The Aspen Institute New Zealand proudly presents an Aspen Sister City Youth Seminar:
Exploring Regenerative Tourism:
What is it and what does it mean for our place?
Monday June 10, 2024
Wakatipu High School, Queenstown
Moderated by Susan Houge Mackenzie, Associate Professor, Department of Tourism, University of Otago
We're thrilled to host our inaugural Aspen Sister City Youth seminar, a unique platform for cultural exchange, for the visiting Aspen High School students and their hosts from Wakatipu High School. The interactive seminar will explore the emerging concept of regenerative tourism and what it may mean for their respective tourism-oriented communities.
The students will discuss the following topics:
What is Regenerative Tourism?
Explore the fundamental principles of regenerative tourism and why this approach has emerged.
Discuss how regenerative tourism differs from other models, such as sustainable tourism.
Evaluate whether the concept makes sense and how it can be applied in different contexts.
Exploring Regenerative Tourism Practices
Using case studies, critically examine regenerative tourism practices
Consider what regenerative tourism might look like in unique locations like Queenstown and Aspen.
Discuss actionable steps towards regenerative tourism at various levels:
Individuals: How can you and your family contribute to regenerative tourism?
Communities: What can neighbourhoods, schools, and community organisations do to promote regenerative tourism
Nationally/Globally: Explore broader strategies for advancing regenerative tourism on a larger scale.
This youth-oriented seminar is designed to engage students critical thinking skills by introducing them to the Aspen Method of text-based dialogue, which facilitates meaningful and inclusive conversations. The students will read 1 – 2 short articles, which will form the basis of their discussion.
The seminar aims to not only foster critical thinking skills, but also cultural exchange and understanding between Sister City youth through interactive activities and group discussions. Students will come away with valuable insights and practical ideas for making a positive impact in their own communities.
Moderated by Dr. Susan Houge Mackenzie - Associate Professor in the University of Otago School of Business (Department of Tourism).
Susan’s research focuses on how to foster enduring psychological well-being for individuals, organisations, and communities across a range of life domains, and has been featured in over 50 academic publications and translated into a range of applications for public and private organisations. Susan’s academic work is underpinned by her previous career as an adventure guide in New Zealand and North and South America, and her experiences as a competitive soccer player and coach. Her applied work includes sport psychology for business workshops; mental skill training workshops; risk management and guide training for tourism operations; and consulting with a range of organisations such as the US Forest Service, New Zealand Ministry of Tourism, and the History Channel. She serves as an Associate Editor for two leading research journals, and on the advisory boards for Tourism Central Otago and the Adventure Tourism Research Association. Her most recent translational project focuses on how regional tourism organisations can promote intergenerational community well-being and flourishing via tourism.