d all associate with something resembling paradise. There are pristine beaches, tropical rainforests, sensational sunsets and the general sense that nothing needs to be rushed or taken too seriously.

It’s easy to see why laid-back backpackers slowly making their way through this part of the world choose Bocas del Toro as a worthy stop. And while there are bars and clubs on the islands catering to party-goers, the main attraction of Bocas del Toro is actually the incredible nature.

Lively marine life, the impressive biodiversity of flora and fauna, and the chance to learn the ways of the land and 88

waters from Indigenous communities are what make Bocas del Toro an exceptional destination.

Settling in at Tranquilo Bay

No wonder, then, that guests are made to feel part of the community throughout their stay.

With this in mind, we wanted to highlight that Bocas del Toro, and the adventure-packed, nature-immersed Tranquilo Bay Eco Adventure Lodge are the perfect setting for enjoying multigenerational travel and will guarantee the forging of memories and unbridled enjoyment for every member of the family.

Over 200 acres of private conservation reserve provide the setting for Tranquilo Bay Eco Adventure Lodge, which is on Isla Bastimentos. It’s the only island in the Bocas del Toro archipelago to have its own national park so exceptional, well-cared-for nature comes with the territory.

Keenly aware of their abundant surroundings and wanting to show them off to families visiting the island, Tranquilo Bay has created a Family Adventure Package for multigenerational travelers to enjoy all that Bocas del Toro has to offer.

Adventurous activities and the comfort of a spacious, luminous and elegant ecolodge are the perfect setting for a memorable family getaway.

Founded by a couple and their close friend over 20 years ago, there is a sense of family and deep respect for Isla Bastimentos in Tranquilo Bay’s foundations.

89

Hiking to the Canopy Observation Tower With 200 acres of conserved rainforest to explore on Tranquilo Bay’s grounds and several kilometers of forested trails covering various habitats, there are

Kayaking in Jellyfish Lagoon

plenty of jungle hikes to discover around the lodge.

Forest bathe through the trails while taking in the splendor of the wildlife including hummingbirds, kingfishers,

woodpeckers,

herons

and

if

you’re

really lucky some lethargic sloths, green iguanas and poison dart frogs too. The show stopping spot to enjoy nature from above is Tranquilo Bay’s very own canopy observation tower, offering sweeping views of Isla Bastimentos and its vibrant vegetation.

Kayaking in Jellyfish Lagoon Getting up close and personal with mesmerizing upturned jellyfish from the reassuring protection of

Family Adventures in

Snorkeling at Zapatilla

Bocas del Toro

Cayes

lagoon full of underwater treasures.

Tranquilo Bay’s Family Adventure Package allows all

The two chalky white-shored islands of Zapatilla Cayes

Once safely distant from the jellyfish-smothered

family members to soak up the very best of Bocas

are just east of Isla Bastimentos and are protected by the

lagoon,

del Toro. From underwater pursuits to views high

Bastimentos National Marine Park. Snorkeling around

snorkeling at various spots near Tranquilo Bay to

over the rainforest canopy, visitors can explore the

here allows guests to catch a glimpse of the snapper,

observe

biodiversity of the islands from every angle.

barracuda and other tropical fish that glide through the

going about their daily life.

a kayak is the ultimate way to experience a nearby

it’s

a

possible

wide

to

variety

engage

of

in

some

underwater

more

creatures

water among the reefs surrounding the islands.

Hiking to a Bat Cave

A far cry from the thumps of DJ beats and the downing

of

backpackers Family

shots in

Bocas

Adventure

nature-focused,

enjoyed del

by

Toro,

Package

the

It’s possible to walk around the entire circumference of

Bay’s

each of the islands and appreciate the beauty of coconut

At

more

palms, tropical hardwoods, sea grapes and almond trees

heading

community-

while stopping for sea dips and sun soaks along the way.

breakfast, making their way beneath the canopy of

some

of

Tranquilo

showcases

conservation-led,

a

Tranquilo off

Bay, to

a

also

nearby

rainforest

particularly

creek

to

enjoy

shortly

arrive

at

after

based and laid-back way to experience Bocas del

mangrove

Toro.

Indigenous farm. Guests are thoughtfully welcomed

Touring a Criollo Cacao

and

guests

a

local

by members of the Indigenous community and can spend time speaking with them to learn more about

Plantation

their culture, history and way of life.

While observing nature is important, perhaps even more crucial is to grasp an understanding of where

The

excursion

involves

our food comes from and how it is cultivated in a

dense rainforest and full of revitalizing tropical

way that respects both land and community.

vegetation.

The

hike

a

hiking

often

trail

set

includes

under

wildlife

sightings including white-faced monkeys, two- and This

is

why

Tranquilo

Bay’s

Family

Adventure

three-toed sloths, green iguanas, lizards, poison dart

Package includes a tour of the nearby Green Acres

frogs,

Cacao

variety of exotic birds too. The trail leads to Nivida

Plantation,

cultivating

one

of

the

rarest

butterflies

strands of cacao plant in the world, the Criollo. This

Bat

trip offers an immersion into how the cacao trees

geological

are

transformation

grown

and

the

step-by-step

process

of

Cave

where

and

of

guests

history that

course

learn

about

and

can

this

area

transforming cacao pods into pure chocolate bars;

Photo by Thomas undergone over Lipke the years.

of course, the tour ends with some sampling of this

enjoy

centuries-old treat.

highlighting its impressive history!

showing

guests

an

impressive

the

region’s

witness of

Earth

the has

Bats in the cave also

around

their

home

and

Travel as a Multigenerational Affair

multigenerational travel with adventures to suit everyone. Nature is the real crowning feature of this Caribbean archipelago and the ability to enjoy its abundance is not limited to one age group or type of traveler.

So it’s safe to say that Bocas del Toro is not just a destination for lively backpackers but also for intrepid families wanting to enjoy

The biodiversity and tranquility of this northeastern region of Panama deserves to be experienced by everyone in the family.

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The Tranquilo Bay Family Adventure Package can be enjoyed for 4 nights or 7 nights and includes accommodation in Tranquilo Bay’s elegant rainforest cabins and access to all of the water and land-based nature-focused activities available on Isla Bastimentos and within the Bocas del Toro archipelago.

