Regenerative tourism: how accommodation providers can transform their territory

During this webinar led by experts from LUMIA and the Destination Régénérative programme, one core question was explored: how can accommodation providers become key actors in regenerating places?

The discussion goes beyond merely reducing impact. It is about imagining a tourism model capable of creating net positive effects on the environment, society and local economies.

A new tourism model is emerging

Regenerative tourism goes beyond sustainable tourism.

It is no longer only about reducing negative impacts, but about creating net positive effects on the environment, society and local economies.

This model relies on deep transformation: favouring cooperation over competition, well-being over profit, and creating transformative experiences for visitors.

The objective is to regenerate ecosystems, strengthen local communities and reinvent our relationship with travel.

Principles that guide action

Regenerative tourism relies on several major principles.

A systemic vision encourages accommodation providers to see themselves as part of a territorial ecosystem.

Respecting local limits means adapting visitor flows to a place’s real hosting capacity.

Ecological regeneration seeks to restore natural ecosystems, while local anchoring and community inclusion encourage co-design with residents and local actors.

Finally, transformative experiences enable visitors to live through meaningful and lasting change.

Levers of action for accommodation providers

Accommodation providers have several levers they can use to commit.

On the physical side, this means ecological buildings, local materials, sustainable water, energy and waste management, as well as greening and food production on site.

From a management and culture perspective, it means training teams on regenerative challenges, developing a company culture aligned with living systems, and adopting inspiring, participative leadership.

Territorial anchoring relies on partnerships with local producers and craftspeople, participation in collective projects, and support for local culture and economies.

Finally, the business model can rely on diversified revenue streams, high-value experiences and long-term resilience.

Inspiring examples

Several initiatives illustrate this approach in practice.

Playa Viva in Mexico is an ecolodge committed to regenerating ecosystems, notably through permaculture and turtle protection, while supporting local development.

Fogo Island Inn in Canada offers an economic model at the service of the territory, with strong community involvement.

The Réserve du Mont d’Azur in France offers a deep immersion in living systems through a rewilding project.

These places show that it is possible to combine travel experience, positive impact and economic viability.

A shift in paradigm

Regenerative tourism invites us to rethink the role of tourism businesses, the relationship between visitors and territories, and even the meaning of value itself.

The accommodation provider then becomes a true actor of transformation, capable of actively contributing to the ecological, social and economic vitality of its environment.

Regenerative tourism is not a trend, but a necessary evolution in the face of current challenges.

By relying on solid principles and concrete actions, accommodation providers can become genuine catalysts of territorial regeneration.