Regenerative tourism in Aotearoa New Zealand – A new paradigm for the VUCA world

Josie Major,Debbie Clarke

doi:10.1108/jtf-09-2021-0233

Abstract

PurposeThe paper provides a summary of the findings from GOOD Awaits – The Regenerative Tourism New Zealand (NZ) Podcast and envisions a regenerative future for tourism in Aotearoa.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on the findings from the GOOD Awaits Podcast, a series of interviews with pioneers and practitioners of regenerative tourism. The podcast was created as a platform for the collective discovery of a new way forward for tourism in the wake of COVID-19, and the series provides a detailed summary of the regenerative tourism movement in NZ.FindingsThrough these interviews, a vision for a regenerative visitor economy in Aotearoa emerged. This new model is rooted in indigenous knowledge and living systems theory. It is a paradigm shift that allows us to see tourism as a living ecosystem and requires innovative economic models, such as social entrepreneurship, systems level changes to the way tourism operates and is governed, local tourism solutions with community thriving as the primary aim and much more collaboration both within tourism and across sectors.Originality/valueRegenerative tourism is an emerging model and one that is rapidly gaining traction in NZ and globally. The GOOD Awaits podcast is a unique, thoughtful and practical demonstration of what this model could look like in Aotearoa. It demonstrates the potential and feasibility of regenerative tourism practice, and the response has shown the desire for these conversations at a national and international scale. This paper is an accessible summary of the podcast's first season and has value for anyone interested in the regenerative tourism movement in Aotearoa.

Highlights

The paper provides a summary of the findings from GOOD Awaits – The Regenerative Tourism New Zealand (NZ) Podcast and envisions a regenerative future for tourism in Aotearoa
As conflict continues to shape much of the world, increasingly dire reports of the climate crisis emerge and COVID-19 persists, we must adapt in the fast changing context of what has been termed the “VUCA” world
VUCA is an acronym for volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity, Josie Major is based at the GOOD Travel, Wellington, New Zealand

Summary

Introduction

The paper provides a summary of the findings from GOOD Awaits – The Regenerative Tourism New Zealand (NZ) Podcast and envisions a regenerative future for tourism in Aotearoa. A new paradigm is needed, and a regenerative tourism model based in indigenous wisdom and living systems theory is the greatest hope tourism has for navigating the uncertain future and contributing to thriving communities. In our interview with Nadine ToeToe, owner-operator of Kohutapu Lodge, she spoke to the parallels between long-held Te Ao Maori (The Maori world view) principles and those of regeneration: We never knew what we were doing was regenerative tourism.

Results

Conclusion