To book an unforgettable family adventure at Tranquilo Bay, become a RegenerativeTravel+ member to receive $99 travel credit towards a 3 night minimum stay, a complimentary upgrade upon check-in based on availability and complimentary Guided Lagoon Kayak & Snorkel Tour ($100 USD value).

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How To Have Immersive Wildlife Encounters That Honor Both Creature and Habitat

Edit 8/23: Since the original publication of this piece, the author has been made aware of the reform work of John Roberts and the Asian Captive Elephant Working Group (ACEWG).

The piece has been slightly modified to reflect the heartening existence of these efforts.

116

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In

August 2019, a global cohort of

t t osophers, veterinarians, tourism operators and animal rights activists ga thered in Sweden to discuss the ethics of animal tourism. scien is s, phil

he topics ranged from wildlife safaris to cat cafes, from cultural relativism to sustainable certifications, and culminated in an interdisciplinary collection of guidelines for industry reform.

T

What these experts found was that despite the great diversity of styles and locations peddling animal-based experiences, the main selling point industry-wide was the opportunity for tourists to connect with nature in an “authentic, tactile, multisensory” way.

And is it any wonder? After all, as of 2020, over 50% of the world’s population lived in cities. This number is even higher in Europe and the Americas, which range between 75% and 84%.

According to the symposium, titled Instagranimal: Animal Welfare and Animal Ethics Challenges of Animal-Based Tourism, urban clients make up a huge portion of animal tourism’s client base mostly due to their willingness to pay to “‘get away’ from the city and rediscover the wild.”

Problems arise, however, when this longing for connection comes at the expense of the animals themselves, whether that be through harmful training practices, inadequate housing, nutrition or socialization, or, even more innately, moral dilemmas over animal sovereignty; that is, whether the benefits of tourism outweigh animals’ intrinsic rights to freedom and self-determination.

On the other hand, tourism can provide crucial financial resources for conservation organizations and the people these groups employ. One example is Bonaire National Marine Park in the Dutch Caribbean, whose initiatives include public education, marine research and monitoring and enforcement, and which in 2017 was able to earn 90% of its funding just from foreign and local visitor revenue alone.

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Given the industry’s complexities, how are conscious travelers to navigate these ethical dilemmas and find some justifiable middle ground?

#2: Ample Space Ample here refers not only to the size of enclosures, but also the distance between tourist and animal (per tip one) and between animal and animal. While some enclosure may be necessary for rehabilitation purposes (such as is the case for animals with disabilities, illness or old age), the best experiences allow wildlife to live in as close an approximation to their natural habitats as possible.

Of course there is no easy fix, and no meaningful reform individual travelers alone can achieve without cooperation from governments, tour operators and each other. Still, we can look to the symposium’s expert guidance as a starting point.

While the suggestions below are by no means exhaustive, we hope they can help to bridge the gap between awareness and action, and serve as a valuable resource for anyone looking to connect with our animal kin in a more positive, responsible way.

What to Look For: There’s a heuristic that all animal tourism is unethical, but the truth of course is a bit more nuanced. According to wildlife advocacy group World Animal Protection, approximately 75% of global animal tourism experiences are guilty of welfare or conservation abuses. These include elephant rides in Thailand, for which baby elephants undergo a cruel training program called “the crush,” designed to break their spirits and make them docile enough to ride; tiger selfies, which require similar disciplining; and dolphin swims, which trap dolphins in restrictive enclosures about the size of swimming pools and whose chlorine-treated waters can cause painful skin and eye irritations.

For every three harmful experiences, however, World Animal Protection found at least one venue treating its animals correctly.

When researching potential encounters, here are a few positive signs to look for:

#1: No Touching Whether it’s petting zoos or elephant rides, close animal encounters carry with them a broad spectrum of risks, including zoonotic diseases and animal stress. In fact, these risks became so prevalent that in 2016, Tripadvisor adopted a “no touch” policy, banning ticket sales to attractions which offered physical contact with wildlife.

Animals for these attractions are often drugged or beaten in order to make them docile enough to abide direct human interaction. And that’s not to mention the dangers visitors themselves can pose due to improper animal handling. In general, beware of any experiences which encourage direct interaction, or at least look for those with a certified training component beforehand.

For elephant rides in particular, according to Conde Nast, the Asian Captive Elephant Working Group has worked for years on “developing a minimum standard of welfare for captive elephants working in Southeast Asia’s tourism industry,” including reduced labor time (3 – 4 hour rides only), positive over punitive motivation tactics and bareback, sans-saddle rides only.

Such efforts are necessary and encouraging, especially to reduce potential financial strain on elephant trainers facing the challenge of both transitioning away from the industry while still providing for their families. Yet for the majority of the industry, these more careful practices are hardly the norm, and conscious tourists should take significant care to vet potential elephant encounters before patronizing. Some useful questions to ask are listed in the section below.”

Ask your tour provider about the animals’ living conditions outside the visiting area. Do they have adequate nutrition? Ample space to wander?

Appropriate opportunity to socialize?And don’t just take their word for it. As evidenced in research

by National Geographic, many operators are instructed to simply handwave away tourist concerns, which is why keeping a watchful eye and demanding transparency is critical.

Cages and chains of any kind are an obvious red flag, but even more broadly, it’s best to seek out experiences where (a limited number of) tourists are invited to visit the animals’ natural habitats and not the other way around.

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#4: Honors Both Humans and Animals

Finally,

responsible

tourists

must

be

careful

not to sacrifice human dignity in the pursuit of

animal.

In

2016,

researchers

for

the

Veterinary Record put forward the concept of One

Welfare,

recognize

a

framework

the

to

help

interdependence

people

between

animal, human and environmental wellbeing.

3: N P f

g/Unnatural Behaviors (Including Selfies!) #

o

When

er ormin

it

uncommon

– growing up, watching Shamu and friends perform spectacular flips was the highlight of my SeaWorld trips.

However, admit

it

engendering with

our

viewing

a

more

fellow

equitable

living

relationship

creatures

them

not

merely

as

entertainment,

but

sovereign

requires

sources beings

of

unto

themselves. Nowhere in the wild do monkeys and

tigers

expect

pose

them

to

for

selfies,

do

so

in

and

we

captivity

shouldn’t either,

for

to

the

tourism,

it

is

of

animal

proliferation

not

Options For The

rights abuses to be tied to poverty and other social

I’ll

comes

no

problems.

