12 Ways to Practice Regenerative Travel and Heal the Planet While You Explore

2. Travel with local, community-led experiences

Prioritize experiences designed and led by local communities instead of standard sightseeing packages. Community-led experiences tend to direct more income to residents and give visitors richer cultural context. In places like Haida Gwaii in British Columbia, indigenous-led tours combine cultural learning with support for local enterprises; look for operator pages that explain co-creation and consent. Ask whether your fee covers community programs such as language revitalization or craft workshops, and whether hosts set boundaries for photography or participation. Participating respectfully means preparing in advance, listening to guidance, and treating cultural sharing as a privilege rather than entertainment. A community-led approach strengthens cultural continuity and gives locals control over how tourism evolves, helping to ensure benefits stay local and meaningful rather than being siphoned off by outside interests (Earth Changers; Journeys with Purpose).