Regenerative travel: reinventing and rethinking the way we discover
Regenerative travel: reinventing and rethinking the way we discover
Photos by Rolands Varsbergs, James Donaldson, Chris Charles, Andres Medina, David Torres, David Troeger & Andrés Medina.
The sunrise in 2022 is already bringing many changes and new perspectives into our lives. Traveling, as a part of the latter, is no exception. If we have learnt well from all things passed, each should surely be now more active than ever about bringing positivity to others and what surrounds us. Being more kind, aware and responsible on how we walk along the path.
The will to becoming more protective, which could be the essence in concepts like “eco tourism” or “sustainable travel”, now takes one more step forward into regeneration. Immersive experiences that create a positive impact on both communities and ecosystems are growingly available, and this means that traveling responsibly and culturally-aware is -by default- currently paired up with this spirit.
This means that now it is time not only to avoid leaving a footprint behind, but moreover, about favoring and giving back. Upon reinventing so many aspects of our lives, we have an opportunity not to focus on the loss but rather taking part in the paradigm shift towards a more conscious way of traveling. This is the meaning and purpose of advancing from sustainability to regeneration.
Destinations join in with regenerative travel
In this sense, for example, a visit to the Galapagos Islands is incomplete if the sighting of the Galapagos tortoise and other local fauna is not paired up with aiding in the protection and propitiation of said and other native species. As one of Naya´s go-to´s in the destination, Ecoventura’s cruise journeys distinguish themselves both with their state-of-the-art luxury, low-consumption yachts and knowledgeable naturalist guides. Evolve, the brand new vessel in its Relais & Chateaux fleet, also features an advanced water treatment plan that prevents untreated greywater and blackwater from being disposed of into the ocean.
Resonate with Costa Rica
Another destination in the Americas ́ that has consistently been aligned with sustainability and regeneration is Costa Rica. The Central American country stays true to its motto “pura vida” (which may translate into “full of life”) with a commitment to the protection and regeneration of the environment as a way of life. Locals and visitors greet each other using this expression, which embraces a lot of meaning. This year, Costa Rica launched the ‘Pura Vida Pledge’, a promise to educate visitors about the meaning of responsible tourism and the actions that they, as travelers to the destination, can do to make a true difference to the local communities.
Nayara’s Tented Camp sits within the Arenal Volcano National Park, and is inspired by the luxury canvas lodges of Africa and Asia. The indoor/outdoor design of the Camp blends contemporary, barefoot-luxe touches and unique-to-location design. The suites have been designed in traditional African safari style tents fused with a Costa Rican sense of place. Over at the North-Pacific coast, at Papagayo Peninsula, resident healer Yamuna at Kasiiya Papagayo, leads the wellness program in the spa, an enchanting traditional structure set away from the hotel. His restorative treatments combine Reiki, chakra and energy-flow work alongside traditional massage therapy using volcanic stones, mud, and essential oils.
Many travel experts nowadays are starting to offer travelers the alternative to dive deep into regenerative options where all sides can come out empowered and benefitted. Our part as travelers is committing to start thinking deeper about where to go and what type of trip to plan. Not only removing stress from destinations, but also helping local communities and developers grow, with the common objective of protecting environments and cultures for years and generations to come.
