The second session , delivered by Dr. Jessica Aquino as the Associate Professor Department of Rural Tourism Hólar University Iceland moderated by Renata Jati Nirmala, M.PA highlighted the concept of “Regenerative Tourism in community development and regional development”.
She explained the concept of community development that has a strong emphasis on building and sharing capacity for improvement within the community while Regional development refers to efforts aimed at making regions more equitable, inclusive, and resilient. She highlighted that both community and regional development are multidimensional concepts that combine justice, cooperation, and the will to improve. Importantly, she also noted that both should be approached through process, practice, and principles that align with the goals of social, economic, and environmental well-being. As a process, regenerative tourism in development requires long-term planning and continuous adaptation. As a practice, it demands the implementation of strategies such as capacity-building, participatory governance, and sustainable resource management. And as a principle, it reflects a commitment to nurturing ecosystems and societies in ways that ensure not only their survival but their flourishing. These goals are achieved through collaboration that fosters socio-economic and environmental improvements, ultimately enhancing sustainable living standards and overall quality of life.
Through this lens, regenerative tourism becomes more than a sectoral activity, it serves as a catalyst for holistic development, bridging community needs with regional aspirations, and shaping tourism as a force for lasting positive transformation.
