Travel Beyond

Port Aransas, Texas, is a small beach town with big ideas about sustainable tourism and community care. In this episode, Brett Stawar explains how tourism operators and visitors are funding annual stipends for teachers and providing students with scholarships. They’re also pitching in with environmental care. From sea turtles to sand sculptures, learn how this Gulf Coast destination is putting peo...

When wildfire threatens everything, how does a tourism destination respond? Mammoth Lakes Tourism is supporting one of the boldest regional fire prevention efforts in the U.S. — a project that is now funded with visitor dollars. In this episode, President & CEO John Urdi shares how the community is investing in fire resilience, reframing visitor education, and inviting travellers to become ste...

Madison, Wisconsin is charting a bold path where inclusion and sustainability shape everyday life. In this episode, Ellie Westman Chin shares how women-led leadership, DEAI values, and climate resilience are deeply embedded in the city’s culture. From painted Pride flags to electric buses, discover how Madison is building a destination that truly welcomes everyone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...

What if every visit made the world a better place? By protecting the kiwi and inviting visitors to plant native trees, Destination Hauraki Coromandel is shaping a tourism ecosystem where every trip gives back. This episode of Travel Beyond explores how a small region is leaving a big legacy, one handprint at a time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Travel Marquette is leading a community-wide effort to protect the region’s natural beauty and culture. CEO Susan Estler shares how the Respect Marquette County coalition, slow travel, and education initiatives like the Bark Ranger program are helping visitors and locals build a more sustainable future together. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informa...

The challenge isn’t the number of people, it’s the number of cars.” In Banff National Park, new transit options are helping visitors slow down and enjoy the mountains without worrying about traffic. Christie Pashby from Banff & Lake Louise Tourism explains how an ongoing transportation campaign encourages shifting into “Park Mode” to help protect this one-of-a-kind Canadian destination and the...

Like a souvenir that takes up no room in your suitcase, learning has always fit perfectly with travel experiences. Two Copenhagen entrepreneurs share how they’re helping to ensure travellers are going home with a better understanding of how to advocate for change in their communities and take small steps to make better choices in their personal lives.  This episode was originally aired in spr...

From bike riding to urban gardening, Copenhagen’s 2024 pilot project, CopenPay, rewarded visitors for their sustainable actions. Learn how the city is turning travellers’ green intentions into action, inspiring the world along the way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where do your vacation dollars go after they're spent? In Bend, Oregon, the answer might surprise you. In this episode of Travel Beyond, Nate Wyeth of Visit Bend shares how lodging tax revenue collected from accommodations helps make the city a better place. By funding essential services, local culture, and exciting sustainability projects, Bend is proving that tourism can be a powerful force for...

Jimmy Lulua is a past Elected Chief of Xeni Gwet’in First Nation. Today, he’s helping tourism businesses understand how to develop long-term relationships with First Nations based on trust. He shares how Bella Coola Heli Sports' commitment to Indigenous partnerships, environmental stewardship, and sustainable tourism is setting a new standard for the industry, blending adventure with respect for l...

Tourism businesses often spark positive change. Beat Steiner, owner of Bella Coola Heli Sports, shares insights on balancing community, climate, and conservation responsibilities, pioneering climate-positive practices, and inspiring industry-wide sustainability through innovation and collaboration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Storytelling is a powerful catalyst for reconciliation, with historic sites worldwide increasingly recognizing their role in sharing untold stories that promote understanding and healing. At Barkerville, a living history museum in British Columbia, Indigenous perspectives are now beginning to be fully integrated into its narrative. In this episode, Stewart Cawood, Manager of Public Programming and...

Tourism operator Shannon Lansdowne is carrying on her family’s legacy at Bella Coola Grizzly Tours, a business her father transformed from a grizzly hunting operation into an ecotourism venture. This shift has made the business into a model for aligning tourism with environmental stewardship. Shannon’s story highlights how adapting to shifts in traveller demand and prioritizing legacy can help tou...

Can both residents and tourists change their travel habits in favour of EVs? In this episode, entrepreneur Gordon Taylor, member of Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ (Ucluelet First Nation), shares how T?iick?in (Thunderbird) Ebike Rentals is advocating for positive change. His business strives toward a future of renewable energy, reduced emissions, and care for local lands and resources – all while giving visitors in...

An Indigenous fishery is bringing new opportunities to First Nations on Vancouver Island and to Tofino entrepreneurs like Stevie Dennis. As a kelp rancher, fisherman, and Founder & Owner of NAAS Foods, Stevie shares his journey into business on the ocean. He brings a heartfelt and hopeful perspective on how his work can be a positive model for others as the Tofino area adapts to the ever-chang...

“I think we can look side to side and find so much solidarity with people who are working in any  given region towards a future that is more equitable or more just and say, how do we connect?”  Sully Rogalski is the co-founder of the Coastal Queen Alliance in Tofino, which has brought the queer community together in new and exciting ways. Here, they discuss the organization’s mission, th...

How can independent businesses best educate and connect with visitors? In this episode, Maureen Fraser, Owner of the Common Loaf Bake Shop, draws from her five decades of experience to talk about her early support of the area’s Tribal Parks, the role of businesses in environmental and cultural advocacy, and the power of food to connect people around shared values.  Hosted on Acast. See acast....

How can tourism create Indigenous spaces that foster growth, opportunity, and meaningful representation? In this episode, Maria Clark, Assistant General Manager at Tin Wis Resort and Board Director for Indigenous Tourism BC, discusses the value of mentorship, the importance of Indigenous leadership, and the responsibility of tourism to educate and uplift communities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...

“It really comes back to ?iisaak. It comes back to respect.”  To create a more balanced and inclusive future for tourism, it’s essential to understand and honour Indigenous culture and history. In this episode, Timmy Masso and Hjalmer Wenstob explore the deep connections between language, art, and land, sharing their vision for respectful tourism, the power of education, and the role of story...

On this episode of Travel Beyond, sustainability leader Auden Schendler shares a bold vision for tackling the climate crisis, revealing how the tourism industry can use its influence to drive systemic change, inspire global action, and transform token efforts into scalable, impactful solutions. For more resources, see the show notes on our website at destinationthink.com. Hosted on Acast. See acas...

Travel’s full impact on society – both positive and negative – is not often fully understood or discussed. But that’s starting to change. Today’s leading destinations are charting a future with strategies that help places navigate complexity and make sure communities and the environment benefit. This episode is a condensed version of a live webinar presented by Destination Think. Rikke Holm Peters...

In a world where the old playbooks no longer work, biologist and environmental professional Veronica Woodruff explores how adaptability, collaboration, and community action can reshape leadership, tackle complex challenges, and inspire meaningful change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2019, a living history museum in Barkerville, British Columbia began incorporating First Nations perspectives into its storytelling, largely due to the efforts of Cheryl Chapman (Sunrise When the Salmon Come) from the Xatśūll First Nation, who spent 26 years advocating for the shift. In this episode, Cheryl speaks with us about the powerful role storytelling and tourism can play in reconciliati...

When highways wash out, tourism stops—highlighting the deep connection between travel and the environment. In this episode, biologist and environmental professional Veronica Woodruff explores how cross-sector collaboration can strengthen tourism's resilience against extreme weather while supporting environmental restoration in the face of climate change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...

Leonard Ellis knows more than most tourism operators what it means to pivot a business. Over his 50-year career, and as the owner of Bella Coola Grizzly Tours, he has transitioned from hunting big game to viewing them instead. But his motivation to bring balance to nature through guided tours is unchanged. Leonard has worked to re-introduce grizzly bears to an area where prior hunting outfitters h...