Regenerative Tourism| A Sustainable Future — Lessons from Hawaii to VLU Students

The Faculty of Tourism at Van Lang University recently organized a special seminar on Regenerative Tourism.

Key Concepts

What is Regenerative Tourism? A New Perspective on the “Smokeless Industry”

In the context of global development trends, the concept of Regenerative Tourism is gradually emerging as an advanced evolution of traditional Sustainable Tourism. At the recent seminar held by the The Faculty of Tourism at Van Lang University, guest speaker Kwanglim Seo from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa shared valuable insights with VLU tourism students about this innovative tourism model.

Unlike Sustainable Tourism, which primarily focuses on minimizing negative impacts, Regenerative Tourism goes further by aiming to restore and revitalize local ecosystems, cultures, and communities. It represents a journey where travelers not only come to experience a destination but also contribute positively, leaving meaningful values behind for the places they visit.

Lessons from Hawaii: From “Quantity” to “Quality”

Hawaii has long been recognized as a global tourism icon. However, the destination has also faced significant challenges related to overtourism. During the seminar, Dr. Kwanglim Seo shared how Hawaii has gradually shifted toward a regenerative tourism model based on three key pillars:

From “Visitors” to “Participants”: Instead of merely observing, tourists are encouraged to actively engage in activities that help preserve local cultural and environmental values.

The Philosophy of Malama (Care): A core value emphasizing care, protection, and responsibility toward the environment and local communities.

The Spirit of Kuleana (Responsibility): Every tourism experience is designed to foster deeper connections and responsible relationships between people and nature.

Opportunities and Challenges for VLU Gen Z Tourism Students

In the face of climate change and the saturation of traditional tourism models, the concept of regeneration offers new opportunities for the future “tourism ambassadors” of VLU. Understanding regenerative tourism thinking enables students to design ethical and human-centered tourism products, address overtourism issues at Vietnamese destinations, create sustainable tourism ecosystems where economic benefits go hand in hand with the regeneration of nature and local communities

Don’t Just Be a Tourist — Become Part of the Ecosystem

The message delivered by Dr. Kwanglim Seo went beyond academic knowledge; it was also a call to action: “Don’t just be a tourist passing through. Be a part of the living ecosystem.”

News: The Faculty of Tourism

The seminar concluded with many meaningful moments and lasting impressions. It serves as an important foundation for students of the Faculty of Tourism at VLU to continue exploring and applying innovative tourism models in the practical development of Vietnam’s tourism industry.