Most of us don’t ask that question when planning a trip. We think about where to stay, where to eat, and what to do, but BC’s tourism industry keeps growing. It now generates over $22 billion a year. We need to start asking: Can our travels actually make a place better?
BC’s new Re:BC initiative says yes — but only if we’re willing to rethink the way we travel.
Beyond “Do No Harm”
For years, sustainable tourism was the gold standard. Reduce waste. Reduce carbon footprint. Stay on the trail. But that mindset is basically the baseline now. It’s not enough to keep up with the pressures on BC’s ecosystems, communities, and infrastructure.
Regenerative travel goes further. It’s about making an active contribution, leaving behind social, cultural, and ecological benefits when you leave.
As Kirsten Ovstaas, spokesperson for Re:BC, puts it:
“Regenerative travel calls us to move beyond reducing impact — it’s about actively contributing to the vitality of people and place.”
In other words: don’t just avoid doing damage, do some good.
What Regenerative Travel Looks Like in BC
This summer, Re:BC is launching a new campaign. The campaign is “Re-education on Regeneration”. It is designed to show travellers exactly how to leave BC better than they found it.
The campaign isn’t just marketing fluff. It’s an invitation to engage with BC differently — to explore places while participating in their renewal. Whether that’s:
- Volunteering at ThanksgivingBack in Revelstoke
- Shopping and dining locally in the Southern Gulf Islands
- Joining a beach clean-up in Parksville
- Choosing Indigenous-led experiences that deepen your connection to land and culture
These aren’t just feel-good activities; they’re opportunities to strengthen the social and ecological fabric of the places we visit.
Where It’s Happening
Re:BC is starting in eight communities that are leading the regenerative charge:
And they’re making it accessible: through storytelling, guides, and community-led narratives, powered by the Tourismo platform. It’s not about making you feel guilty — it’s about giving you easy, meaningful ways to engage.
So Can Travel Leave BC Better?
Absolutely — if we’re willing to do more than just show up. This summer, BC is asking travellers to:
- Travel slower
- Support local economies
- Participate in restoration efforts
- Build relationships with communities, especially Indigenous ones
- Think beyond “leave no trace” to leave a legacy of reparation
That’s a better tourism; not just for BC, but for all of us.
If you’re ready to explore what that looks like, check out rebctravel.ca. Your summer trip is more than a getaway — it could be your way to give back.
Mary in Vancity 
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