What could a new model of regenerative tourism look like?

Regenerative Vanua is a Pacific non-profit organisation that is pioneering the way in a model of tourism that supports resilient and self-determined communities while providing enriching and meaningful experiences. 

Regenerative Vanua, in collaboration with Damon Gameau from Regen Studios, have produced a beautiful representation of Vanuas in the remote islands of Vanuatu that are sharing their commitment to Regenerative Indigenous Knowledge Systems and sharing this knowledge through regenerative tourism. 

By marketing Vanuas as destinations to global consumers, the industrial model of tourism has impacted the accessibility that many Indigenous peoples have to their Vanua – to their own land, food systems and culture. Regenerative Vanua have developed the Regenerative Vanua Stewardship Framework through Critical Participator Action Research (supported by the Australian Centre for Interational Agriculture Reseach) which proposes a model of ‘Regenerative Intercultural Hosting’ based on self-determined and governed Stewardship of Vanua. This framework enables Indigenous peoples to maintain deep connection to and stewardship of their Vanuas, and to share this connection with visitors through regenerative transformational experiences.

Regenerative Vanua are now collaborating with Native Nations to facilitate Indigenous Youth Exchanges for participating Vanuas that are committed to the Regenerative Vanua Stewardship Framework.  These exchanges offer a chance for Indigenous youth from remote communities to reconnect with their cultural heritage, learn new skills, and experience a powerful cultural exchange that will undoubtedly change their lives, shift their perception of this world, and shape them into future leaders within their communities back home. This year's exchange between Maroi, Australian Aboriginal and Indigenous Ni Vanuatu youth will not only promote cultural pride, resilience, and empowerment, but also drive the development of regenerative Indigenous agritourism tourism trails in the Pacific as part of Regenerative Vanuas Journeys.

Vanua is a holistic term for place used in Pacific countries and refers to the relationship between custodians of the land and the land itself, to the energetic aspect of this relationship which creates a sense of belonging to place.