Step. and GO! Turn your challenges into concrete actions.

The engagement of citizens through resilient and regenerative tourism, slow tourism, responsible tourism, sustainable tourism, or ecological tourism

[fr]Les concepts de tourisme responsable, durable, écologique, résilient et régénératif recouvrent des approches complémentaires qui visent à repenser le tourisme en intégrant des dimensions environnementales, sociales et économiques.[en]The concepts of responsible, sustainable, ecological, resilient, and regenerative tourism encompass complementary approaches that aim to rethink tourism by integrating environmental, social, and economic dimensions.



To read all the content, log in for free to the website.

General Approach – Understanding the Key Concepts of Tomorrow’s Tourism and Identifying Virtuous Models

In the face of major environmental, social, and economic challenges, tourism must evolve towards more responsible and regenerative practices. Several complementary approaches are emerging to reduce negative impacts and maximize local benefits.

This article provides an overview of the six key virtuous tourism models:

Each of these models offers specific responses to current and future challenges, while also enriching one another.

To better understand this evolution, it is essential to explore six major complementary approaches: i) responsible tourism, based on an ethical approach involving all stakeholders; ii) sustainable tourism, which aims to balance ecology, economy, and society; iii) ecological tourism, which places ecosystem preservation at the heart of practices; iv) resilient tourism, which develops the capacity of destinations to adapt to crises; v) regenerative tourism, which seeks not only to limit impact but to restore and revitalize visited destinations; and vi) solidarity tourism, which emphasizes human exchanges and social equity.

These approaches, while distinct, work in synergy, enriching each other, paving the way for a more ethical, immersive, and sustainable tourism, and converging towards a common goal: pushing the boundaries of conventional tourism to become a driver of positive transformation.

● 1. Responsible Tourism: An Ethical and Shared Approach

Responsible tourism is based on collective awareness, involving both travelers and professionals in the sector as well as local communities. It is not just about adopting eco-friendly practices, but deeply rethinking our travel habits, considering economic, environmental, and cultural impacts.

Several principles guide this approach. i) Respect for local populations is central: it means valuing cultures and traditions, avoiding any form of cultural appropriation or folklorization of local knowledge. ii) Reducing the environmental footprint involves optimizing resource use (energy, water, food), reducing waste, and choosing low-carbon transportation modes. iii) Economic and social equity aims to fairly redistribute tourism benefits, supporting local initiatives and promoting proximity tourism. iv) Stakeholder involvement and transparency are essential levers, as the transition to more responsible tourism requires close collaboration among travelers, businesses, associations, and public authorities.

Responsible tourism best practices include actions like raising traveler awareness about eco-friendly behaviors before and during their stay, creating codes of conduct to respect natural and cultural sites, and developing partnerships between agencies and local structures to support ethical and inclusive initiatives.

● 2. Sustainable Tourism: A Balanced Model Between Environment, Economy, and Society

Sustainable tourism draws inspiration from sustainable development, balancing the needs of today’s travelers with the capacity of future generations to enjoy the same benefits. Unlike responsible tourism, which relies primarily on individual and collective commitment, sustainable tourism includes structural commitments from businesses and destinations.

It is based on three pillars: i) the environment, with the responsible management of natural resources and minimizing negative impacts on ecosystems; ii) the economy, ensuring long-term financial viability while supporting local actors; iii) the social aspect, ensuring the well-being of local populations, respecting their cultures, and fostering respectful exchanges between visitors and residents.

Destinations adopting a sustainable approach often invest in green infrastructure, use renewable energy, develop local supply chains for food and crafts, and promote awareness initiatives for travelers.

● 3. Ecological Tourism: Preserve, Educate, and Restore

Ecological tourism, or ecotourism, goes even further in preservation, aiming for a complete harmony between travel and nature. The goal is not only to reduce impact but to transform each tourist experience into a tool for education and action in favor of the environment.

This approach is based on two main principles: i) minimizing ecological footprint, by promoting clean transportation, low-impact accommodations, and responsible waste and resource management; ii) conserving biodiversity, by limiting visitor pressure on sensitive sites and involving travelers in conservation actions like reforestation or protecting endangered species.

Concrete examples include organizing stays in eco-lodges, where every element (architecture, food, energy) is designed to minimize environmental impact, or offering educational nature tours led by conservation specialists.