A

Communications corruption drivers

of

were

2019

found among

elephant

study that

the

in

poverty

most

poaching

Nature

in

Regenerative Traveler

and

significant

sub-Saharan

Africa, more so than the effectiveness of local law

enforcement.

economic

Now that we’ve learned what to avoid, here are

wildlife,

alternatives and support from government in

some of our favorite animal experiences doing

wildebeest and galloping zebras. Additionally,

these

things the right way:

the

areas

A

lack

can

of

viable

exacerbate

existing

to

reform

their

operations.

psychosis

also in

refer

to

which

zoochosis, animals

a

form

engage

of in

monotonous, obsessive and repetitive actions like pacing, swaying and overgrooming, which can be an obvious sign of poor welfare.

insight

on

how

to

effectively

navigate

these tensions. For the marine protected area at Tortuga Bay Resort and Club, for example, local

fishermen

coral

conservation

are

trained

to

help

in

tourism

provide

a

and

steady

financial alternative to illegal overfishing.

Seek

Serengeti

in

to

a

of

gazelle,

more

limit

remote

disturbances

Intimate Game Drives

More regenerative tourism models may offer some

herds

situated

from other tour groups.

abilities

the

is

tour

providers’

of

itself

region

Unnatural” in this

can

camp

huge

conservation issues, as well as limit individual

matter how much we paid. “ case

including

out

organizations

verifiable

commitments

with to

explicit

fair

labor,

In a nutshell: Private safaris away from overtouristed wildlife corridors

safaris

dual

of

purpose

connections tourism

game

Notable Regenerative Hotels: African Bush Camps Khwai Leadwood, Samara Karoo Private Game Reserve, Cherero Camp

offers

educational,

including landscape

wages

cheetah, Wildlife

safaris

are

ubiquitous

throughout

toward

tours

restoring and

lion,

serve

intimate while

critical

beyond

Samara

personalized

particular

nature

Moving

drive,

in

fostering

with

dollars

initiatives.

Locations: Botswana, South Africa, Tanzania

and

and community investment.

Nonprofit-run

Karoo

wildlife

directing

conservation

the in

traditional

South

Africa

behind-the-scenes of

its

rewilding

67,000

acres

of

reintroducing

elephant

and

the

black

and

projects, degraded

first

wild

rhinoceros

to the land in more than a century.

Africa, appreciated for offering guests the rare

After all, as relayed by the authors of the One Welfare human,

study, social,

artificial

and

separation

animal

rely

and

on

the

heavily

same

welfare

set

depend

in an ecological context.’”

12 8

between

compartmentalisation.

disciplines measures

“‘The

of

on

is

an

These scientific

each

other

opportunity

to

observe

animals

in

their

natural habitats as well as for their emphasis on

minimizing

environmental

impacts.

At

Cherero Camp in Tanzania, for example, guide vehicles order

are

to

prohibited

preserve

from

the

off-roading

natural

in

wildlife

Likewise,

African

Leadwood

was

Bush

founded

Camp’s on

the

Khwai

values

of

“sharing and conserving Africa together,” with impact

programs

educating

local

focused youth

on

employing and

and

fostering

environmentalism for the next generation.

migration patterns of the Serengeti’s majestic

12 9

Sustainable Sanctuaries

course, the elusive jaguar. Hamanasi guests may embark on an eight hour excursion to explore the Sanctuary’s rich biodiversity, accompanied by one of the resort’s expert guides. Other wildlife experiences at Hamanasi include a tropical birding tour, jungle river canoeing tour and diving through the South Water Caye Marine Reserve, each designed to educate guests and leave them with a deeper appreciation and understanding of Belize’s diverse flora and fauna.

In a nutshell: Designated protected areas aimed at restoring endangered species

Locations: Belize, Zanzibar Notable Regenerative Hotels: Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort, The Manta Resort According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), over one-third of all land on Earth has been degraded due to human activity. Government-protected areas, which traditionally receive a portion of their funding from tourism partnerships, help to safeguard vital natural and cultural resources from continued exploitation.

Less than half an hour away from Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort in Belize is the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, the world’s first jaguar preserve and home to over 128,000 acres of waterfalls, mountains, trails, tropical birds, monkeys, reptiles, insects, amphibians and of

On Pemba Island in Zanzibar, The Manta Resort’s own house reef is home to the KMPA, or Kwanini Marine Protected Area. Partnering with the local community and government and tourism industry stakeholders, Manta channels its appreciation for its surrounding marine biodiversity through extensive conservation and restoration programs both on and offshore. All revenues from its Snorkeling for Conservation program are donated to the local Marine Conservation Area Committee and rangers. In addition, a $30 Impact Donation per person is included with every hotel booking and helps to fund the Kwanini Foundation’s conservation and community work.

Volunteer Conservation In a nutshell: Hands-on opportunities to engage in citizen science and conservation

Locations: Mexico, Dominican Republic Notable Regenerative Hotels: Playa Viva, Tortuga Bay Resort and Club

Citizen science is a blanket term for a range of initiatives aimed at democratizing scientific research by facilitating public participation.

“Citizen science gives participants insight and exposure to the idea that there remain mysteries to solve, that the internet does not hold all the answers, and that science is a dynamic and everchanging process of pursuing curiosity,” shares the California Academy of Sciences in its Citizen Science Toolkit.

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Additionally, “…classroom participation in citizen science has been shown to improve performance, ownership of, and investment in scientific work,” according to research institution Butterfly Pavilion.

At Playa Viva’s La Tortuga Viva sanctuary, visitors can participate in efforts to protect local endangered turtles from both predators and poachers. One example is the Night Patrol Excursion, in which guests head out with LTV staff to scour the beach for sea turtle nests and assist with nocturnal hatchling releases. Since 2010, LTV’s all-volunteer team has successfully released more than 450,000 baby sea turtles, and is consistently working to improve its infrastructure, data collection and educational initiatives.

Likewise, guests at Tortuga Bay Resort and Club in the Dominican Republic may enroll in a PADI Coral First Aid Specialty Dive Certification course, take an educational visit to the Center for Marine Innovation or assist with coral restoration or mangrove planting. A leader of the international Partnership for Ecologically Sustainable Coastal Areas (PESCA), the Fundación Grupo Puntacana at Tortuga Bay’s coral restoration program has successfully propagated 8,810 transplanted corals and 5,394 linear meters of planted tissue as of 2020, while concurrent initiatives for hawksbill sea turtle restoration as well as an ornamental fish nursery have also resulted in improved livelihoods for local fishing families.

