MEDIA RELEASE
8 October 2025

For immediate release

Celebrating Global Leadership in Regenerative Travel: Invitation to the Destination Think Forum 2025

Destination Hauraki Coromandel is honoured to have been invited to the Destination Think Forum 2025, which kicked off earlier this week in Queenstown, New Zealand. A gathering of global leaders in regenerative tourism, this event unites visionaries and change makers from around the world to shape the future of travel through innovation, sustainability, and community empowerment.

A Gathering of Global Leaders

The Destination Think Forum serves as a platform for thought leaders, destination managers, and sustainability advocates to engage in meaningful discussions and share groundbreaking ideas. 

Honouring the GOOD FOR YOUR SOUL - Kaitiaki Initiative

In alignment with the forum's commitment to sustainability, we are proud to highlight GOOD FOR YOUR SOUL - Kaitiaki. This initiative exemplifies the principles of the Tiaki Promise and kaitiakitanga, focusing on the well-being of both the environment and the communities that call it home. 

Recognition in World Tourism Day's '24 Hours of Travel Innovation'

We are also thrilled to have GOOD FOR YOUR SOUL - Kaitiaki recognised in Destination Think's '24 Hours of Travel Innovation' on World Tourism Day, September 27, 2025. This global event showcases 100 transformative travel innovations that are leading the way in responsible and regenerative tourism. As a featured innovation, the Kaitiaki initiative gains:

• Global Visibility: Exposure to an international audience of industry professionals and stakeholders.

• Acknowledgment of Impact: Recognition for its contributions to sustainable tourism practices.

• Showcasing Hauraki Coromandel: Highlighting our region as a place deeply connected to its environment, where visitors are encouraged to value and contribute to the protection of what makes it special.

An Invitation to Lead

Being invited to the Destination Think Forum is not just an honour; it is a call to action. It is an opportunity to be at the forefront of a movement that is reshaping the travel industry for the better. 

From Conversation to Collaboration

The GOOD FOR YOUR SOUL – Kaitiaki initiative has now moved beyond conversation into collective action. Season one has been completed with over 1,000 native trees planted across 17 sites in partnership with industry, community, council, iwi and the Department of Conservation. This marks the beginning of a long-term commitment to regeneration across Hauraki Coromandel, where collaboration is turning ideas into tangible outcomes. From talk to action, our region is showing what’s possible when guardianship is shared. And the journey has only just begun.

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Contact: Casey Owen
Destination Executive
Destination Hauraki Coromandel
casey@haurakicoromandel.com
GOOD FOR YOUR SOUL - Kaitiaki