● 4. Resilient Tourism: Adapting and Anticipating Crises

In the face of climate challenges, natural disasters, and economic or health crises, resilient tourism relies on the ability of destinations and stakeholders to adapt, resist, and quickly innovate to overcome disruptions.

It relies on several strategies: i) risk anticipation, through emergency planning for natural (floods, droughts, hurricanes) and health crises; ii) activity diversification, to avoid over-reliance on a single tourism type or season; iii) innovation in infrastructure, incorporating green solutions for better resilience to external shocks.

Examples include integrated territorial planning (with environmental management plans developed in collaboration with local authorities, including the creation of protected areas and ecosystem restoration), relocating tourism offers to focus on local tourism, participatory tourism (actively involving local communities in resource management and restoration projects like tree planting or beach cleanups), or the creation of autonomous eco-neighborhoods to strengthen territorial resilience.

● 5. Regenerative Tourism: Beyond Sustainability, Restoring and Revitalizing

Regenerative tourism goes beyond the concept of sustainability by aiming not only to minimize negative tourism impacts but also to create positive, restorative effects on the destinations visited. It seeks to restore ecosystems, revitalize local cultures, and strengthen community resilience, while creating meaningful and enriching travel experiences.

Three key areas structure this approach: i) ecosystem restoration, including initiatives like reforestation, natural habitat preservation, and soil regeneration; ii) community strengthening, by encouraging exchanges based on knowledge sharing and integrating traditional practices in resource management; iii) creating positive legacies, through projects that endure beyond travelers’ visits, ensuring long-term beneficial impacts on the destination.

Examples of regenerative practices:
 Travel involving natural restoration, where visitors participate in tree planting, wetland rehabilitation, or coral reef conservation.
 Stays integrating indigenous knowledge transmission, valuing local resource management practices and biodiversity preservation.
 Regenerative accommodations, which not only reduce their environmental footprint but actively contribute to territorial regeneration through conservation and social innovation projects.

● 6. Solidarity Tourism: For a Fair and Engaged Journey

Solidarity tourism emphasizes the human and social dimensions of travel, promoting equitable benefit distribution and encouraging authentic interactions between visitors and local populations. It is a participatory approach where every stakeholder – travelers, host communities, and local organizations – plays a key role in creating a mutually enriching experience.

This approach is based on three fundamental principles: i) Inclusion and economic and social equity, ensuring that tourism benefits directly support local communities, valuing their cultural heritage; ii) Sharing and mutual learning, where visitors are not just consumers but active participants in knowledge exchange; iii) Involving travelers in local projects, providing direct support to educational, cultural, or community development initiatives.

Examples of solidarity practices:
 Stays with local families, promoting fair income distribution and authentic experiences.
 Participatory travel integrating local projects, like school construction, artisan training, or micro-enterprise support.
 Educational and collaborative cultural circuits, developed in partnership with local associations, allowing travelers to interact with residents while contributing to social development projects.

Conclusion

The six concepts – responsible, sustainable, ecological, resilient, regenerative, and solidarity tourism – are not isolated but interconnected, providing a structured framework for evolving tourism into a more respectful and balanced model. They address environmental, social, and economic challenges while ensuring long-term viability for destinations and tourism actors.

To read all the content,
log in or create a user account for free.

Create a user account for free :

Registering with the site Personal identifiers

Enter your name and email address here. You will receive your personal identifier shortly by email.

Personal information

Terms of use

Operational Approaches to Resilient and Regenerative Tourism – Designing Engaging Custom Travel for Citizen Mobilization

This module explores the design of custom travel experiences that integrate the principles of resilient and regenerative tourism while promoting citizen mobilization.

Based on real-world insights from participatory workshops and brainstorming sessions, it offers a methodological framework for developing innovative and impactful tourism projects. The article highlights strategic levers such as youth involvement in school trips, collaborative organization, and participatory creativity. It also examines the use of modern tools – like business plans and artificial intelligence – to effectively address the expectations of audiences and the contemporary challenges of the tourism sector.

In the face of current environmental and social challenges, tourism must shift from a resource exploitation model to a sustainable and regenerative approach, benefiting both visitors and local communities. This transformation is not merely an alternative but an essential lever for redefining the impact of travel. At the same time, citizen mobilization plays a key role in the regeneration of visited environments, directly involving travelers in high-value actions.

This module provides an operational approach to the design of custom travel experiences incorporating these dimensions. It draws on concrete real-world experiences.

