What comes after the age of mass tourism? If you love the travel industry or the place where you live and want to make it better, this show is for you. The Travel Beyond podcast brings you the people and places taking action toward a sustainable, just, and thriving future for all. The solutions are in sight. We partner with leading destinations working toward an industry that respects the needs of residents, visitors, and the environment – a regenerative future where all people can flourish. You’ll learn how other places are dealing with climate risks and environmental preservation by hearing from like-minded thinkers who have been moving toward regenerative travel for their whole careers.  Our past guests include: Cathy Ritter, formerly the CEO of the Colorado Tourism Office.Marsha Walden, Destination Canada’s CEOMat Woods and Tim Barke, CEOs of the Aoeteroa New Zealand destination management organizations behind Carbon Zero by 2030. Hedwig Sietsma, Director of Climate Policy at KLMDamcho Rinzin from the Tourism Council of Bhutan.Strategists and tourism leaders from the Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions and from Amsterdam & Partners. Listen to stories of a better world, and return home inspired. For timely stories and insights for tourism destinations, subscribe to Destination Think's weekly newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
CopenPay is back in the Danish capital this summer, and this year's program looks to make an even bigger impact on the environment and visitors. How? By rewarding behaviour like train travel and longer stays.In this episode of Travel Beyond, we talk with Rikke Holm Petersen from Wonderful Copenhagen about what's coming up and how this pilot project became a global conversation. Find out how to participate at www.copenpay.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Port Aransas, Texas, is a small beach town with big ideas about sustainable tourism and community care. In this episode, Brett Stawar explains how tourism operators and visitors are funding annual stipends for teachers and providing students with scholarships. They're also pitching in with environmental care. From sea turtles to sand sculptures, learn how this Gulf Coast destination is putting people and place first. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
When wildfire threatens everything, how does a tourism destination respond? Mammoth Lakes Tourism is supporting one of the boldest regional fire prevention efforts in the U.S. — a project that is now funded with visitor dollars. In this episode, President & CEO John Urdi shares how the community is investing in fire resilience, reframing visitor education, and inviting travellers to become stewards of the land. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Madison, Wisconsin is charting a bold path where inclusion and sustainability shape everyday life. In this episode, Ellie Westman Chin shares how women-led leadership, DEAI values, and climate resilience are deeply embedded in the city's culture. From painted Pride flags to electric buses, discover how Madison is building a destination that truly welcomes everyone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What if every visit made the world a better place? By protecting the kiwi and inviting visitors to plant native trees, Destination Hauraki Coromandel is shaping a tourism ecosystem where every trip gives back. This episode of Travel Beyond explores how a small region is leaving a big legacy, one handprint at a time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Travel Marquette is leading a community-wide effort to protect the region's natural beauty and culture. CEO Susan Estler shares how the Respect Marquette County coalition, slow travel, and education initiatives like the Bark Ranger program are helping visitors and locals build a more sustainable future together. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The challenge isn't the number of people, it's the number of cars.” In Banff National Park, new transit options are helping visitors slow down and enjoy the mountains without worrying about traffic. Christie Pashby from Banff & Lake Louise Tourism explains how an ongoing transportation campaign encourages shifting into “Park Mode” to help protect this one-of-a-kind Canadian destination and the experiences it provides. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Like a souvenir that takes up no room in your suitcase, learning has always fit perfectly with travel experiences. Two Copenhagen entrepreneurs share how they're helping to ensure travellers are going home with a better understanding of how to advocate for change in their communities and take small steps to make better choices in their personal lives. This episode was originally aired in spring 2024. We're re-sharing it today as a real-life example of the CopenPay concept in action. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From bike riding to urban gardening, Copenhagen's 2024 pilot project, CopenPay, rewarded visitors for their sustainable actions. Learn how the city is turning travellers' green intentions into action, inspiring the world along the way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Where do your vacation dollars go after they're spent? In Bend, Oregon, the answer might surprise you. In this episode of Travel Beyond, Nate Wyeth of Visit Bend shares how lodging tax revenue collected from accommodations helps make the city a better place. By funding essential services, local culture, and exciting sustainability projects, Bend is proving that tourism can be a powerful force for community good. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jimmy Lulua is a past Elected Chief of Xeni Gwet'in First Nation. Today, he's helping tourism businesses understand how to develop long-term relationships with First Nations based on trust. He shares how Bella Coola Heli Sports' commitment to Indigenous partnerships, environmental stewardship, and sustainable tourism is setting a new standard for the industry, blending adventure with respect for land and culture. He also discusses the evolving role of tourism operators in creating sustainable, off-the-beaten-path experiences that benefit both the local community and the environment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tourism businesses often spark positive change. Beat Steiner, owner of Bella Coola Heli Sports, shares insights on balancing community, climate, and conservation responsibilities, pioneering climate-positive practices, and inspiring industry-wide sustainability through innovation and collaboration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Storytelling is a powerful catalyst for reconciliation, with historic sites worldwide increasingly recognizing their role in sharing untold stories that promote understanding and healing. At Barkerville, a living history museum in British Columbia, Indigenous perspectives are now beginning to be fully integrated into its narrative. In this episode, Stewart Cawood, Manager of Public Programming and Media, shares insights into expanding the town's story and the challenges of confronting colonial history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tourism operator Shannon Lansdowne is carrying on her family's legacy at Bella Coola Grizzly Tours, a business her father transformed from a grizzly hunting operation into an ecotourism venture. This shift has made the business into a model for aligning tourism with environmental stewardship. Shannon's story highlights how adapting to shifts in traveller demand and prioritizing legacy can help tourism operators build resilient, future-focused businesses. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Can both residents and tourists change their travel habits in favour of EVs? In this episode, entrepreneur Gordon Taylor, member of Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ (Ucluelet First Nation), shares how T?iick?in (Thunderbird) Ebike Rentals is advocating for positive change. His business strives toward a future of renewable energy, reduced emissions, and care for local lands and resources – all while giving visitors incredible Tofino-area experiences. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
An Indigenous fishery is bringing new opportunities to First Nations on Vancouver Island and to Tofino entrepreneurs like Stevie Dennis. As a kelp rancher, fisherman, and Founder & Owner of NAAS Foods, Stevie shares his journey into business on the ocean. He brings a heartfelt and hopeful perspective on how his work can be a positive model for others as the Tofino area adapts to the ever-changing tourism industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
“I think we can look side to side and find so much solidarity with people who are working in any given region towards a future that is more equitable or more just and say, how do we connect?” Sully Rogalski is the co-founder of the Coastal Queen Alliance in Tofino, which has brought the queer community together in new and exciting ways. Here, they discuss the organization's mission, the ties between queerness and environmentalism, and the power of collective action. It's an essential conversation for community and businesses leaders looking to use their influence to support marginalized voices and create a more equitable future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How can independent businesses best educate and connect with visitors? In this episode, Maureen Fraser, Owner of the Common Loaf Bake Shop, draws from her five decades of experience to talk about her early support of the area's Tribal Parks, the role of businesses in environmental and cultural advocacy, and the power of food to connect people around shared values. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How can tourism create Indigenous spaces that foster growth, opportunity, and meaningful representation? In this episode, Maria Clark, Assistant General Manager at Tin Wis Resort and Board Director for Indigenous Tourism BC, discusses the value of mentorship, the importance of Indigenous leadership, and the responsibility of tourism to educate and uplift communities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
“It really comes back to ?iisaak. It comes back to respect.” To create a more balanced and inclusive future for tourism, it's essential to understand and honour Indigenous culture and history. In this episode, Timmy Masso and Hjalmer Wenstob explore the deep connections between language, art, and land, sharing their vision for respectful tourism, the power of education, and the role of storytelling in preserving and celebrating Indigenous heritage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this episode of Travel Beyond, sustainability leader Auden Schendler shares a bold vision for tackling the climate crisis, revealing how the tourism industry can use its influence to drive systemic change, inspire global action, and transform token efforts into scalable, impactful solutions.For more resources, see the show notes on our website at destinationthink.