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Educational Expeditions In a nutshell: Nature-based adventures for casual observation Locations: Canada, Italy Notable Regenerative Hotels: Fogo Island Inn, Oasy Hotel

Despite their distance of over 3,000 miles, both Fogo Island Inn in Newfoundland and Oasy Hotel in Italy both offer inspiring encounters with local wildlife, but in a more casual, serendipitous setting than other offerings on this list. Whether it’s caribou spotting during the fall and winter, whale watching in the summer or birding in spring and fall, Fogo Island guests are free to seek out wildlife on their own, or in the company of expert local guides who can provide greater insight on the area’s flowers, wildlife paths and nesting grounds.

For something a bit more adventurous, Oasy Hotel offers a unique wolf tracking excursion through the 900-hectare Oasi Dynamo conservation reserve. Participating visitors will walk along key hunting paths and learn to identify telltale signs of wolf activity, all while supporting the hotel’s agriculture, breeding and scientific research initiatives.

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In a 2020 interview with G Adventures, conservationist Jane Goodall relayed the benefits of responsible tourism for animal conservation: “One, it takes foreign exchange in, so the central government is happy. Two, it helps to pay the staff and the rangers who can actually protect the animals. Three, there’s no question that the people who go on these tours come back with a passion for helping conservation … So responsible tourism is something that’s necessary and important.”

Underlying each of these suggestions we’ve shared here is the importance of shifting our perspectives from ego to eco; seeing our fellow animals not as resources, not as lesser, but as kin. Doing so is critical not only to reforming the animal tourism industry, but also to manifesting the larger regenerative cohabitation of our planet.

In addition to these tips, there are a handful of other ways to be a more animal-friendly traveler, such as reducing your plastic consumption, choosing reef-safe sunscreens, or even going vegan, if you feel so called.

Above all, we must each take the time to recognize our travels not merely as vehicles for entertainment, but as opportunities to co-create a more resilient and equitable future for all human and more-than-human nature.

129

Instagram and TikTok have a lot to answer for. Namely, for encouraging us all to visit certain places and inspiring us to take specific photos in particular spots. In small, considered quantities, this can be positive and shed light on deserving destinations that tourists wouldn’t otherwise consider visiting.

However, unfortunately in many cases, too many of us are encouraged to visit a specific set of destinations at the same time. This results in them becoming overwhelmed and an uncontrolled influx of humans can be extremely damaging to the place’s local wildlife, the community, and its economy as a whole.

How to Avoid Overtouristed Destinations: Alternatives for a More Impactful Journey 116

This is why we wanted to look at some exceptional regenerative properties doing important work to conserve, preserve and regenerate their local ecosystems. We want to shed a light on these incredible places from Italy to Mexico and Tanzania to Nepal.

We suggest that they would be a much better alternative to visiting traditionally overwhelmed and overtouristed destinations. We’re not saying to avoid visiting the other destinations entirely, just that it’s important to always consider our impact and choose our destinations accordingly. As travelers we must take responsibility for how we plan our trips and aim for more positively impactful journeys.

117

Tuscany instead of Venice, Italy Yes, Northern Italy is incredibly beautiful but no, you don’t have to visit Venice to make it an unforgettable trip.

In an attempt to tackle the overtourism that Venice is facing, which is outraging locals and

88

damaging infrastructure, the city has decided to introduce a ‘tourist tax’ of €10 per day starting in 2023. The primary cause of overtourism in Venice is the blink-and-they’regone daytrippers who hop off cruise ships to whizz around the city and disappear again before dusk; the tax is aimed at curtailing these kinds of visitors. If you want an Italian adventure that avoids the crowds and doesn’t infuriate local residents, it’d be better to plan a trip to the lush hills of Tuscany.

Accessible by a slow and thoughtful train journey from London or Paris and close to Italian icons like Milan, Siena and Florence, Oasy Hotel sits in the WWF-protected Dynamo Oasis Nature Reserve. It places great emphasis on protecting wildlife, immersing guests in natural surroundings, and providing carefully curated farm-to-table meals from its biodynamic farm, with unparalleled views out to the majestic Apennine Mountains.

The reserve offers 16 lodges, all built respecting the natural environment and intended to let in floods of natural light. Try your hand at cheesemaking, forays into mushroom foraging, horseback riding expeditions, kayaking and paddle boarding, and exploring the 2,500-acre nature reserve by electric bicycle. Oasy Hotel offers an Italian adventure that showcases the real Tuscany not featured in guidebooks, one in keeping with the local community and natural environment, a far cry from Venice’s saturated streets.

89

Juluchuca instead of Tulum, Mexico Once a calm and little-visited fishing village on Mexico’s Yucatán peninsula, Tulum is no longer a well-kept secret. A stream of visitors has caused overpopulation issues for the town, which now suffers from walls of seaweed on its beaches and shorefront diesel generators chugging away to create electricity for the air 88

conditioning and other luxurious amenities that visitors demand.

seaweed off the beaches and wheelbarrows or bury it in the sand.

into

baby sea turtles hatch and take their very first steps toward the ocean.

In 2019, Tulum had 40,000 residents and this is expected to grow to 200,000 by 2030. Taxi drivers have started to ferry visitors around without official taxi meters so they can then fabricate high fare prices at the end of the ride for tourists who don’t know what the real fare should be. The local government has spent USD $20 million to tackle the seaweed problem by installing nets to try and capture the algae.

Hotels have deployed staff members to shovel

Tulum is struggling to keep up with its own popularity. If it’s a rugged, unspoiled Mexican beach you’re seeking, a spectacular alternative to Tulum is Playa Viva boutique hotel in Juluchuca on Mexico’s Pacific coast. The hotel sits on a mile of private beach, surrounded by lush greenery and free from hordes of seaweed.

Permaculture is also a prominent feature on the property where fresh produce like coconuts, tamarind, mangos, cashews, cactus and tomatoes are grown. Daily yoga and meditation classes are also offered so visitors can really switch off and connect with nature without the disturbance of a constant generator groan.

