Amanda Ho of Regenerative Travel on The Future of Post-Pandemic Travel
When going strawless won't cut it anymore.
Amanda Ho, co-founder of Regenerative Travel
The Covid-19 pandemic has forced us to reflect on many things. Among them, is how we travel. The United Nations called Covid-19 “an ‘unprecedented wake-up call’ for all inhabitants of Mother Earth”, bringing attention to the fact that we are not separate from the environment around us. As the discussion of travel bubbles begins to emerge (hello, Singapore), it’s time to ask ourselves what it means to travel responsibly. Many of us are familiar with sustainable travel, which aims to minimise or counterbalance the negative impacts of tourism on the environment and local communities. But what if we could do more than just enough? What if we could leave a place better than we found it?
This is when regenerative travel comes in. When offsetting carbon emissions and going plastic-free are just the tip of the iceberg, we ask Amanda Ho, co-founder of Regenerative Travel, an online booking platform for a curated selection of independently owned eco-luxury hotels dedicated to the highest levels of social and environmental impact, to share her insights on travelling a regenerative state-of-mind and what it means to our well-being.
Can you talk about the difference(s) between sustainable tourism and regenerative tourism?
Regenerative travel is the next step beyond sustainable travel. It is about leaving a place and its people better off. Regenerative tourism is the biggest and most necessary area of growth in our industry today. From a very simplistic standpoint, being green is about doing less damage. Sustainability is reaching net neutral, while regeneration is about making it better and replenishing harm that has been already done. Looking at the general state of green design and a majority of ‘green’ hospitality projects, most will address efficiency issues such as saving energy or recycling which is only doing “less bad.” Regeneration is about whole systems thinking which takes into account the history of a place in order to understand one’s role as a steward of the location and its people. Regenerative tourism recognizes that broad social equality is vital to protecting our environment for the next generation. There are hotels that are leading the way in regenerative tourism models such as Playa Viva, a Regenerative Resort, and Fogo Island Inn as well as destinations like New Zealand.
Do you foresee regenerative travel becoming more relevant post-pandemic?
The travel industry across the globe is still navigating a challenging period as most countries are still at the mercy of government-imposed travel restrictions. But amidst the uncertainty, we’ve seen a call for social justice and accountability for how we interact with our planet. In order to repair and replenish the ecosystems that we have destroyed and left in fragile positions, we must look to regenerative principles in order to reverse climate change and bring back the abundance of our natural world. We can do this through tourism as a vehicle for change. Regenerative tourism is the next chapter for the tourism industry and for travellers alike. Regeneration is a paradigm shift.
We are seeing that people are more aware of their own personal values and understanding how their daily choices to be more sustainable can have a ripple effect on the world we live in. With the increased amount of global natural disasters, weather phenomenons, floods in China and Japan, the fires in California and Australia earlier this year, the COVID-19 pandemic, and also the Black Lives Matter movement, the conscious consumer is now more conscious than ever and seeking to make sure they align their values with their vacation. It is evident by the significant increase in sustainable lifestyle brands coming to the forefront that consumers are beginning to see how to create a lifestyle shift by changing their buying habits.
What are the key qualities you look for in a potential resort partner?
The first and primary indicator we look for is to understand if the hotel owner is aligned with the ethos of regeneration. Everything else stems from there if the management is committed to the journey and process of constantly improving their property and the ecosystem in which it exists. The other key indicators we look for in all of our hotels include serving locally sourced food, resource management, environmental/social initiatives, immersive activities that open up the destination from a local’s perspective, and a 'sense of place' in its design. When aligned with the principles of regeneration, all of these factors enable the hotel to play a vital role in creating a holistic ecosystem that gives back to the land and community.
How can travellers be more mindful of the impacts they have on local communities and the environment?
Travellers should be more aware of the social and economic impact the pandemic has put upon many destinations and by selectively choosing which companies to support, they contribute to rebuilding the livelihoods that depend on tourism. It’s about being a conscious consumer and understanding the impact your tourism dollar makes on the destination you are traveling to. Travellers should seek to respect and learn from the people and the destination that they are travelling in addition to being mindful of the places they choose to stay, eat, what activities they do and what tour operators they choose to do them with.
In your opinion, why are people seeking more meaningful travel experiences?
The pandemic has impacted the lives of so many around the world by changing our daily lifestyles and forcing us to reanalyse what is essential and important to us. People will crave real connections and meaningful experiences to share with their loved ones. There will be a renewed focus on wellness travel as the pandemic has put immense pressure on people dealing with the crisis from both mental health and physical health perspective. Travellers coming from urban cities will seek out nature immersion after being in lockdown for months to reconnect with the Earth and themselves.
How does Regenerative Travel define well-being?
Well-being to us is about disconnecting to reconnect. We live in a world that is constantly changing and facing the threat of our lifetime, climate change, and now battling a global pandemic. It’s easy to get caught up in the hectic nature of our everyday lives and lose sight of what is important. We believe that well-being is being mindful and slowing down to get back in touch with your true-self and true-nature.
What can travellers expect when they choose to stay at a Regenerative Resort?
Travellers can expect a responsible environmental approach to its design and operations, honouring of people and place, thoughtful business operation, ethical treatment of people and animals, is inclusive, diverse and socially just, high quality and inclusive guest experience, and finally, is active in its communication of regenerative values. Guests will experience locally sourced food, authentic experiences, educational and immersive activities that open up the destination from a local’s perspective, and eco-luxury design that embodies the environment and destination it is located in.
Nay Palad Hideaway, Siargao, The Philippines
What are some of the best examples of regenerative tourism in Asia?
Nay Palad Hideaway, a Regenerative Resort has a connection to Siargao’s culture and ecosystem that influences everything they do including a marine conservation program, permaculture farm to source its own produce and a medical mission aims at improving the health of thousands of children on the island such as supporting local schools, like the Malinao Elementary School, just a few steps from the property.
Bawah Reserve, Indonesia
Bawah Reserve, a Regenerative Resort in Indonesia is a leading example of regenerative tourism. Bawah was accepted into the Signing Blue program by WWF-Indonesia to show its commitment to the marine protected area around the resort. They are equally as committed to the prosperity and sustainability of the people that live in the islands around the resort by providing resources education through the Bawah Anambas Foundation.
Tiger Mountain Lodge Pokhara, Nepal
Tiger Mountain Lodge Pokhara, a Regenerative Resort in Nepal also is an example of regeneration at work as it is deeply committed to supporting the local community and provides a range of support through its Community Support Partnership with a focus on education, environment, and health issues.
