Article by Meghan Taylor

Even before settlement, Muskoka was a gathering place. Indigenous peoples travelled to Muskoka to hunt, fish and trade, living with the environment while they were in it and leaving the landscape as it was when they arrived. 

Much of Muskoka throughout history has been built on traditional tourism. Discovering new landscapes and exploring unknown destinations are hallmarks of traditional tourism. Clear-cutting timber to build, hunting wild animals to near extinction and building roads through important wetlands were all normal practices at the time but now seem barbaric and unjustified. Our discovery and exploration methods have adapted and continue to evolve.

Generally, traditional tourism is transactional and singular. It stands alone. Regenerative tourism is rooted in every aspect of a community. It requires collaboration across the board as it connects with nature, society, culture and economy. Regenerative tourism expands on the concepts of traditional tourism and sustainable tourism.

Sustainable tourism looks to increase the benefits and to reduce the negative impacts caused by tourism. It is defined as “tourism that fully considers its current and future economic, social, and environmental impacts, while addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment, and host communities,” according to the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

Regenerative tourism is about more than just conservation. The primary objective of this tourism is to encourage visitors to positively impact a destination. The impact may vary by location but can include supporting environmental revitalization or helping to build or repair habitat for wildlife.

According to the GSTC, “Regenerative tourism is often described as a practice that seeks to leave destinations in a better state than they were found. It draws inspiration from regenerative agriculture, which emphasizes restoring ecosystems and enhancing biodiversity.”

The GSTC “has long emphasized that sustainable tourism also focuses on increasing positive impacts alongside reducing negative ones.”

Sustainability and regeneration are interconnected, and they should be. Regenerating spaces has little impact if planning for sustainable long-term use is not also discussed and overseen. However, many use the terms interchangeably, and regenerative and sustainable tourism are not the same.

Key differences are in the purpose and the approach to each type. In sustainable tourism, the purpose is to lessen environmental and social impacts of tourism while seeking economic growth. Regenerative tourism supports the evolution, renewal and restoration of communities and ecosystems.

In its execution, sustainable tourism looks to lessen the impact of activities on communities and ecosystems. In comparison, regenerative tourism focuses on achieving harmony and alignment for ecological, economic, cultural spiritual and social development.

Regenerative tourism requires collaboration among associations, businesses, government and providers. It begins with sustainability and continues to evolve. Local organizations like Explorers’ Edge (RTO12) and Muskoka Tourism are at the forefront of supporting businesses and individuals through this shift in actions and mindset.

Explorers’ Edge has developed their 2025-2026 Business and Operational Plan with regenerative practices built in. On their website, the current plan “continues work established in the Regenerative Tourism Strategy that positioned EE as a destination development organization within the Canadian tourism industry.”

The Regenerative Tourism Strategy developed as part of Explorers’ Edge’s 2021-2022 business plan, provided eight key principles that they have enacted since then. The strategy continues to evolve as conditions change.

Muskoka Tourism’s role in regenerative tourism is outward facing, connecting with consumers.

“Our role is different from Explorers' Edge as our focus is solely on creating marketing excitement that inspires visitors to choose Muskoka,” explains Val Hamilton, executive director of Muskoka Tourism. “And they have different pillars to support tourism for a bigger region.”

Over the last two summers, Muskoka Tourism has successfully run a “Go Lightly” marketing campaign that seeks to motivate visitors to safeguard the natural elements of Muskoka while they visit the region.

“The campaign highlights farm-to-table dining, farmers' markets, and sustainable tourism operators, promoting responsible travel choices that support the local community and environment,” says Hamilton.

In many ways, regenerative tourism is the next evolution of sustainable tourism. It adds layers to the existing foundations of tourism. Regenerative tourism recognizes that the host community is the primary broker of tourism. The community members are the stewards of the local environment, enabling them to flourish together.

“We’re committed to developing new eco-friendly tourism initiatives that highlight Muskoka’s natural beauty,” shares Hamilton. “Muskoka: Home of the Stars invites visitors to reconnect with the night sky, while our new spring initiative, Birding in Muskoka: Nature Takes Flight, encourages exploration of local wildlife and ecosystems. Our focus is on getting back to basics – celebrating and preserving the natural environment that makes Muskoka so special. These events take place in the shoulder season to grow our year-round appeal and to move people out of the peak periods.”

Regenerative tourism does not maintain economic factors as the primary indication of success. While economic success is one indicator, regenerative tourism also considers landscape integrity, cultural prosperity and community sentiment and well-being as important factors in determining outcomes.

Perhaps one of the most significant principles acknowledged by regenerative tourism is that activities and processes take place within an ecosystem and people are part of that ecosystem. From within, people are both the creators of tourism and the guardians of the natural world.