Playa Viva has its own sea turtle sanctuary so guests can experience the wonder of watching 89

Pokhara, Nepal instead of Agra, India Agra’s most famous attraction is the worldfamous Taj Mahal mausoleum. Unless you have superior photo editing skills, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to capture an Instagram-worthy

88

shot outside the Taj Mahal without several thousand other visitors featuring in it.

they will be obliged to pay the equivalent of their ticket price again as a fine.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site is certainly a wonderful place but since it attracts up to 50,000 tourists on a daily basis, the destination is suffering the effects of overtourism. In an attempt to curb the overwhelming number of visitors the site receives, local authorities have imposed a 3-hour time limit for visits. For anyone who overstays and exceeds the 3 hours,

To avoid the crowds but still reap the benefits of South Asia’s immense beauty, we suggest heading to lakefront Pokhara and staying at the Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge in Central Nepal. Perched atop a mountain and overlooking the Himalayas, there is no better place to tap into some tranquility and take in the history and nature of Nepal.

The lodge features hand-cut stone cottage-style rooms decorated with Tibetan rugs and original artwork. From mesmerizing hikes to butterfly monitoring and meditation sessions overlooking the spectacular Annapurna mountain range, Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge offers all the awe and wonder of Agra’s Taj Mahal without the overbearing crowds.

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Pemba Island, Tanzania instead of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef stretches 1,400 miles (2,300 kilometers) along the country’s northeast coast and is known as the world’s largest coral reef system. It is an exceptional place doing its best as a destination to preserve and regenerate its coral population.

However, rising ocean temperatures have caused high levels of coral bleaching and the reef has lost half of its coral since 1995. UNESCO is even recommending that the Great Barrier Reef be added to its list of sites in danger in a bid to protect the area and prevent further degradation.

Recent progress has been achieved, with the Great

88

Barrier Reef now recording record amounts of coral. The problem is, the coral in this area is still extremely vulnerable and so overtourism would be devastating. If you are planning on visiting the Great Barrier Reef, make sure to plan your journey with one of the region’s High Standard Tourism Operators who work in partnership with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to monitor the reef.

For an alternative destination to witness ocean regeneration and enjoy exceptional marine life, head to The Manta Resort on Pemba Island in Tanzania. This 13-room boutique hotel sits on a private island surrounded by flourishing coral and

within an ocean floor anomaly known as ‘the blue hole’.

The Manta Resort works consciously to preserve and restore marine life and its efforts alongside the Kwanini Foundation have seen the creation of the Kwanini Marine Protected Area and Mnarani Water Pipeline. They have seen fish populations restored and coral populations far from the bleached tragedies of the Great Barrier Reef. The resort’s showstopper is its Underwater Room where visitors can wake up immersed in the Big Blue and observe marine life all through the night.

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Washington DC instead of New York City, USA

New York is the city that never sleeps but it’s also the city whose cost of living continues to soar, largely because of its status as a must-visit destination for most of the world.

An urban icon no doubt, NYC is in many ways a victim of its own success; it attracts so many visitors that sites like Times Square and the Brooklyn Bridge are often heaving with humans energized by their selfie sticks and a

88

desire to get the perfect shot for their social media feed.

To experience American city life in a more unique way, we suggest heading to Washington DC and holing up at the impressive Eaton DC. An urban concept hotel pioneering social change, Eaton DC offers a cinema, library, yoga studio, radio station, speakeasy, rooftop bar, coworking space and an art gallery.

On its way to becoming a B Corp, this elegant hotel takes pride in its diversity and openness.

Set in the city’s historic Shaw neighborhood, it’s the perfect base for exploring the cultural vibrancy of the United States’ political capital.

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Featured in this article

Matetsi Victoria Falls Location:

Matetsi Private Game Reserve, Zimbabwe

From:

$1770

Offering the ultimate combination of safari, river, relaxation and the Falls all-in-one, marvel at the superb location, beautifully designed lodge and understated luxury that awaits at Matetsi Victoria Falls. Undoubtedly the most ideal base from which to encounter the world’s largest waterfall, the feel of Matetsi is indelible magic thanks to the world-class environment and extraordinary team of talented chefs, butlers and guides.

From waking up on the banks of the mighty Zambezi river and heading out for a full day of game drives to enjoying a traditional Zimbabwean BBQ beneath the stars at night, Matetsi Victoria Falls offers incredibly unique experiences for the adventure-ready traveller. Whether it’s being accompanied by knowledgeable, conservationminded bush guides or taking a bespoke helicopter excursion to the majestic Victoria Falls, depart with treasured memories of this part of southern Africa.

Regenerative Traveller Benefits: RT+ MEMBERSHIP PERKS Receive $99 travel credit towards a 3 night minimum stay as a RegenerativeTravel+ member a 45 min complimentary massage per guest per stay and have an opportunity to sit down with one of the personalities behind the miraculous Matetsi Victoria Falls conservation story, hear about or experience first-hand the work involved in rewilding the property, the day-to-day challenges of working on the ground in Africa, and the plans for the future

5 Reasons to Visit the Zambezi River According to a Zimbabwean Safari Lodge Host 125

Often overshadowed by other large bodies of water in the world, othe

Zambezi River is a sight to behold and a force to be reckoned with.

It’s the longest east-flowing river in Africa and the largest flowing into the Indian Ocean from Africa. It flows through seven African countries and is home to various wildlife including hippopotamuses and crocodiles.

The mighty Zambezi also supports several bird species including pelicans, herons and flamingos and is the life force for creatures like elephants, zebras, buffalo and giraffes. Not to mention the spectacular Victoria Falls that feature on the river, straddling the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Perched on the Zambezi’s banks, Matetsi Victoria Falls is a luxurious safari lodge dedicated to showcasing the splendor of Zimbabwe and everything that its landscapes, culture and people have to offer. What started as a family dream has now become a thriving, tight-knit, family-run reality.

Matetsi sits on 136,000 acres, providing expansive space for guests and wildlife to roam and explore, all while providing the perfect setting for Matetsi’s concerted conservation work. The retreat’s 16 suites, two family suites and one private villa all pay homage to intricate Zimbabwean design and ensure luxury while staying in the heart of nature.

Matetsi’s team is proudly 100% Zimbabwean, with the majority of team members hailing from the local Victoria Falls area. The heat of the African sun is matched only by the warmth and commitment to outstanding hospitality shared by all members of the Matetsi team.

Take It From a Local Expert We caught up with Matetsi’s Camp Host, Lloyd, to hear directly from a Zimbabwean living and breathing safari lodge luxury about exactly what makes visiting the Zambezi River so special.