● Conceptual Framework and Operational Foundations

Resilient and Regenerative Tourism

"Resilient tourism" aims to strengthen the capacity of destinations to withstand crises – whether economic, environmental, or health-related – while ensuring their viability and continuity. Regenerative tourism, on the other hand, goes beyond simply reducing impact: it actively seeks to restore and improve the state of visited environments, placing regeneration at the heart of the travel experience. These approaches require rethinking traditional models by focusing on the revitalization of local resources, the development of eco-responsible infrastructure, and the establishment of collaborative partnerships with communities.

Citizen Mobilization and Participatory Engagement

One of the major innovations is the integration of citizen mobilization from the very beginning of the travel design process. For example, school trips provide a powerful opportunity for awareness-raising, allowing young people to become not just observers, but active participants in the preservation and regeneration of the destinations they visit.

Collaborative organization and creative participation are also central to this dynamic. By promoting collective intelligence through brainstorming sessions and open dialogue, these projects encourage participants to actively contribute to decision-making and the actions implemented. This approach ensures strong engagement while enhancing the learning and autonomy of travelers.

Methodology for Creating Custom Travel Experiences

● 1. Participatory Design and Needs Assessment

Market Research and Participatory Diagnostics
The first step is to analyze the expectations and needs of different target audiences (schools, families, students, retirees, businesses). This qualitative analysis helps assess their requirements in terms of comfort, safety, and immersive experiences, whether it involves adventure, cultural exchange, or environmental awareness.

At the same time, competitive analysis and industry trend assessments can identify opportunities for differentiation and positioning. The integration of digital tools, such as artificial intelligence and collaborative databases, facilitates the synthesis of information and the creation of a tailored business plan.

Defining the Target Audience and Specific Objectives
A precise segmentation of participants allows for customized offerings that align with their specific expectations. For example, a school trip might be designed to raise awareness among young people about biodiversity, while a family trip might prioritize intergenerational balance, blending discovery, activities, and relaxation.

The objectives of the trip should be clear and aligned with the principles of sustainable tourism: reducing ecological footprints, regenerating visited ecosystems, and valuing local knowledge.

● 2. Brainstorming Processes and Collaborative Organization

Co-Creation Workshops
Involving stakeholders in travel design is essential for developing innovative and engaging offers. Collective brainstorming sessions allow participants to express their ideas through mood boards and post-its, facilitating the emergence of promising concepts.
These ideas are then categorized according to several criteria: i) Ease of implementation, ii) Degree of innovation, iii) Potential impact on tourism practices.

Idea Exchange and Concept Structuring
Interactive discussions help refine ideas and clarify key terminologies such as slow tourism, resilient tourism, regenerative tourism, and solidarity tourism.

Concrete examples illustrate the various possible approaches:
 A cycling trip along the Loire Valley castles, representing slow tourism, emphasizing gentle mobility and progressive immersion in heritage.
 A school trip focused on environmental observation and species counting, illustrating scientific and educational tourism.
 A solidarity tourism trip involving intercultural exchanges and ecological regeneration actions, such as tree planting or coral reef restoration.

● 3. Operational Planning

Logistical and Safety Organization
Successful travel relies on meticulous planning, structured into several phases: i) Preparation: Selecting accommodations and service providers, training guides, developing itineraries; ii) Implementation: On-the-ground execution with real-time adaptation based on participant needs; iii) Post-trip follow-up: Gathering feedback and evaluating the actions taken.

Special attention is given to safety protocols, depending on the type of trip. A school trip will require supervision suited to minors, while a nature expedition will involve specific protocols (risk management, appropriate equipment, emergency procedures).

Marketing Strategy and Business Model
Even the most innovative trips require effective promotion strategies.

These should include:
 Trade shows and specialized events to reach an engaged audience.
 Local media and community radio for territorial integration.
 Social media and digital campaigns to reach a wider audience.

The business model must ensure financial sustainability, combining multiple funding sources:
 Self-financing and tiered pricing to ensure accessibility without compromising quality.
 Institutional partnerships and sponsorships to reduce costs and maximize impact.
 Public and private grants to support high-value environmental and social initiatives.

Practical Examples and Applications

Insights from brainstorming sessions highlight several innovative initiatives that concretely reflect the principles of resilient and regenerative tourism.