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Travel's full impact on society – both positive and negative – is not often fully understood or discussed. But that's starting to change. Today's leading destinations are charting a future with strategies that help places navigate complexity and make sure communities and the environment benefit. This episode is a condensed version of a live webinar presented by Destination Think. Rikke Holm Petersen from Wonderful Copenhagen showed us how their DMO's new “Copenhagen, All Inclusive” strategy is the city's compass toward a better world. We also learned from Leslie Bruce from Banff & Lake Louise Tourism, who moderated a panel discussion with destination leaders who are pushing for positive change: Susan Estler, CEO from Travel Marquette and Ellen Walker-Matthews from Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA). For more resources, see the show notes on our website at destinationthink.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In a world where the old playbooks no longer work, biologist and environmental professional Veronica Woodruff explores how adaptability, collaboration, and community action can reshape leadership, tackle complex challenges, and inspire meaningful change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In 2019, a living history museum in Barkerville, British Columbia began incorporating First Nations perspectives into its storytelling, largely due to the efforts of Cheryl Chapman (Sunrise When the Salmon Come) from the Xatśūll First Nation, who spent 26 years advocating for the shift. In this episode, Cheryl speaks with us about the powerful role storytelling and tourism can play in reconciliation and gives destinations tips for how to better engage with Indigenous neighbours. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
When highways wash out, tourism stops—highlighting the deep connection between travel and the environment. In this episode, biologist and environmental professional Veronica Woodruff explores how cross-sector collaboration can strengthen tourism's resilience against extreme weather while supporting environmental restoration in the face of climate change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Leonard Ellis knows more than most tourism operators what it means to pivot a business. Over his 50-year career, and as the owner of Bella Coola Grizzly Tours, he has transitioned from hunting big game to viewing them instead. But his motivation to bring balance to nature through guided tours is unchanged. Leonard has worked to re-introduce grizzly bears to an area where prior hunting outfitters had driven them out, and he says today's trips are a lower-impact operation. But how do we know tourism's best role in conservation? Are we sometimes harming when we think we're helping? This conversation brings up hard questions and gives us a fascinating glimpse into what it means to roll with the changes in a tourism life on the land. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
She's a CEO by day and a farmer by night, but in both roles, Amy Thacker is working to help people connect with the lands where they live and visit. Amy leads the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association to support the tourism industry in inviting visitors to see this vast, diverse region for themselves – and experience the positive culture shock of living off the grid. In this conversation, she shares why tourism and agriculture work so well together for her and debunks some common misconceptions some visitors have before they arrive, offering insight into educating visitors as a destination. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Chris Harris, a renowned photographer and adventurer, shares his deep connection to British Columbia's Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region and his efforts to document the Chilcotin Ark, one of the most biodiverse wilderness areas in the temperate world. He explores how the Ark's unique geography positions it as a potential refuge for life in the face of climate change, and how tourism can be a powerful tool to educate, inspire connection, and promote conservation and sustainability in this extraordinary landscape. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How can the private sector work for public good? Rod Drury is a serial entrepreneur and Founder of Xero, a successful tech company based in Aotearoa New Zealand. Since stepping back from his roles as CEO and Director, Rod has been involved in some of the most exciting innovations taking place in Queenstown related to electrification – areas like energy production, public transport, and marine technology. In this fireside chat with Destination Think CEO Rodney Payne, he shares what he has learned from those projects and advice for other business leaders looking to make an impact where it matters.Learn about the latest innovations for tourism, travel and communities around the world at:https://innovate.destinationthink.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How can travel contribute to creating more equitable communities? Ben Lyman, Head of Communications at the Travel Foundation and Bernadette Papp, Senior Researcher at the European Tourism Futures Institute discuss new research on equity in tourism. Developed by a consortium of researchers and sponsoring organizations including Destination Think, they share case studies and strategies for travel industry leaders and how destinations are evolving to integrate tourism as a catalyst for local equity solutions.Learn about the latest innovations for tourism, travel and communities around the world at:https://innovate.destinationthink.com/eventYou can access the Creating Equitable Destinations report after it is released at: https://www.thetravelfoundation.org.