Meet Matetsi’s Camp Host, Lloyd

#2: Unforgettable Safaris,

Expert Tracking and Tireless Conservation As committed to wildlife as it is to the human population, Matetsi also prides itself on rigorous and ambitious conservation projects. The 136,000acre Matetsi Private Game Reserve ensures that every inch of Matetsi land is protected and regenerated.

The property lies in the Northwestern corner of Zimbabwe, an area renowned for having the second largest elephant population in the world and still holds significant tracts of African teak, both of which are abundant at Matetsi.

The lodge has donated four vehicles explicitly for the purpose of helping anti-poaching initiatives.

The team has also developed an in-house AntiPoaching Unit and spearheads initiatives like desnaring vulnerable elephants caught by cruel and dangerous poacher traps.

#1: Boat Cruises At Sunrise or Sunset

There’s no better way to visit a body of water than to glide down it by boat. Whether it’s at dawn or dusk, Matetsi offers boat cruises and canoeing expeditions down the longest east-flowing river in Africa.

A special way to visit the Zambezi is to have a chunk of it to yourself and luckily, Matetsi’s Private Game Reserve includes nine miles of exclusive river frontage. River cruises are led by personal guides and trackers, roles that Lloyd says are key to an incredible experience as the trackers are expertly trained to spot the incredible wildlife that lives on and around the river.

Some guests have even witnessed elephants swimming in the water and have sighted the rare

Pel’s fishing owl. Lloyd himself studied how to be a professional guide, inspired by the many different bird species in his homeland and wanting to share their magnificent sights and sounds with others wanting to experience the wonders of Zimbabwe.

Lloyd says Matetsi’s setting on the Zambezi is particularly unique because “We are very close to borders that connect us to four countries (Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and Zambia). We get to see different breeding herds of elephants from Botswana and huge herds of buffalo from the Hwange National Park because they’re attracted to the availability of water ponds that pump water throughout the season.”

Matetsi sits in an area that is also part of the world’s largest transfrontier conservation area where Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia all converge. With an absence of fences throughout the game reserve, animals are free to roam their land and guests can enjoy thoughtful and considerate safari experiences that don’t hinder the local flora or fauna.

Lloyd himself grew up in a rural area of Zimbabwe where most people in his village were cattle herders.

He says that many people like him are inspired to train as trackers so that they can help cattle herders find any animals that go missing over their vast lands. This tracking expertise also comes in handy on safari expeditions at Matetsi where every outing includes a safari guide and an expert tracker so that guests have the greatest chance of seeing and following magnificent beasts like lions and elephants roaming free.

For Lloyd, a Matetsi safari is particularly special because “We get to see animals roaming freely in and out of the lodge and we have waterholes on the reserve which makes our gaming and safaris even more active as animals don’t walk long distances in search of water.”

#3: Sommelier Hosts and Fine Dining in the Bush

A selection of Africa’s finest wines can be sipped on the banks of the Zambezi and paired with the exceptional dishes served by expert Zimbabwean chefs using locally sourced produce.

No dining spot is too exclusive for Matetsi guests, Lloyd assures that he and his team are equipped to set up a fine dining experience even out in the bush. He also fondly remembers times when pristinely prepared, exquisite bush dinners have had to be entirely changed and adapted due to a last

minute change in the weather (unexpectedly ardent rainfall). So whether it’s on the banks of the river or hidden out in the bush, no dinner setting is off the cards at Matetsi.

Ever enthusiastic about deepening his knowledge, Lloyd is completing his WSET Level 1 to become a certified sommelier. He wants to be able to better advise guests on which wines to pair with their food to enhance their dining experience at Matetsi; an experience that’s hard to beat elsewhere along the Zambezi.

#4: Enjoy the Magnificent

the spray and the vistas of the falls from the comfort of the Victoria Falls Hotel terrace.

What would a trip to the Zambezi be without visiting its world-renowned feature, the Victoria Falls?

For budding adrenaline junkies, Lloyd recommends a bungee jump off the Victoria Falls bridge, ziplining across the Bakota gorge or whitewater rafting down the rapids of the Zambezi. So however guests prefer to experience the Victoria Falls, Matetsi has it covered.

Victoria Falls

Also known as ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ (the Smoke that Thunders), the Victoria Falls is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Lloyd and his team have extensive experience organizing thoughtful guided tours of the waterfalls, including the option to explore the surrounding rainforest on foot, learn about the falls’ history and get to know the area’s impressive flora and fauna. Every stay at Matetsi includes a complimentary guided walking tour for every guest.

For anyone wanting to experience Victoria Falls from above, it’s possible to organize a helicopter ride to see the renowned ‘Flight of the Angels’ aerial view to witness the cascading falls in all their glory.

This is then followed by high tea while soaking up

“Getting to see the rainbow and the mist of the falls combined together during the day is so unique,” Lloyd says. “My favorite things about the falls are their vast depth, the ancient history of the gorges and the vegetation in the rainforest next to the falls which is evergreen and extremely lush all year round.”

#5: Personal Touches

Showcasing Zimbabwean Hospitality No thoughtful detail gets forgotten at Matetsi. Lloyd and his team pride themselves on showcasing impressive Zimbabwean hospitality right on the banks of the Zambezi River.

Lloyd says he challenges himself to come up with new and unexpected ways of impressing guests and making their experience stand out. From whipping up an elegant cocktail on arrival to creating personalized menus tailored based on dietary

requirements and complete with guests’ names, Lloyd loves accompanying guests throughout their stay to make sure it’s unforgettable and surprising from start to finish.

Without any hesitation, Lloyd says his favorite thing about being Camp Host at Matetsi is “To help and plan for the guests. To meet and greet all the guests and welcome them from all over the world. That feeling is special, knowing that you’re ready for them and that you’ve planned everything perfectly.

I enjoy serving the guests and making sure they’re happy. I believe that first impressions are everything; guests can work out who you are in a short period of five minutes and I love showing how good we are in that short space of time.”

A Zambezi Adventure Awaits

Lloyd’s story is just one example of Matetsi’s commitment to its community. The team is 100% Zimbabwean, of which 60% is from the local Victoria Falls area. Matetsi’s team highlights the importance of not just importing foreign hospitality professionals to run a hotel but actually seeing the promise and talent of Zimbabweans and nurturing their potential to become well-loved hospitality experts. This dedication is part of the Matetsi magic and for guests, it’s far better to learn about the essence of a place from the people who’ve grown up there and know its intricacies by heart.

