Seeking Sustainability, Regenerative Tourism At IMPACT Conference
The IMPACT Sustainability Travel and Tourism Conference wrapped up in B.C.’s capital city, Victoria late last week.
Press Today’s Ted Davis was on hand for the event, reporting that the first day of the gathering was relatively warm and clear for January – perfect for some delegates to spend time on the waters near to Victoria on whale watching vessels.
This was the Day of Impact, a way for attendees to experience aspects of the Victoria region that have sustainable or regenerative qualities, including indigenous history, before starting the (indoor) conference agenda on the following day.
Participants boarded boats operated by Prince of Whales and EagleWing Wildlife and Whale Watching, and started on a two-hour cruise through the Salish Sea. They were introduced to some of the islands near Victoria that are significant to the Lekwungen Indigenous people, that have remnants of an ancient long house and burial grounds on site.
They continued on to one of the locations where Cascadia Seaweed operates, and learned that they are the largest cultivator of seaweed in North America. Together with their First Nations partners, Cascadia helps tackle problems like climate change, economic instability and food security.
The group disembarked in Sidney, and headed to Field Five Farm, where they heard about their sustainable operations, and dined, sustainably, under the cover of a large tent. The farm is one of the few places in Canada that can grow winter barley and other winter cereals.
Over the next three days, delegates took a deep dive into the world of regenerative tourism, hearing from a host of speakers on crucial issues like biodiversity and climate action; listening to thought leaders on sustainability planning and partnership developments and learning about some of the most innovative techniques and technologies that serve the sustainability agenda in various applications.
Go to www.tourismvictoria.com/impact for more.
Caption for Photo
IMPACT delegates listen to one of the guides on a whale watching vessel during day one of the IMPACT conference, called Day of Impact.