 Collaborative Scientific Travel and Citizen Engagement: A school trip designed to raise youth awareness of environmental issues through participatory field actions, such as species counting, observation workshops, and ecosystem analysis.

 Thematic Family Travel: An immersive family trip designed to offer each age group meaningful experiences, balancing local discovery, ecological awareness, and moments of relaxation tailored to both children and adults.

 Innovative Regenerative Travel: Ambitious initiatives combining tourism with the regeneration of natural environments, such as ecosystem restoration, reforestation, or the testing of alternative techniques (e.g., introducing fungi cultivation on degraded soils).

 Use of Modern Tools: Leveraging new technologies, including artificial intelligence and digital platforms, to optimize project design and management, from financial planning to on-the-ground coordination.

These examples demonstrate the impact of a participatory approach, where citizen mobilization and collaboration between diverse stakeholders can transform a strategic vision into concrete, sustainable, and innovative operations.

The approaches described emphasize the need to rethink tourism as a true lever for ecological and social transformation.

Integrating custom travel into a resilient and regenerative tourism dynamic relies on several pillars:

- Co-creation and citizen involvement: Designing experiences that meet the real needs of travelers and local communities by actively involving them in the design process.
 Use of collaborative tools and brainstorming workshops: Encouraging the emergence of innovative ideas and continuously adjusting projects based on stakeholder feedback.
 Rigorous planning and adaptability: Implementing pilot tests and feedback mechanisms to ensure long-term viability and relevance.

Educational dimensions and citizen engagement are key to maximizing the impact of these projects, transforming participants into agents of change, raising awareness of sustainable practices, and involving them in the preservation and regeneration of visited environments.

Conclusion

Resilient and regenerative tourism, when designed with a participatory approach, offers an innovative and pragmatic response to contemporary environmental and social challenges. By integrating methodologies based on in-depth market research, collaborative processes, and strategic planning, it becomes possible to create tourism experiences that are beneficial for visitors, local communities, and the environment.

This approach goes beyond merely reducing the ecological footprint of tourism; it also seeks to generate lasting positive impacts by actively engaging citizens in concrete actions for the preservation and restoration of natural environments.

The rise of digital tools and artificial intelligence further strengthens this dynamic by facilitating the organization, personalization, and networking of initiatives. For future professionals in the sector, mastering these approaches becomes an essential asset for transforming the tourism industry into a force for positive and sustainable change.

PRACTICAL EXERCISES

Perspectives and Practical Exercises

● 1. Participatory Brainstorming Workshop
Encourage creativity and innovation through collaborative sessions where participants imagine custom travel experiences that integrate the principles of resilient and regenerative tourism. Using post-its, mood boards, and collaborative tools, each group can propose original concepts and rank them based on: i) feasibility, ii) environmental and social impact, and iii) innovation potential.

● 2. Market Research and Needs Analysis
Conduct surveys among different target audiences (students, families, retirees) to better understand their expectations regarding responsible and regenerative travel. The goal is to identify trends, analyze traveler preferences, and develop a targeted marketing plan that highlights authentic and sustainable experiences.

● 3. Logistical and Safety Planning
Design a detailed itinerary that incorporates both educational activities and safety measures tailored to each audience. This planning should include: i) selecting destinations based on their resilience and capacity to accommodate visitors, ii) evaluating the available eco-friendly infrastructure, and iii) creating an operational timeline outlining preparation, implementation, and post-trip follow-up phases.

● 4. Pilot Test and Feedback
Organize a pilot session (e.g., a discovery weekend) to test the feasibility of the project with a small group of participants. This phase will allow for an evaluation of the experience, identification of potential improvements, and adjustment of the program before scaling up. A continuous feedback system should be established to ensure dynamic adjustments for future editions.

By combining these theoretical and practical approaches, this module offers a structured framework for imagining and developing innovative and participatory tourism projects. By integrating the principles of resilient and regenerative tourism, these initiatives enable active citizen mobilization and transform each journey into a concrete opportunity for sustainable and positive change.

References:

North America
• Kotler, P., Kartajaya, H., & Setiawan, I. (2011). Marketing 3.0: From Products to Customers to the Human Spirit. Wiley.
• Vargo, S. L., & Lusch, R. F. (2004). "Evolving to a New Dominant Logic for Marketing." Journal of Marketing, 68(1), 1–17.
• Brown, T. (2009). Change by Design: How Design Thinking Transforms Organizations and Inspires Innovation. HarperBusiness.

