Ten commitments for tourism that creates lasting value.

The Global Manifesto is the public commitment framework of World Regenerative Tourism Day: one shared definition, ten commitments and an annual action commitment for every 23 May.

Aerial view of hillside lodges and terraced gardens on a green ridge, with the snow-capped Himalaya on the horizon

Preamble

Tourism is a powerful force. It must give back more than it takes.

Tourism is one of the world’s most powerful forces for exchange, prosperity and human connection. It can protect living heritage, restore ecosystems, sustain rural livelihoods, strengthen local enterprise and create profound experiences of belonging.

Yet tourism can also extract more value than it returns, standardise cultures, place pressure on water and land, displace communities and reduce nature to scenery.

Sustainability asks tourism to reduce its negative footprint. Regeneration asks a more demanding question: what becomes stronger because tourism is here?

Our shared definition

“Regenerative tourism is a place-based model of tourism that goes beyond reducing harm to intentionally strengthen the ecological, cultural, social and economic systems that sustain a destination, while creating meaningful experiences and enduring value for visitors, host communities and future generations.”

The ten global commitments

Ten commitments. One shared direction.

I · Foundations

  1. 01

    Place before product

    We will begin with the identity, limits, needs and potential of each place. We will resist standardised solutions that disconnect hospitality from landscape, culture and community.

  2. 02

    Community consent and agency

    We will involve local and Indigenous communities meaningfully in the decisions that affect them. We will support fair benefit-sharing, dignified work, local leadership and mechanisms through which communities can shape tourism’s future.

  3. 03

    Do no harm first

    We will avoid and address harm before claiming benefit. No regenerative claim should conceal social, ecological, cultural or animal-welfare harm elsewhere.

II · Domains of regeneration

  1. 04

    Living ecosystems and climate resilience

    We will move beyond conservation alone and contribute, where context allows, to the recovery of biodiversity, soil, forests, water systems, coasts, habitats and climate resilience. We will avoid claims of restoration that cannot be evidenced.

  2. 05

    Living cultures and heritage

    We will support languages, knowledge, traditions, craftsmanship, architecture, gastronomy and cultural practices as living systems. We will reject extractive storytelling, stereotyping and the commercialisation of culture without consent or fair value.

  3. 06

    Shared local prosperity

    We will increase the value retained in the destination through local procurement, employment, entrepreneurship, ownership, skills development and reinvestment. We will seek to reduce economic leakage and dependency.

  4. 07

    Regenerative food systems

    We will strengthen relationships with farmers, fishers, growers, producers and food traditions. We will support soil health, biodiversity, seasonal sourcing, reduced waste, fair purchasing and visitor experiences that respect agricultural life and knowledge.

  5. 08

    Animal welfare and coexistence

    We will reject tourism activities that exploit, distress or commodify animals. We will support habitat protection, science-based welfare, responsible wildlife observation and coexistence between people, tourism and other species.

III · Relationships and integrity

  1. 09

    Guest reciprocity and transformation

    We will design experiences that deepen understanding, wellbeing, humility and connection. The guest will not be treated only as a consumer, but as a participant capable of contributing responsibly to the place.

  2. 10

    Evidence, transparency and legacy

    We will distinguish aspiration from evidence, use context-sensitive indicators, disclose limitations and avoid greenwashing and regeneration-washing. We will evaluate success beyond occupancy and short-term revenue, asking whether tourism leaves healthier ecosystems, stronger communities, more resilient cultures and greater opportunity for those who come after us.

Wording adapted for the web from the Global Manifesto. The DOI-registered text (Version 2.0) is the authoritative version.

Principles for credible participation

Seven tests every action should pass.

They distinguish a meaningful contribution from a symbolic gesture — and protect every participant from regeneration-washing.

Additionality
The action should create value beyond business as usual or routine compliance.
Relevance
The action should respond to the needs and priorities of the specific place.
Participation
Affected communities and stakeholders should be involved appropriately.
Evidence
The organisation should retain proof of the action, its outputs and, where possible, its outcomes.
Do no harm
No regenerative claim should conceal social, ecological, cultural or animal-welfare harm elsewhere.
Transparency
Organisations should disclose limitations, trade-offs and incomplete results.
Continuity
Regeneration should be embedded in long-term management, not limited to a single commemorative day.

A framework for action, accountability and shared ambition.

What the initiative is

  • A shared definition of regenerative tourism
  • Ten public commitments for action
  • An annual day of documented action, every 23 May
  • A free, open founding community

What it is not

  • A certification, accreditation or verification
  • A legal regulation or standard
  • A substitute for local governance
  • An official United Nations observance

The founding call

We call on tourism to move from minimizing damage to creating measurable positive legacy.

We call on hospitality to contribute to the development of communities and destinations.

We call on every traveller, hotel, destination and institution to ask: what becomes stronger because we are here?

Sign the Global Manifesto

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Texts licensed CC BY-ND 4.0. The names, logos and identity of World Regenerative Tourism Day are not licensed and remain the property of Regenera Luxury LLC. English is the authoritative language.

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