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What can travel businesses do to make a substantial impact in their climate actions? Shannon Guihan, Chief Sustainability Officer at The Travel Corporation, discusses moving beyond carbon offsetting to achieve genuine decarbonization. As the parent company of many tourism brands including Trafalgar and Contiki, The Travel Corporation has committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions. In this session, Shannon describes the company's innovative Carbon Fund and explains how other businesses can adapt similar strategies to make meaningful progress. She also provides tips for presenting these changes to the C-suite and emphasizes why the travel industry needs a stronger voice in sustainability discussions.Learn about the latest innovations for tourism, travel and communities around the world at: https://innovate.destinationthink.com/event Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Launched on World Tourism Day, 100 Travel Innovations is a collaborative effort among destinations worldwide to spotlight existing solutions to our most pressing challenges in tourism. By bringing together insights from 35 countries and six continents, this initiative demonstrates that solutions for critical issues like climate resilience, biodiversity, and cultural preservation already exist. With a focus on real-world examples, 100 Travel Innovations aims to inspire travellers and industry stakeholders alike to embrace these proven strategies and accelerate positive change in the travel sector. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Travel has the capacity to create positive change, and in many places around the world, it's already happening. The team at Destination Think has been researching the travel industry's greatest innovations to some of the world's biggest challenges, uncovering countless ways tourism leaders are stepping up and making an impact. In this episode, get a behind-the-scenes look at our upcoming event, 24 Hours of Travel Innovation, and hear how global changemakers are driving the systemic transformation needed for a better future. Find out more at: https://innovate.destinationthink.com/event Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
If it was your job to invite the world to visit one of Canada's most famous travel destinations while also working fiercely alongside the tourism industry and community to protect its incredible environment, how would you do it? You'd need to find alignment on what matters most.Leslie Bruce and her team at Banff & Lake Louise Tourism collaborated with the Town of Banff, Parks Canada, and more than 2,000 local residents to create a vision for tourism that remains in harmony with the needs of both the community and the environment.In this episode, Leslie Bruce shares how Banff National Park is innovating and adapting to preserve its incredible environment and visitor experiences. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
“When we travel, we pause.” Callandra Caufield knows travel can be transformative. She also knows it can transform communities for better and for worse. As Executive Director at Explore Cochrane, she's working with residents to bring tourism's greatest benefits to town while creating visitor experiences that match local values. In this episode, she reflects on her role in shaping a tourism economy that works for Cochrane and preserves its natural surroundings. She describes the distinct advantages the town has as an emerging destination and what it takes to put the community first in tourism planning. Hint: It all begins with taking a moment to pause and listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
For hockey fans, the Zamboni has long been a fixture at arenas for treating ice surfaces before games and in between periods. And for just as long, these vehicles have needed fuel to get around. But the City of Vernon in British Columbia has begun electrifying its Zamboni fleet alongside other city vehicles. In this episode, we talk with Torrie Silverthorn, Tourism Manager at Tourism Vernon and Jonny Rockall, Zamboni driver and e-bike entrepreneur, about the benefits of electrification in this growing sports tourism destination. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today, we turn toward travel's role in supporting carbon removal. For Tito Jankowski of AirMiners, travel doesn't have a future without this climate solution. Today's airline CEOs and industry leaders have the chance to invest in carbon removal early. And wouldn't it be nice to know that the offsets you buy from an airline are actually working? All this and more in today's episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Is carbon removal about to take off? What is its potential for large-scale impact as a climate solution? As the Co-Founder and CEO of AirMiners, Tito Jankowski is leading a global community of over 2000 scientists, entrepreneurs, engineers, policymakers, and others dedicated to reversing climate change. In part 1 of this episode, he shares why carbon removal is so important, why it's an industry on the brink of massive growth, and how travel organizations can support the transition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Under what circumstances would change be possible? Questions like these fuel the work of Paul Cubbon, whose leadership at the University of British Columbia's Creative Destruction Lab enables early-stage businesses to scale their innovations and impact in a variety of interrelated fields affecting the health of humanity, the planet, and economies. Paul has a view of some of the world's most exciting technological innovations, and he shares what drives his conviction that rapid, scalable improvements are possible as people seek to build a better world. He offers suggestions for changemakers seeking to remove common barriers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dr. Susanne Becken has been studying sustainable tourism for more than 20 years and is an experienced science communicator. As a researcher and Professor of Sustainable Tourism at Griffith University, she brings a clear perspective about the future of the travel industry in light of current climate forecasts, and what we might need to do next. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Let's reflect on why we care about using travel to make the world a better place. It's something Ewout, a strategist with the Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions (and a new father), has been thinking about a lot. In 2023, we sat down with him to learn about his perspective on the current state of tourism and how that has impacted NBTC's new vision going forward. In this updated episode, we also check in with Ewout on the latest from NBTC, including this new report on the climate impact of international travellers to The Netherlands, which measures the “eco-efficiency” of each visiting nation's travellers.https://www.nbtc.nl/nl/site/actueel/de-co2-impact-van-internationaal-bezoek-aan-nederland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
People are going to explore, and it matters how they do it. Bend's Wanderlust Tours guides visiting explorers is a way that preserves the lands and waters everyone relies on. Co-owner Jared Garfield shares several solutions related to visitor education and advice for tourism businesses seeking to make a positive community impact. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
“All we're doing is building relationships.” Pine Mountain Sports is a solar-powered bike shop with a commitment to making Bend a better place to live. Owner Dan McGarigle talks about the impact his business makes as a community resource, and how Bend influences visitors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Around 50% of Bend's visitors arrive by travelling through the nearby Warm Springs Reservation. Local artist and radio producer Marge Kalama discusses how tourism impacts Warm Springs, emphasizing the importance of care for the land, the continuation of her community's cultural practices, and the opportunities for collaboration with organizations in the Bend area. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What began as one lawyer's mission to save a forest is now Central Oregon LandWatch, an NGO overseeing rural and urban planning related to lands, waters, and issues like affordable housing. Executive Director Ben Gordon outlines the challenges ahead for this region and explains why more holistic community planning will make Bend a more attractive place to live and visit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How do locals really feel about tourism? Todd Montgomery is answering that question through the Oregon State University Sustainable Tourism Lab, which has studied resident sentiment in more than 100 destinations. Todd shares some of his findings and why research like his is valuable to DMOs working toward better stewardship. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
During her time as Visit Bend's first Sustainability Director, Serena Gordon worked to help locals reap the rewards of their hometown's popularity through programs like the Bend Sustainability Fund. She shares advice for other destination leaders working for change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Undersea pyramids and above-ground mangrove forests are the topics of discussion today as we visit the Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development in Grenada. Phil Saye started the Grenada Artificial Reef Project in 2013 to encourage coral growth using simple techniques. It's a successful experiment that can be replicated elsewhere, Phil says, and he shares not only why the project is so important to the ecosystem, but how the project is set up to leave a legacy that will outlast this generation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Which conversations are we avoiding in the travel industry? Destination managers and travel industry leaders are under increasing public pressure to follow up their sustainable words with action, says today's guest, Signe Jungersted. Signe worked on The End of Tourism As We Know It strategy as Director of Development at Wonderful Copenhagen. She continues to lead destinations and communities through change at Group NAO, where she is CEO and Founding Partner. This episode, she explains why the tourism industry needs to take itself seriously as a solution to the climate crisis and why the best pathway forward for DMOs is to step into a more expansive role. Plus, we share a few new examples of climate resilience projects happening in tourism destinations.This episode originally aired in January 2024. Read the blog at: https://destinationthink.com/blog/whats-taboo-conversations-the-travel-industry-isnt-having-yet/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The director of the Danish Architecture Center highlights the center's role as a catalyst for promoting sustainable urban development. We explore how inclusive approaches to urban planning are vital in shaping Copenhagen's future and tourism's positive impact in spreading knowledge beyond the city. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Like a souvenir that takes up no room in your suitcase, learning has always fit perfectly with travel. And some entrepreneurs in Copenhagen have taken it upon themselves to ensure travellers are going home with a better understanding of how to advocate for change in their communities and take small steps to make better choices in their personal lives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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