We caught up with Amanda Ho, Co-Founder of Regenerative Travel, to gain a better understanding of what steps can to be taken in hospitality to help mitigate the ecological price tag of the industry.
Could you please give a brief introduction to yourself and Regenerative Travel?
I’m Amanda Ho, co-founder of Regenerative Travel. My journey into the tourism industry stems from my passion for storytelling and my desire to reimagine travel as a force for good. Regenerative Travel is a global community of independent hotels that exemplify regenerative principles—focused on restoring and enhancing ecosystems, communities, and cultures. We aim to educate and inspire hotels and the wider travel industry to embrace these regenerative models through advocacy, education, and collaboration.
Could you provide a more in-depth explanation of how Regenerative Travel connects visitors and hotels, and vice versa?
At Regenerative Travel, we curate a collection of hotels that are not only committed to sustainability but also actively contribute to the restoration of their surrounding environments and communities. We connect travelers to these properties through storytelling, helping them understand how their travel choices can contribute to positive impact. For hotels, we offer a platform that amplifies their regenerative practices, connects them with like-minded guests, and provides the support needed to further their regenerative journey. This mutual exchange fosters a deeper connection between visitors, the hotels, and the local culture.
What criteria do hotels need to qualify for membership?
Our membership is built on a commitment to regeneration. Hotels must demonstrate that they prioritize not just environmental sustainability but also social impact and community involvement. They need to go beyond reducing harm to actively restoring and improving ecosystems, contributing to local culture, and fostering economic resilience in their regions. We evaluate hotels based on their dedication to regenerative principles—focusing on the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic systems.
In what ways do these hotels incorporate design into their sustainability ambitions?
Design plays a vital role in regenerative hospitality. Our hotels integrate design with nature, creating spaces that reflect and honor the local environment and culture. Playa Viva, one of our founding members, for example, incorporates the natural landscape of Zihuatanejo, Mexico, into its design, minimizing disruption to the surrounding ecosystem. Sustainable building materials, renewable energy sources, and eco-conscious architectural practices are woven into the fabric of the hotels’ identities, ensuring that design not only supports sustainability but also enhances guests' connection to the place.
Who is driving the charge of sustainability within the hospitality sector?
There are passionate individuals, often hotel owners or local leaders, who are driving the sustainability movement. Many of our member hotels are owner-operated and led by visionaries who deeply care about the impact of their operations. Additionally, there is a growing cohort of travelers who are demanding more responsible and purpose-driven experiences. Together, these leaders and conscious consumers are pushing the industry toward more meaningful, sustainable models.
What challenges do hotels face in making the transition to more sustainable practices?
The transition can be complex. For many hotels, particularly smaller or independently-owned properties, there are financial and operational barriers. Implementing sustainable infrastructure, such as renewable energy systems or water management technologies, often requires significant upfront investment. There’s also the challenge of ensuring that sustainable practices are ingrained into the entire guest experience—without compromising on quality or comfort. But the biggest challenge is shifting mindsets. Regeneration requires a fundamental change in how we think about travel and its impact, and this takes time.
Hospitality Interview | Regenerative Travel
What role does technology play in this shift?
Technology is a powerful enabler of sustainable and regenerative practices. From energy-efficient systems and water recycling technologies to platforms that measure carbon footprints, it allows hotels to operate in a more eco-friendly way. Technology also helps travelers make more informed decisions, whether through carbon offset programs or apps that provide insights into a property’s sustainability efforts. The key is using technology not just as a tool for efficiency but as a means to foster regeneration and deeper connections between people, place, and planet.
Travel is inherently at odds with sustainable practices. How do you encourage hotel operators and travelers to make these sorts of changes?
It’s about changing the narrative from one of consumption to one of regeneration. We encourage hotel operators to think about how their operations can give back more than they take—to the environment, their local communities, and their guests. For travelers, we aim to inspire through education. We show them that travel can be transformative when done with intention. By choosing to stay at regenerative hotels, travelers can directly contribute to environmental restoration and cultural preservation. It’s about shifting from a “less harm” approach to a mindset of actively doing good.
Different regions have different goals within hospitality. How can platforms like Regenerative Travel bridge these gaps?
One of the core values of regeneration is its adaptability and the concept of continual co-evolution, everything is constantly evolving. While every region has its unique cultural, environmental, and social needs, the underlying regenerative principles—restoring ecosystems, supporting communities, and creating long-term economic value—are universal. Regenerative Travel provides a platform where diverse stakeholders from around the world can share their stories, learn from one another, and collaborate on solutions that fit their specific contexts. It’s about embracing the local while staying connected to a global movement.
How has COVID-19 affected your work?
COVID-19 has brought both challenges and opportunities. The pandemic forced the travel industry to hit pause, giving us the space to reflect on what kind of future we want for tourism. It highlighted the fragility of our current systems but also opened the door for a reset. We’ve seen an increased interest in regenerative travel as people seek more meaningful and purpose-driven experiences post-pandemic. Travelers and industry players alike are recognizing the importance of aligning travel with the health of our planet and communities.
What impact does AI have on the future of travel?
AI has the potential to revolutionize travel by providing more personalized, efficient, and informed experiences. It can help travelers make more sustainable choices by recommending eco-friendly accommodations or optimizing transportation routes to reduce emissions. For hotels, AI can enhance resource management—monitoring energy use or automating systems to reduce waste. But it’s important to remember that AI should be used to complement human connection, not replace it. In regenerative travel, technology should enhance our understanding of place and deepen the relationships we build with the environments and communities we visit.
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