Harnessing indigenous wisdom: Coastal communities at the heart of regenerative marine tourism

Coastal and marine tourism is big business worth USD 3 trillion in 2023 alone and supporting over 100 million jobs globally. But behind the glossy brochures and pristine beaches lies a harsh truth: the sector contributes 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions and faces existential threats from climate change. As rising seas and stronger storms batter coastlines, a new movement is gaining ground, one that places indigenous and local coastal communities at the centre of a regenerative tourism model.

Community power

Local communities, especially in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), are already on the front lines of climate impacts. From the Maldives to the Caribbean, tourism underpins national economies accounting for up to half of GDP in some cases but also leaves them highly exposed to climate volatility.

Rather than sidelining these communities, regenerative tourism flips the script. It empowers them to take the lead in conservation, tourism planning, and resilience-building. This means more than jobs; it’s about sovereignty, cultural preservation, and practical stewardship of ecosystems they have protected for generations.

Take the Nai Nang village in Thailand, where the Mangrove Action Project has partnered with hotels and local residents. By restoring mangroves, which are natural defences against erosion and carbon sinks, locals not only protect their homes but create new income streams through beekeeping and eco-products sold to tourists. It’s tourism that restores rather than depletes.

Indigenous knowledge

Too often, indigenous wisdom is treated as an afterthought in environmental policy. But traditional knowledge systems offer holistic, time-tested approaches to managing marine ecosystems, something science is only beginning to understand.

Integrating this knowledge into tourism and conservation strategies brings real results. Coastal communities have long known which fish stocks are sustainable, how to use natural materials without depleting them, and how to build in harmony with their environment. When their voices are prioritised, tourism becomes more resilient, adaptive, and ethical.

The Iberostar Group’s dune restoration work in Mexico demonstrates this. By working with local experts and native plant species, they have strengthened coastal resilience while enhancing biodiversity and beauty, two key tourist draws. It is a reminder that nature-based solutions work best when locals lead.

Economic inclusion

In some destinations, a significant portion of tourism revenue tends to leave the local economy. Increasing community participation and ensuring more direct benefits for local people can help create a more inclusive and sustainable tourism model. Regenerative marine tourism disrupts this by embedding communities into the economic structure of tourism itself.

This includes training, fair wages, local procurement, and ownership models that ensure revenue stays in the community. It also means governments and the private sector must invest in the capacity of these communities to lead. According to the report, coastal tourism generates USD 1.3 trillion in tax revenue globally, some of that should be reinvested in building community-owned infrastructure, conservation initiatives, and education.

Cities like Rio de Janeiro and Miami are already linking tourism with climate adaptation by promoting sustainable infrastructure and community-based resilience planning. But smaller, rural destinations need similar support, tailored to their context and grounded in community-led approaches.

Building a blueprint for the future

The transition to regenerative tourism would be challenging. The report estimates that between USD 120 billion and USD 259 billion per year will be needed for mitigation and adaptation. However, the cost of inaction may be even higher. So, here’s the opportunity: when indigenous and coastal communities are empowered, that investment goes further.

Nature-based solutions such as mangrove restoration and wetland protection are cost-effective and offer multiple benefits such as climate protection, biodiversity, and livelihoods. Plus, community ownership ensures long-term stewardship. To succeed, we need clear policies that prioritise community-led tourism, fund local innovation, and create frameworks where indigenous knowledge holds equal weight with scientific data. It’s not just about protecting paradise. It is about recognising who’s best equipped to do it.

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