The little corner of Zimbabwe where Matetsi lies is a place where the dull hum of daily life is left well and truly behind, making space for an igniting of the senses and a feeling of profound wonder.

Matetsi is proof that when the natural beauty of a place and a commitment to conservation and career development converge, a harmonious example of regeneration occurs where people, wildlife, nature and life in general flow as freely as the remarkable Zambezi River itself.

Discover Matetsi Victoria Falls and book your stay with exclusive member benefits by signing up to be a Regenerative Travel + Member

Blue Travel: How Your Vacation Impacts The Ocean

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117

. . . And How To Travel More Regeneratively Despite

covering

71%

of

the

planet, providing over 50% of our oxygen

and

representing

more

than 80% of global biodiversity, the ocean receives relatively little support

in

conservation

the

way

of

initiatives.

global As

of

2021, only 2.7% of the ocean has been

designated

Protected

as

Areas”

“Marine

Below, we’ve compiled a handy list of tips and resources for practicing more responsible ocean stewardship both at home and abroad — whether it’s patronizing regenerative hotels or adopting more conscientious waste management. This list is by no means exhaustive, and as the Regenerative Travel industry grows, we hope this list evolves right alongside it.

With more than 80% of global tourism aggregated in coastal regions and small island developing states particularly vulnerable to global warming, it is more important than ever that we recognize ocean-based travel for the privilege it is, and do all we can to protect the shared blue ecosystem that makes our planet home.

(MPAs)

according to a study in Nature.

That’s

compared

to

18%

of

protected forest areas on land.

The tourism industry can be especially damaging when it comes to climatic ocean impacts. After all, the per passenger emissions of a single 2,500 mile flight (roughly the distance from New York to Los Angeles) produces enough additional carbon dioxide to shrink the Arctic’s summer ice cover by 3 square meters, or 32 square feet, researchers discovered in 2016. And that’s just airline travel.

According to The New York Times, even the most efficient cruise ships (already notorious for their air, light, noise and wastewater pollution and human rights violations) “emit 3 to 4 times more carbon dioxide per passenger-mile than a jet.”

For responsible travelers, ocean-safe tourism is about minimizing environmental damage while directing as many tourism-dollars-spent as possible towards marine conservation and bolstering coastal communities. Relays the World Economic Forum, the economic value of coastal ecosystems is estimated to span from “billions to trillions,” with benefits ranging from food to storm protection to even carbon capture. Yet investments in the blue economy to date pale against the scale necessary to effectively combat climate change.

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consumer-side plastic use, consumer responsibility is only part of the equation.

Contamination of the local water supply makes bottled water the only safe option in many majority world countries, and industry producers and regulatory bodies also have a responsibility to limit global plastic demand. Thankfully, some hotels have taken it upon themselves to help guests find sustainable alternatives.

#2: Avoid Cruise Ships Defendants of the industry argue that comparing the environmental impact of cruises to other forms of transportation is unfair, as cruises are not simply methods of transportation, but hotels, restaurants and floating amusement parks unto themselves.

But when so many sustainable and regenerative alternatives exist, the industry’s innumerable red flags become more difficult to ignore. Do yourself a favor: until several reliable news sources report about massive and sustained industry reform, just skip the boat. The ocean will thank you.

At Fogo Island Inn in Newfoundland, for example, all guests are provided stainless steel reusable water bottles, and the hotel has eliminated straws and single use cutlery from its dining offerings.

Similarly, in 2007, the Fundación Grupo Puntacana at Tortuga Bay pioneered the first Zero Waste project in the Dominican Republic, working to improve and encourage the development of recycling, waste management and environmental education programs both at the resort and throughout the local community.

If you don’t have access to filtered water, other natural and zero waste solutions like activated charcoal filters also work in a pinch.

#1: Travel Local Whenever Possible “Hour for hour, there’s no better way to burn fossil fuel and heat the planet [than flying],” writes NASA climate scientist Peter Kalmus on the no-fly advocacy website No Fly Climate Sci. Annually, aviation contributes an estimated 2.4% of global CO2 emissions, most of it from commercial travel, and beyond CO2, nitrogen oxide, soot, water vapor and sulfate aerosol pollution further traps heat radiation and leads to an estimated 16,000 premature deaths per year.

Despite advancements in fuel efficiency and biofuel technology, moreover, aviation industry emissions are only expected to increase due to growing travel demand, which is projected to

#4: Respect Local Flora And Fauna

#3: Reduce Your Plastic Waste “Plastic pollution kills aquatic wildlife, damages natural systems and contaminates marine food chains,” notes the World Wildlife Fund. But while carrying your own reusable bags, food containers, water bottles and straws certainly cuts down on

Well-worn travelers are likely already familiar with the principles of “Do No Harm,” and “Leave No Trace,” but they bear repeating, particularly when applied to delicate marine ecosystems like coral reefs. After all, according to the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network, global warming has caused a progressive loss amounting to 14% of the world’s coral reefs between 2009 and 2018.

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Irresponsible diving practices like intentionally or unintentionally breaking off corals, touching fish and kicking up sediment (which blocks light necessary for algal photosynthesis), may lead tourists to inadvertently destroy the very environments they wish to enjoy.

Initiatives like the Kwanini Marine Protected Area at The Manta Resort help protect wildlife by creating designated no-take zones in areas where overfishing has resulted in population decline and environmental degradation. According to the resort, since the implementation of the KMPA in 2013, local fish populations have rebounded “exponentially” in terms of both biodiversity and biomass.

Through their Snorkeling for Conservation program, Manta guests can responsibly explore the reef, accompanied by snorkeling guides and under the supervision of the KMPA’s nine rangers, who enforce regulation and ensure no fishing takes place within the protected zone.

This is most often due to the presence of oxybenzone, which gets absorbed by coral and disrupts the coral’s reproduction cycles, though other “reef-safe” alternatives may not be entirely in the clear either.

The best thing beach goers can do is rely on sturdy, multi-purpose forms of sun protection like hats and protective layering, which can reduce the amount of sunscreen needed by up to 90%, according to National Geographic. For when sunscreen is unavoidable, make sure to check the label and choose a formula made with natural mineral ingredients like titanium oxide or zinc oxide, or those made for children or people with sensitive skin, as these are likely to be less reef damaging.

coral restoration gardening program has successfully propagated 8,810 transplanted corals and 5,394 linear meters of planted tissue as of 2020, while concurrent initiatives for hawksbill sea turtle restoration as well as an ornamental fish nursery have also resulted in improved livelihoods for local fishing families and reduced fishing pressures for local coral reefs.

