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Travel Beyond
Travel Beyond episodes
- Tourism Jasper works to transform crisis into lasting positive changeHow does a crisis become a catalyst for building a better future? CEO Tyler Riopel at Tourism Jasper joins us to discuss how, in the wake of the 2024 wildfires in Jasper National Park, his organization has been working to balance immediate community recovery with long-term destination resilience. "Without visitors, we don't have economic recovery. Without economic recovery, we don't have social and community recovery or stability." Visitors are, of course, still visiting Jasper, which sits within the world’s largest accessible dark sky preserve. Learn about what visitors can expect and what opportunities and challenges lie ahead for this important Canadian destination.
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25 min - Why regenerative tourism is a way of life, not a label in rural BCWhat's in a word? CEO Amy Thacker says that, in her region, the most effective regenerative operators don't see themselves as "sustainable" – they're simply living their connected way of life, which naturally creates positive environmental and community impacts. Learn about this region's layered, values-driven approach to sustainability and why more of tourism's positive contributions need to be acknowledged.
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19 min - Sand and Steel: Why Indiana Dunes is showing visitors history, even when it’s uncomfortableEvery place is complex, so why do destinations sometimes shy away from sharing deeper stories with visitors? There’s a benefit to authenticity, says Christine Livingston, CEO and President at Indiana Dunes Tourism. This episode, she shares how the destination has begun leaning into its industrial heritage to entice modern travellers. This Sand and Steel identity demonstrates how honest storytelling can build hometown pride, encourage sustainable tourism, and create inspiring experiences for visitors.
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27 min - Queenstown’s electric innovations: How economic benefits drive carbon-zero tourism
The economic benefits of sustainability must be well communicated to rally people and businesses to take action, says Mat Woods, CEO at Destination Queenstown in Aotearoa New Zealand. This approach has helped the city become a leader in electrification. It has been able to rally a community-wide movement toward carbon-zero tourism and experiences that show travellers a glimpse of a tourism future less reliant on fossil fuels. In this episode, we discuss Queenstown’s “good ancestor” philosophy, carbon-zero goals, electric innovations travellers can enjoy, and the economic benefits of destination stewardship.
In October 2025, Destination Think Collective members and other travel leaders gathered in Queenstown to experience sustainable innovations first-hand. Visit our blog for the five takeaways from that event: https://destinationthink.com/blog/5-green-themes-from-an-energizing-forum-2025-in-queenstown-aotearoa/
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21 min - Beyond Disney: How Kissimmee, FL balances heritage, community, and growthKissimmee, Florida, is a surprising destination. Yes, it’s a gateway to Disney World, the planet’s largest single-site employer, but this city shows that even places engaging with mass tourism can implement meaningful, sustainable practices. By taking the first step toward stewardship and embracing local culture, destinations can create initiatives that benefit visitors, residents, and the environment simultaneously. In this episode, we’ll explore Experience Kissimmee's Trees for Travel program, the city’s purpose-built vacation rental communities, its gentle river, and its commitment to tourism as a community benefit.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
21 min - How a world record LGBTQ+ vow renewal became Seattle's tourism success storySeattle's Love Boat for All initiative celebrated the 50th anniversary of Seattle Pride and set world records in the process. Jacky Danyluk from Visit Seattle shares how values-driven tourism is creating authentic community pride and visitor connections by leaning into the city's inclusive identity. She also shares how a unified voice is helping to prepare for the arrival of FIFA World Cup 2026.
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19 min - Why slow tourism leads to richer connections in Taos, NMTaos, New Mexico is filled with inspiration for the sustainability-minded. Here, a centuries-old acequia irrigation system continues to unite the community. It's also the home of the Earthship movement and the Taos Pueblo UNESCO World Heritage Site. Jessie Hook manages the Taos Destination Stewardship Network, and she explains how Taos' community land ethic recognizes the unbreakable links between people, water, and landscapes in tourism planning. She shares what the "land of mañana" can teach travellers seeking rich, slow-paced travel experiences.
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21 min - How 180 community workshops changed the future of BC tourism
During the 2010s, the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) in British Columbia led a region-wide effort to become North America's first Biosphere-certified region. This certification has had an impact across the province and is empowering the local tourism industry. Learn how this destination enables businesses to make tourism more sustainable while remaining accountable to their communities.
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23 min - Why tourism is Canada's underrated superpowerMarsha Walden, CEO at Destination Canada, outlines the huge tourism opportunity ahead for communities across Canada. We apply this thinking to a real-life case study with Callandra Caufield in Cochrane, Alberta, a destination on the doorstep of the Rockies that is entering a new era of tourism development.
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34 min - Cosmic views: How Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula became a dark sky destinationKeweenaw, MI is home to a first-of-its-kind, certified dark sky park. Brad Barnett from Visit Keweenaw shares how a public-private partnership led to the park’s creation and how this small rural destination is making a sustainable impact through authentic community collaboration and partnerships.
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23 min
About Travel Beyond
From the publisher's feed
The Travel Beyond podcast brings you the travel industry’s most exciting innovations that address the greatest challenges facing communities and the planet.
We partner with travel…
destinations and changemakers working toward a regenerative future where all people can flourish, and that means transforming the travel industry to respect the needs of residents, visitors, and the environment.
At Destination Think, we believe travel can make the world a better place, but it must do so without environmental, economic and social harm. In the travel industry, and as travellers, we need to pair our words with meaningful action if we are going to improve our lives and the world. The solutions are in sight, and they need to be shared.
Protecting our planet and shaping the future of travel is a big project that needs a big team. Tune in to hear from the inspiring travel leaders and many others committed to this vital project. And join us.
www.destinationthink.com
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