Our guest speaker, Dr. Cherise Addinsall, Senior Research Fellow specialising in regenerative agritourism and sustainable livelihoods, and Co-founder of Regenerative Vanua, shared the crucial differences between regenerative models and industrial tourism. In industrial systems, destinations are shaped to serve the industry’s needs, often at the expense of local communities.
To counter this, Regenerative Vanua’s framework supports stewardship of the Vanua for future generations. It fosters meaningful, intercultural experiences such as walks through edible food forests or traditional shrimp hunting with tribal communities. These experiences aim to decolonise food systems by honouring natural cycles and Indigenous knowledge, and by cultivating a reciprocal relationship between visitors and host communities.
In a second powerful contribution, Chef Sarah King of Nourish to Thrive guided us through the principles of regenerative gastronomy standards, such as nutritional integrity, waste reduction, and circular systems. As she explained, “Regenerative gastronomy can’t happen without regenerative agriculture.” She outlined simple, actionable steps, such as designing menus that align with local agricultural seasons, which can be implemented anywhere in the world.
We were also pleased to welcome participation from IGCAT’s wider network — including sustainability advocates, regional experts, and gastronomy professionals — who contributed to a vibrant discussion on cross-sector collaboration to drive real change in agritourism and gastronomy.
As an organisation committed to fostering food sovereignty and cultural integrity, IGCAT was honoured to host such an inspiring exchange. The session touched us deeply, reminding us that regenerative practices can be both a return and a renewal, rooted in tradition but oriented toward a better, more connected future.
A big thank you to Dr Cherise Addinsall, Chef Sarah King, and all the Regenerative Vanua Team, and all the participants who joined and contributed to this vital dialogue.