Europe
• Norman, D. (2002). The Design of Everyday Things. Basic Books.
• Hall, C. M. (2008). Tourism Planning and Policy. Pearson Education.
• Budeanu, A. (2007). "Sustainable Consumption: Green Consumer Behaviour When Purchasing Products." Journal of Consumer Policy, 30(2), 143–158.

Africa
• Scheyvens, R. (2002). Tourism for Development in Least Developed Countries. CABI Publishing.
• Burgess, N. D., Danielsen, F., & Balmford, A. (2010). "Local Monitoring for Conservation in Africa: Case Studies and Methodologies." Conservation Letters, 3(3), 158–166.
• Danielsen, F., Burgess, N. D., & Balmford, A. (2009). "Monitoring Matters: Examining the Potential of Locally-Based Monitoring for Conserving Tropical Biodiversity." Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 24(7), 360–367.

Asia
• Choi, H. C., & Sirakaya, E. (2006). "Sustainable Tourism in Asia: Trends, Challenges, and Future Directions." Tourism Management, 27(6), 1093–1106.
• Ramanathan, U., & Arunachalam, V. (2002). "Market Orientation and its Impact on Organizational Performance in Asia." Journal of Asia Business Studies, 1(1), 23–35.
• Prahalad, C. K., & Ramaswamy, V. (2004). The Future of Competition: Co-Creating Unique Value with Customers. Harvard Business School Press.

South America
• Torres, R., & Momsen, J. H. (2004). "Challenges and Potentials for Sustainable Tourism in Latin America." Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 12(5), 379–402.
• Oliva, R., & Martins, M. (2007). "Market Research and Consumer Insights in Latin America." Latin American Journal of Business Research, 5(1), 12–29.

Oceania
• Williams, J., & McDonald, H. (2014). "Designing Experiences: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Tourism and Marketing in Australia." Journal of Tourism & Cultural Change, 12(2), 117–132.
• Newton, J. (2009). "Sustainable Tourism in Oceania: A Critical Appraisal." Tourism Management Perspectives, 2(3), 159–168.

Antarctica / Miscellaneous
• Robinson, D. (2013). "Tourism in Antarctica: A Model for Sustainable Tourism Management." Antarctic Science, 25(3), 287–293.
• Juhász, R. (2014). "Environmental Impacts of Antarctic Tourism: Strategies for Mitigation." Polar Research, 33(1), 54–63.
• Doppelt, B. (2017). Leading Change Toward Sustainability: A Change-Management Guide for Business, Government, and Civil Society. Greenleaf Publishing.
• Mair, J., & Noboa, E. (2006). "Social Entrepreneurship: How Intentions to Create a Social Venture Are Formed." Journal of Business Venturing, 21(1), 29–49.

Your comments

  • On 19 May at 18:37, by Sandrine LAPART Replying to: L’engagement des citoyens au travers du tourisme résilient et régénératif, slowtourism, tourisme responsable, tourisme durable ou encore tourisme écologique

    Il n’est pas très compliqué de faire certaines démarches responsables à la création d’un hébergement touristique, et cela coûte moins cher de le penser dès le début que de faire les transformations ensuite.
    J’ai mis deux ans pour planifier mon projet de création de gîte en essayant de prendre en compte l’aspect écologique et durable nécessaire pour limiter notre impact sur l’environnement et mettre en place les bonnes pratiques dès le début.
    Tous les éclairages leds à l’intérieur, des éclairages solaires à l’extérieur, des robinets à consommation réduite d’eau tant dans la cuisine que dans la salle de bain (lavabo et douche), une double chasse d’eau dans les W.C., des carafes d’eau en verre, tout comme les gobelets à dents, des éponges microfibres... et tous ces articles réutilisables reviennent au final moins cher que du jetable, et sont moins pollueurs pour la planète !
    Quelques gestes simples, un bac jaune, un à compost (à vider dans le composteur situé sur le terrain) et une poubelle classique dans le logement permettent aux touristes de faire le tri directement sur place, un filtre perpétuel dans la cafetière, autant de petites choses simples à mettre en place et qui permettent un tourisme plus durable et respectueux.

    Reply to this message

Any message or comments?

Forum registration required

You must be registered before participating in this forum. Please enter your personal identifier . If you have not yet registered, you must register.

Connection | Sign up | password forgotten?