Across Canada, a quiet transformation is taking place in the tourism industry. What began as a single summit in Victoria, British Columbia, has grown into a national movement — one rooted in collaboration, community, and the shared belief that tourism can be a force for good.

The IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism Summit in Victoria remains the heart of that movement. It brings together leaders from around the world to confront the realities of climate change, challenge the status quo, and imagine a future where tourism helps restore what it touches. For many, it’s a reset and a reminder that progress demands both courage and connection.

As momentum has grown, so too has the understanding that change must be anchored in place. The creation of regional IMPACT gatherings across Canada reflects this evolution: taking the global conversation and grounding it in local context.

The Ontario regional chapter was the first to emerge from the larger IMPACT community, setting the stage for others to follow. Over two days, tourism professionals, sustainability advocates, and community leaders gather to share research, explore best practices, and strengthen partnerships that advance regenerative tourism.

The Atlantic Canada regional event took place for the first time in 2025, building on a local legacy of resilience. In a region once defined by the rise and fall of the cod fishery, tourism has become a pathway to renewal — a way to sustain livelihoods, preserve culture, and celebrate the enduring spirit of its coastal communities. The IMPACT Atlantic Canada chapter in St. John’s drew on that strength, offering a forum for honest dialogue about how tourism can balance growth with stewardship.

This network of gatherings reflects a simple truth: regeneration cannot be centralized. It thrives when ideas flow both ways — from global to local and back again. Insights from regional events inform national conversations, while the inspiration from Victoria fuels action on the ground. Together, they create a feedback loop of learning and accountability.

At their core, every IMPACT event is built on the same foundation: that tourism must serve people, place, and planet equally. The work is not easy. It asks for vulnerability, open dialogue, and the willingness to question long-held assumptions. But it also sparks possibility. Across boardrooms and shorelines, in classrooms and community halls, a new culture of collaboration is taking hold.

The IMPACT movement is not a series of conferences. It is a living network, a collective commitment to reshape tourism from the ground up. And while its reach now spans regions, its purpose remains constant: to unite, to commit, and to act for a future where travel leaves more than footprints.