To avoid issues of greenwashing, potential guests should take care to prioritize transparency and specificity when analyzing any organization’s sustainability claims. Robust impact measurement which provides concrete figures, as well as readily discloses possible shortcomings and areas for improvement, goes a long way in building credibility and ensuring your tourism dollars go towards companies who are legitimately creating positive impacts for their local communities.

Individual measures like turning off lights and relying on nature-based heating and cooling are certainly the most direct approach travelers can take to reduce their energy consumption, but broader, industry-level transitions to renewables also provide invaluable support in keeping us within safe planetary boundaries.

Alongside the resort’s robust turtle conservation program, Playa Viva in Mexico also minimizes its environmental footprint by running entirely on solar energy. Additionally, the resort’s lighting systems are generally limited to an amber color to reduce negative light effects on nesting turtles, and on-site smart water design conservation measures ensure that all gray water flows to irrigate nearby gardens, all water pulled from the local aquifer is cleaned and replenished and all black water from toilets is processed with miniliving systems.

Of course, each ecosystem comes with its own unique risks, so make sure to check with informed local guides for the most up-to-date and responsible recreation recommendations before traveling.

#6: Donate To Conservation r anizations

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ike The Manta Resort, several eco-lodges partner with local or fund their own nonprofits, who in turn direct guest funds towards impactful conservation and sustainability initiatives. These can range from establishing Marine Protected Areas, to investing in local infrastructure projects, to providing primary medical care for local residents.

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#5: Choose Sustainable Sunscreens According to the U.S. National Parks Service, between 4,000 and 6,000 tons of sunscreen enters coral reefs every year, concentrated in the world’s 10% most popular sites and resulting in welldocumented coral bleaching.

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Since its establishment in 1994, the Fundación Grupo Puntacana at Tortuga Bay has served as a pioneer in the sustainability community. A leader of the international Partnership for Ecologically Sustainable Coastal Areas (PESCA), the group’s

#7: Limit Your Water/ nergy Use

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Another powerfully simple way to mitigate your environmental impact is to limit your water and electricity use. According to BP’s Statistical Review of World Energy 2020, 84% of the world’s energy consumption in 2019 came from fossil fuels, and in 2016, over 73% of global greenhouse gas emissions came from the energy sector. Researchers have warned that as Earth nears 1.5°C of global warming, more than 90% of the world’s coral reefs will suffer from an “intolerable level of thermal stress,” reports CBS News. Without drastic measures, scientists believe that we’re already well on our way to surpass 2°C.

#8: Choose Sustainable Seafood Overfishing yields deleterious effects not only for the fished species, but also the broader ecosystem.

“When too many fish are taken out of the ocean,” the World Wildlife Fund shares, “it creates an imbalance that can erode the food web and lead to a loss of other important marine life, including vulnerable species like sea turtles and corals.” With the number of overfished stocks tripling globally in the past half-century and half the world’s population dependent on fish as their primary source of protein, choosing sustainable seafood 129

is no longer simply a luxury, but a necessity, especially for those with the adequate means to do so.

“Community managed areas,” the WWF goes on to explain, “often based on traditional knowledge and customary practices, benefit people in places where fishing is such an important part of livelihoods of coastal communities.” Such community-driven benefits are exemplified nowhere better than Newfoundland’s Fogo Island Inn.

Self-dubbed a charitable foundation with a luxury inn rather than a luxury inn with a charity foundation, 100% of Fogo Island’s profits are reinvested back into the local community through various social and environmental initiatives, including the creation and re-popularization of sustainable fishing practices like cod potting. This “slow-fishing” method, which reduces bycatch and ghost fishing, also allows local fishermen to receive significantly higher prices for their yields when compared to more commercialized methods.

The resort shared with Regenerative Travel that it has begun initial research on a regenerative seaweed farming program, a form of communitysupported aquaculture which aims to create a rich environment for marine life and provide a nutrient-rich product which can be used for food, nutritional supplements and skin and hair care.

#9: Educate Yourself Finally, and perhaps most importantly, make the effort to educate yourself on your trip’s environmental impacts. Look for resorts with strong guest educational programs like Hamanasi, which hosts a weekly “Green Happy Hour” during which the company’s Green Team can answer guest questions about the resort’s environmental conservation initiatives.

Located in Belize, a country with the world’s second largest barrier reef, Hamanasi is deeply committed to preserving its marine environment for present and future generations, with all tours provided by certified guides who take the time to inform guests about the local flora and fauna and emphasize Do No Harm principles.

Additionally, informational booklets about the resort’s tours and environmental programs are provided in every room, guests are disallowed from using reef-damaging sunscreen and Hamanasi partners with local nonprofits to provide additional educational opportunities. For World Oceans Day 2022 in particular, Hamanasi conducted reef and beach clean-ups for guests, as well as educational presentations and an oceanthemed paint and sip and movie night on the beach.

This year’s UN World Oceans Day event theme is “Revitalization: Collective Action for the Ocean.”

Though these tips focus primarily on the choices individual travelers can make, ocean conservation starts with applying these principles at home.

Participating in local beach cleanups, limiting your water and energy use and reducing single-use plastics all have far-reaching impacts, long before your vacation even begins.

help engender the broader cultural shifts necessary to transition towards more responsible models of consumption. Doing so requires the conviction, transparency and imagination to embrace nature- and community-based solutions and challenge the status quo. Innovations in blue technology and finance such as those championed

by NOAH Regen and the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, moreover, can help to mobilize the private sector with the speed and resources necessary to effectively combat the climate crisis.

Whenever you do travel, tourism provides incredible opportunities to convene intimately with the vast underwater ecosystems which are so critical to human life — but only when done with great reverence and care, ideally through the guidance and in support of crucial frontline organizations dedicated to conserving these delicate environments.

Though these issues may feel distant or even insurmountable at times, it is only through our combined efforts and mutual solidarity that we may actively turn the tide on climate change, and realize a truly vibrant and sustainable future for all.

For tourism businesses and industry influencers, bridging the gap between conscious consumer demand and leading sustainability principles can not only offer key competitive advantages, but also 128

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