Involve tourists in local restoration, rebuild and donation projects!
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The Regenerative Tourism (RT) Program helps businesses, sites and destinations develop projects that get the traveler involved in supporting their local needs, while also having a great visitor experience. We provide a step-by-step process to plan out your project and get the guidance needed to start, all while learning from others who are already offering RT!
Regenerative tourism is tourism that leaves a place better than when a visitor arrived.
By the end of this program you will have created a tourism experience that helps with recovery and rebuilding efforts in Western North Carolina—while also encouraging people to return, visit, and spend more money.
Many travelers want to know: “How can I help?” Regenerative tourism gives them that opportunity. Examples include joining trail restoration crews, helping clean up riverbanks, restoring public art, or volunteering on local projects that benefit the community. You could also set up a traveler donation program to channel funds to local projects.
Western ​NC Regenerative Tourism Workshop Series
Building Community Through Purposeful Travel
Join us for this four-part Regenerative Tourism series, running from August to November, which includes two in-person workshops and two zoom sessions.
​Who Should Attend?
Businesses, landowners or managers, riverkeepers, trail stewards (blue or green), and leaders in cultural preservation or interpretation that would like to involve visitors in restoration or development projects.
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If you are not sure if this is for you, please email us for a brief chat.
Program Timeline
August: In-Person Workshop
Choose your location:
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August 26: Sylva Social, 582 W Main St. Sylva, NC 28779
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August 27: App State Hickory Campus: 800 17th St NW Hickory, NC 28601
Workshops run from 9:30am to 3pm and include a yummy lunch and coffee breaks/snacks (we got you!). Together we will kickstart your idea for a regenerative tourism experience. Come with a project concept in mind and you’ll get hands-on support in developing it toward launch.
September and October: Zoom Meetings
Virtual check-in to troubleshoot and continue project development. One to two hours, depending on need.
November: In-Person Workshop
Choose your location:
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Sylva on November 5
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Hickory on November 6
It’s time to present project proposals, as well as talk marketing, timelines, & implementation plans.
Let’s Build This Together
This is more than a workshop — it's a movement to make tourism meaningful, locally-led, and regenerative for the places we call home.
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Contact us for more information, questions, or to reserve a spot!