Step 5: Implement

Following the assessment and co-creation stages, key priorities within the destination will have been identified, good practices among local businesses recognised, and partners and organisations that are spearheading sustainable development and support pinpointed. 

The next step is to develop these into a strategic action plan. Here is a list of some potential initiatives you could consider including as part of your action plan:

• Low-carbon transport campaigns: Develop campaigns that encourage visitors to adopt active and/or low-carbon transport options such as biking, walking, and using public transport. Collaborate with transport providers to enhance travel and transport infrastructure, for example footpaths, bike lanes, and EV charging stations. Consider offering incentives for eco-friendly travel choices and make planning and develop partnerships that help make booking public transport as easy as possible.
• Resource use and waste reduction: Promote circular economy principles to minimise resource consumption and waste production in the tourism industry. Encourage energy and water efficiency, and the use of recycled materials. Support local businesses in initiatives that reduce food waste and single-use plastics, reinforcing community-wide sustainability.
• Sustainable culinary experiences and local sourcing networks: Promote local, seasonal, organic food in tourism and hospitality. Foster sustainable supply chains between tourism businesses and local producers.
• Biodiversity and cultural heritage conservation: Collaborate with local businesses, conservation organisations and community groups to invest in biodiversity regeneration projects. Focus on restoring habitats and raise awareness of the role well-managed tourism plays in generating revenue for these. Identify cultural heritage sites at risk, balancing conservation with community and visitor needs. Encourage the co-creation of experiences that celebrate and preserve local traditions.
• Diversity and Inclusion: Enhance the diversity and inclusivity of tourism offerings and marketing efforts to attract a wide array of visitors and talent. Provide training and awareness programmes to tourism staff to promote understanding and appreciation of diverse cultural backgrounds and accessibility needs. Implement key actions from and raise awareness of the VisitEngland Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Toolkit for Businesses.
• Workforce development: Collaborate with educational institutions to deliver diverse, inclusive vocational training in hospitality and sustainable tourism, equipping individuals with key industry skills. Advocate for fair labour practices, ensuring living wages, equal pay, and safe conditions to create a diverse and sustainable workforce in the sector.
• Certification: Encourage the sustainability certification of tourism businesses, products/services to aid consumer decision-making and enhance transparency. Promote businesses that achieve sustainability certifications through all marketing channels of the LVEP, enhancing the destination’s credibility and trustworthiness.

Launch quick wins: Start with initiatives identified for early success to build momentum and demonstrate the benefits of regenerative practices.

Roll out initiatives: Implement the key strategies and actions developed through the planning phase. Ensure each initiative aligns with the long-term vision for regeneration, addressing environmental, economic, and social dimensions.

Use the taskforce: Consult or create the regenerative tourism taskforce for ongoing advice and problem-solving, particularly when facing unforeseen challenges or when making significant adjustments to the plan.

Improve the consultation processes: Broaden the spectrum of interested parties engaged in providing input on refining initiatives, ensuring that the regenerative destination management plan remains inclusive and reflective of diverse community needs and aspirations.

Invest in learning and development: Support capacity building among interested parties, in the destination and within the community, to maintain implementation efforts. Training in regenerative practices ensures that momentum continues, and the vision continues to evolve.

Secure long-term support: Seek long- term funding and resources to support the success of regenerative initiatives. Measuring impacts, communicating successes, and building partnerships with government and private entities, can help provide the necessary support for ongoing projects.