About

Summary:

Regenerative tourism is increasingly discussed across the tourism sector, yet many small and medium-sized tourism businesses struggle to understand what it means in practice and how it differs from sustainable tourism.

Acorn Tourism Consulting was commissioned by CBI to develop a clear and accessible guide to regenerative tourism for SMEs in developing countries targeting the European market. The report explains regenerative tourism in simple terms, positions it as a natural evolution of sustainability, and provides practical guidance to help businesses begin their regenerative journey without treating regeneration as a label, checklist, or certification.

Our Approach:

Acorn Tourism developed a practice-oriented and place-based guide, grounded in internationally recognised sustainability principles and emerging regenerative thinking.

The report:

• Explains regenerative tourism using clear language and real-world examples
• Positions sustainability and regeneration as part of the same journey, not competing concepts
• Introduces the idea of tourism as a living system connecting people, culture, nature, and economy
• Provides a step-by-step pathway from sustainability foundations to regenerative thinking
• Includes tools, checklists, and reflection questions for SMEs
• Presents international case studies illustrating different regenerative approaches in practice

The content draws on thought leadership from recognised regenerative tourism experts and is tailored specifically to the needs, capacities, and constraints of SMEs in developing destinations.

Outcomes:

The guide provides SMEs with a clear, honest, and practical introduction to regenerative tourism, helping them move beyond buzzwords towards meaningful action.

It supports tourism businesses to:

• Strengthen sustainability practices
• Avoid greenwashing
• Build deeper connections with communities and nature
• Design tourism experiences that contribute positively to places and people
• Position themselves more effectively in the European market