Abstract
Tourism is a major driver of global economic growth but has long been criticized for its environmental and social drawbacks. Despite these challenges, it fosters cultural exchange, strengthens local economies, and promotes sustainable practices. To balance its benefits and drawbacks, the emerging concept of regeneration shifts the focus from merely reducing negative impacts to actively restoring and enhancing social, cultural, and environmental systems. However, regenerative tourism faces significant challenges, including inconsistent definitions and gaps between theoretical frameworks and practical implementation. This concept remains largely unexplored in post-Soviet European countries like Lithuania and Ukraine, especially in rural areas, despite its potential for transformative impact. Through analyzing two case studies, this study seeks to bridge these gaps and demonstrate how regenerative tourism can transform rural destinations into restorative ecosystems. By examining real-world examples, the research provides valuable insights into the implementation of regenerative tourism.
Belhaj, M.; Rastvorova, M. (2025). Two Paths to Sustainability, One Way to Regeneration: Case Studies from Lithuania and Ukraine. In Sousa, B., Arantes, L., & Bha, S. (Eds), Regenerative Tourism for Social Development, p. 445–476, IGI Global, DOI: 10.4018/979-8-3373-0235-5.ch019.