Circular Tourism:
Transforming the Travel & Outdoor Industry
Transforming the Travel & Outdoor Industry
Discover how circular economy principles are revolutionising the tourism sector, creating sustainable value and memorable experiences. Build resilience, future-proof your business and create unique offerings.
What is Circular Tourism?
Circular Tourism applies the principles of the Circular Economy to create positive impacts for local communities, the environment, and the economy. Instead of the traditional "take-make-dispose" linear model, circular tourism focuses on minimizing waste, maximizing resource efficiency, regenerating nature and collaborate in new partnerships and business models.
Minimise Waste
Design out pollution and keep materials in use
Maximize Efficiency
Optimize resource use throughout the value chain
Regenerate Nature
Support and restore natural systems
Collaborative Models
Promote sharing and service-based offerings
Key Stakeholders in Circular Tourism
Circular Tourism brings together stakeholders across the value chain—such as hotels, transport providers, local businesses, policymakers, and travelers—to create sustainable solutions that reduce waste, extend the life of resources, create resilience and generate positive impacts for communities and the environment.
Industry Players
- Accommodation providers
- Transportation services
- Tour operators and agencies
- Restaurants and food services
- Outdoor accessories providers
Community and Guests
- Tourists and travelers
- Local communities
- Suppliers and vendors
- Governments
- Nature
The Importance of
Circular Tourism
Circular Tourism
Tourism brings people and cultures together and promotes international peace and exchange. Circular tourism gives us the opportunity to achieve this in harmony with nature and all stakeholders.
Carbon
Reduction
Reduction
41% lower footprint by 2030
Cost
Savings
Savings
Lower operational expenses
Drive Innovation & Resilience
New business models emerge
Enhanced
Experience
Experience
Align with traveler values
Sector Strategies for Circular Tourism
A comprehensive approach to transforming tourism through five key strategic areas:
Water Management
Building the foundation with efficient use and reuse systems to preserve our most precious resource
Energy Transition
Transitioning to renewable energy adoption across tourism operations
Sustainable Food
Implementing zero-waste food systems throughout the value chain
Circular Material Flows
Developing closed cycles and service models for all materials
Green Mobility
Capping the transformation with electric and shared transport systems
Concrete Action Priorities
Circular Design
Sustainable design in tourism facilities and activities encourages the use of renewable energy and reduces waste.
Use and Life Extension
Sharing platforms enable collaborative consumption and maximize the use of existing resources.
Value Recovery
Recycling and waste reduction initiatives are crucial for creating a zero-waste tourism sector.
Circular Support
Digital technologies, AI, and tailored content help optimize services and inspire sustainable actions.
About us:
Our Approach to Circular Tourism
Our Approach to Circular Tourism
We provide professional support to stakeholders in implementing circular tourism by jointly developing innovative solutions and concrete action plans. Through workshops, value chain analysis and targeted capacity building programmes, we help put sustainable and circular strategies into practice.
1
Online Study and Analysis
Assess opportunities and benchmark against leaders
2
Stakeholder Engagement
Conduct workshops and map value chains
3
Vision Development
Co-create roadmap and set measurable targets
4
Implementation Strengthening
Develop action plans and build capacity
How a Circular Tourist takes travel decisions?
We see a new typ of tourist emerge. The Circular Tourist .
Circular tourist are more conscious travellers and commit to sustainable practices and closed-loop systems throughout their journey.
Circular tourist are more conscious travellers and commit to sustainable practices and closed-loop systems throughout their journey.
🚆 Resource-efficient travel
Prioritizing accommodations and transportation options that minimize resource consumption and waste generation while maximizing efficiency.
🍽️ Local and sustainable consumption
Choosing locally-sourced food, products, and experiences that support circular economies in the destinations they visit.
♻️ Extended value participation
Engaging with tourism services that emphasize sharing, repairing, and reusing rather than single-use consumption models.
🌱 Regenerative impact
Selecting experiences that actively contribute to environmental restoration and community wellbeing rather than merely reducing harm.
🧠 Circular awareness
Seeking educational components that enhance their understanding of circular systems and inspire continued sustainable choices.
Get in Touch
Contact us -
with our broad, long-standing and international wealth of experience in the areas of circular economy, innovation and tourism, we support you on a project basis together with a network of experienced experts.
with our broad, long-standing and international wealth of experience in the areas of circular economy, innovation and tourism, we support you on a project basis together with a network of experienced experts.
Case Studies in Circular Tourism
Ecotours-project
European partnership increasing circular economy knowledge in tourism
Global Tourism Plastics Initiative
200+ organizations tackling plastic pollution in tourism
Circular Balears
Balearic Islands aiming to become world's first circular tourist destination
Circular Tourism Vietnam
Implementing circular principles for post-COVID-19 recovery
Global Case Studies - categorised