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World Journey Market London Requires a Paradigm Shift in Regenerative Tourism
Thursday, November 7, 2024
World Journey Market London’s inaugural Regenerative Tourism Summit emphasised the pressing want for a “paradigm shift” within the journey and tourism sector.
Tina O’Dwyer, founding father of The Tourism House, a sustainable and regenerative vacation spot consultancy, mentioned the present paradigm sees “more visitors as more value” – and tourism additionally contributes to carbon emissions.
Highlighting different issues resembling overtourism and “tourism leakage”, which implies not sufficient cash stays in vacation locations, she warned: “There is a tipping point where more numbers mean less value. Are we brave enough to leave behind a paradigm that has worked well for us in the past? The tipping point question brings regenerative tourism to the fore; communities are looking for more value for themselves and for nature. It requires us to flip assumptions.”
Anna Pollock, Founding father of Aware Journey, underscored urgent warnings from the World Commerce Group about an impending “polycrisis” – a convergence of worldwide dangers, together with the local weather disaster, biodiversity loss, ocean acidification, and political challenges.
She mentioned these points have been seen as separate issues till lately, warning: “Sustainability is not enough. Einstein was right – no problem can be solved with the same consciousness that created it.” She mentioned regeneration can “bring life back to that which was dying or degenerating”, including: “You cannot keep growing and getting bigger and bigger. You have to go through a paradigm shift.”
She mentioned such a shift is beginning to be seen in tourism, highlighting eco-friendly developments which can be extra useful and domestically owned.
Elke Dens, founding father of Place Technology, introduced various case research on regenerative tourism from throughout the globe, resembling easyJet holidays’ initiatives for water administration options in Majorca and The Journey Company’s efforts to chop emissions on Loch Ness excursions.
Dens mentioned collaborating with authorities throughout regional and state boundaries is essential, as is liaising with indigenous folks and residents. She cited the instance of a nun in Bruges who labored with Go to Flanders to open up excursions to see historic Latin books – benefiting each her and the vacation spot.
Delegates additionally discovered about Fáilte Eire’s efforts to revitalize a sprawling peat bathroom panorama, fostering the event of biking trails, glamping, and “slow tourism.”
Backed by the EU’s Simply Transition Programme, the Regenerative Tourism Placemaking Programme goals to rework Eire’s Midlands, a area the place industrial peat harvesting and fossil gas manufacturing have ceased, right into a sustainable tourism hub.
Orla Carroll, Director of Product Growth at Fáilte Eire, mentioned the tourism authority had been awarded €68 million to assist create tourism jobs and regenerate the peatlands as a part of a “fair, just” transition. The mission drew on the learnings from the Wild Atlantic Means scheme in Eire which elevated customer numbers to the western coastal area. Two million extra vacationers visited the Wild Atlantic Means in 2023 than in 2013, with a further 35,000 further jobs being supported in 10 years.
