Lapland University of Applied Sciences has established an international research group on regenerative tourism within the global ATLAS organisation, which comprises 148 higher education institutions from 45 countries.

The ATLAS (Association for Tourism and Leisure Research and Education) research group on regenerative tourism brings together researchers working on the theme worldwide. It acts as a platform for researchers to contribute to the academic debate on the topic and support governments and tourism industry in regenerative transformation. 

The international group on regenerative tourism implements a research programme whose key aims are to develop knowledge exchange and collaborative research and provide a community for academic collaboration through conferences, seminars, webinars and other information exchange activities. It also enables collaborative international funding opportunities and joint research projects as well as co-authored publications among members.

According to Principal Lecturer, PhD Sanna-Mari Renfors, the group’s activities not only strengthen Lapland University of Applied Sciences’ role as a pioneer in regenerative tourism but also increase its visibility and recognition in international contexts.

– At the same time, we are able to build new partnerships that support the university’s applied research,” Renfors clarifies.

From sustainable tourism to regenerative tourism

Regenerative tourism seeks to improve the regenerative capacity and the social and ecological wellbeing of places and communities. It creates opportunities for a social-ecological system to thrive and improves the health of the planet, communities and individuals at the local level.

Renfors notes that regenerative tourism is an emerging research theme globally, as sustainable tourism is no longer sufficient to address growing ecological and social challenges caused by climate change and overtourism. Increasingly, tourism researchers are turning their attention to the principles of regenerative development and systems thinking, which provide holistic solutions for shaping the future of tourism.

– For ATLAS, the regenerative tourism research group offers an opportunity to respond to this need and act as a forerunner in this shift in mindset.”

Further information

ATLAS Special Interest Group on Regenerative Tourism: https://atlas-euro.org/groups/special-interest-groups-2/sig-regenerative-tourism/