Tenerife's REGENERATe Project Showcased at World Ecotourism Forum
Tenerife's REGENERATe project, focused on restoring tourist-heavy natural areas and promoting responsible tourism, was presented as a success at the World Ecotourism Forum in Barcelona.
REGENERATe, a project from the Tenerife Island Council (Cabildo de Tenerife), was showcased as a success story at the World Ecotourism Forum (GEF2025) in Barcelona. This international event, held from October 22nd to 24th, brought together ecotourism experts, organizations, businesses, and other related groups.
The project aims to help restore natural areas on the island that are popular with tourists. Ultimately, it hopes to make travelers, locals, and the tourism industry more aware of responsible tourism.
Lope Afonso, Vice President and Minister of Tourism for the Cabildo de Tenerife, explained that the initiative encourages everyone involved in tourism, including visitors, to take responsible actions that benefit the environment, the local economy, and the island's unique culture. This will demonstrate the positive impact that responsible tourism can have.
He added, "We are delighted that it was presented as a success story at the World Ecotourism Forum 2025 in Barcelona."
The Cabildo de Tenerife emphasized that regenerative tourism is not just a solution to the environmental and social problems caused by traditional tourism, but also an opportunity to create a fairer, more sustainable, and stronger economic model. They acknowledged that there is still a long way to go, but the island has a clear plan for the future.
Tourism of Tenerife representatives at GEF2025 explained the details of REGENERATe, which has launched several initiatives since its start in 2024. These include REGENERATe Week, which has been held twice and featured over 40 volunteer activities focused on raising awareness, sharing information, and educating people about the need to take action in sensitive rural and suburban areas.
More than 600 people participated in these events, which took place in towns in both the north and south of the island. Activities included exploring local culture and history, learning about the environment, guided walks, and cleaning up beaches, trails, and protected areas. The project involved collaboration with the Island Council's Office of Environmental Participation and Volunteering, as well as companies that have signed the Charter for the Sustainability of Activities in Nature of Tourism of Tenerife.
The project also includes training programs for tourism professionals, natural space managers, and local representatives. The REGENERATe Expert Training program features webinars with national and international experts discussing regenerative tourism strategies. Key topics covered include artificial intelligence, tourism and health, and climate change.
Additionally, REDGENERATe, a network of local people, residents, and organizations, has been established to promote actions that help restore Tenerife's natural spaces. This initiative is committed to conserving ecosystems, increasing knowledge of biodiversity, promoting the efficient use of natural resources (including water), and monitoring and reducing carbon emissions.
Meetings have also been held with local businesses to discuss and develop their own commitments to the project.
The Cabildo highlights that REGENERATe, funded by the European Union through the Next Generation funds as part of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, is part of the Tenerife Reset project. This falls under the Program of Tourism Sustainability Plans, approved by the Sectoral Commission of Tourism and managed by the Ministry of Tourism and Employment of the Government of the Canary Islands. It includes other initiatives that aim to boost the competitiveness of tourism businesses in Tenerife, focusing on new areas and training for the industry.