Tourism development has transcended generations and changed over time. These changes started mainly by chance, resulting in significant economic gains. As these gains continued, the drive for more financial benefits often inadvertently caused the erosion of many social and environmental community assets. Many started moving towards a more sustainable approach to tourism development to address the negative consequence of tourism. While sustainable tourism significantly minimized negative impacts, it created winners and losers in the tourism development process. In addition, sustainable efforts often lead to stagnation.

Adaptability was discouraged, resentment among residents was common, and ultimately undermined the long-term viability of sustainable tourism models. By prioritizing the restoration of ecosystems, the revitalization of cultural practices, and the empowerment of the local community, regenerative tourism goes beyond sustainability to actively reinvigorate and enrich the destinations. Regenerative tourism development has the adaptive ability to restore, reinvigorate and empower the local community and its stakeholders by preserving and enhancing its heritage, culture, economic resources, and natural environment. This seminar will address the evolution of tourism development and discuss regenerative tourism as an alternative model of destination development.