Although many small-town economies thrive on tourism, the stereotypical picture of a “tourist” still tends to be pretty negative. Tourists are those people that invade your city at the most beautiful times of the year, make all the best local trails and restaurants more crowded, spend money, and then go home.
But what if tourists found ways to engage with the local environment, culture and people of the places they visited, with the goal of making a contribution and leaving the place even better than they found it? That’s the idea behind regenerative tourism, which is a fairly new trend in the tourism and hospitality business and goes a step beyond ecotourism and sustainable travel. Regenerative tourism discourages a passive, consumerist approach to travel in favor of one that’s about meeting people, learning new things, getting your hands dirty (figuratively but maybe also literally) and contributing something meaningful. Sound fun? Here’s how you can get involved with regenerative tourism when you’re visiting Bozeman (we can’t wait to meet you!).
Practicing Regenerative Tourism with the Be Good to Bozeman Initiative
The Be Good To Bozeman initiative calls on both visitors and community members to participate in keeping Bozeman beautiful and healthy in both the short and long term. The Bozeman Convention and Visitors Bureau has partnered with a variety of downtown businesses and nonprofits to spread the word about ways anyone can give back to the Bozeman community, whether they’re visiting for two days or have lived here for 30 years.
If you’re interested in the Be Good To Bozeman initiative, you can pick up a “Visitor Volunteer” packet at the Bozeman Chamber of Commerce. To learn more about Be Good To Bozeman, click here.
Here are six more ways to practice regenerative tourism in Bozeman.
1. Pick up trash
Although it’s one of the most basic and often mentioned ways to get started with regenerative tourism, picking up trash can truly make a positive impact on any place you visit, Bozeman included. Whether you’re out for a hike or strolling around downtown, carry a small trash bag with you and help to make the world a prettier place along the way.
2. Learn something
Regenerative tourism is all about engagement, and what better way to do that than to ask questions about the places, people and landscapes of the area you plan to visit? Bozeman has quite a unique and rich history, and there are many angles worth exploring. Visit the Museum of the Rockies for a glimpse into the cultural, paleontological, and astronomical history of the area, or try the Gallatin History Museum to learn more about the specific history of Bozeman and the Gallatin Valley. Whatever your area of interest, follow your curiosity to gain a deeper understanding of the city and its people.
3. Volunteer at a local organization
Volunteering is a way to meet new people, learn something about the challenges of the community, and give back⸺a triple whammy as far as regenerative tourism is concerned. Bozeman’s pay-what-you-can restaurant, Fork and Spoon, is one great place to volunteer, and the agency behind it, the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) also has many other awesome volunteering options. Whether you’re passionate about fighting hunger, supporting the arts, or anything else, a quick online search can help you find plenty of ways to contribute while in Bozeman.
4. Patronize the arts
Bozeman has an incredible art and performance community, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised if you choose to take in a local production while you’re here. Whether you love theater, dance, comedy, or the visual arts, don’t miss the chance to take in something that was created by this community.
5. Meet the locals
Bozeman has an incredible art and performance community, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised if you choose to take in a local production while you’re here. Whether you love theater, dance, comedy, or the visual arts, don’t miss the chance to take in something that was created by this community.
6. Stay a while
While we would forgive you if you only have a few days to visit Bozeman (because a little time in Bozeman is better than no time in Bozeman), one way to practice regenerative tourism is to spend enough time in an area to really get a feel for it and to take part in the community. Sign up for a class or workshop, enroll your child in a local theater or sports camp, or take advantage of a summer volunteering opportunity so you can really experience what Bozeman is all about. We have to warn you, though, when your time here is up, you may not want to go home.
For the most interesting, up-to-date info and stories on all that’s going on in Bozeman, check out our blog today!
If you enjoyed this blog, take a look at some of our other related articles:
- 4 Spots to Go Fly Fishing in Bozeman
- Bozeman Hikes: Hiking the "M"
- Planning Your Day Trip: A Family Adventure in Big Sky, Montana
In our never-ending quest to keep up with all things new in Bozeman, we have been producing content for years and can't possibly update every blog when new businesses open or existing businesses close. Please reference the publish date and do your own due diligence when making plans.