Can Tourism Regenerate Oceans? Why Community Ownership, Not Just Participation, is the Answer

Dear AST friend,

As the year begins, we want to reiterate a message we’ve been consistent about: keep doubling down on your sustainability ambition.

The question, of course, is what to prioritize and how to execute it effectively. That’s where AST comes in.

Over the year ahead, we will deliver a full calendar of stories, webinars, and forums to help you cut through the complexity and turn ambition into action.

To kick things off, in this week’s edition, our Co-Founder Rhea Vitto Tabora shares firsthand insights on the Blue Economy, drawn from her participation at the Environmental Planning Conference in Bicol Region. Scroll down to read more. 👇

In two weeks, our Co-Founder Jeremy Tran, together with three expert panelists, will lead a deep dive for our first AST Webinar of 2026. On Thursday, January 22, 2026, we will tackle a timely question: 

Is the triple bottom line—people, planet, and profit—still achievable amid today’s political and economic headwinds?

Join the conversation on Zoom. Registration link below. 👇

Wishing you a focused, productive start to the year ahead.

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Can Tourism Regenerate Oceans? Why Community Ownership, Not Just Participation, is the Answer

The common perception is that tourism and the environment are at odds: overtourism damages coral reefs, cruise ships pollute, and resorts displace fishing communities.

But in Donsol, Sorsogon, Philippines, a different story is unfolding— one where tourism, driven by genuine community ownership, acts as an agent of ocean regeneration rather than degradation.

At the Environmental Planning Conference in Bicol Region, AST Co-Founder Rhea Vitto Tabora joined environmental planners, local government officials, tourism officers, academics, and NGOs to discuss pressing issues for coastal communities.

• How do we move beyond shallow CSR initiatives?

• How do we build resilience against super typhoons?

• How do we get local communities to not just participate in, but own the preservation of their ecosystem?

Donsol, once a quiet fishing town, is now a global ecotourism success story. Its transformation offers powerful lessons for the tourism and hospitality industry.

In this article:

• What is the Blue Economy and why should you care?

• Lessons from Donsol on profit, people, and preservation

• Why mangroves are the first line of defense, and why simply planting trees is not enough

• Actionable strategies to future-proof your tourism business

Sign up for AST Webinar, “Is Triple Win Possible? Guests Return, People Prosper, Nature Thrives”

📅 Thursday, 22 January 2026
⏰ 4:00–5:00 PM (UTC+8)

As the travel industry navigates shifting economic and political currents, many of us are asking a pivotal question: how can we make meaningful changes this year?

That question will be the focus of our upcoming AST Webinar, "Is Triple Win Possible? Guests Return, People Prosper, Nature Thrives," which our Co-Founder Jeremy Tran be moderating alongside three leaders working at the frontlines of change:

Jacinta Lim, Co-Founder of Seek Sophie, on redirecting travel demand toward locally-led unforgettable experiences across Asia

Allan Michaud, Lodge Manager of Cardamom Tented Camp, a member of The Long Run, on how conservation-first hospitality can fund protected areas and biodiversity at scale

Andrew S. Cameron, Founder & CEO of Enzyme Consulting, on designing tourism systems that balance commercial resilience with ecological and social regeneration

We’ll go beyond theory and dive into practical frameworks, real case studies, and tools, from experience design and community partnerships to conservation-led business models that drive repeat visits and long-term value.

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