Global Leaders to Gather in Victoria, Canada for 2026 IMPACT Summit on Sustainable Travel and Tourism, Addressing Critical Environmental and Social Challenges

From January 25 to 28, the Victoria Conference Centre will host the highly anticipated 2026 IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism Summit. Recognised as one of Canada’s premier forums for sustainable and regenerative tourism, the summit brings together global leaders for forward-thinking discussions on the most pressing environmental, social, and cultural issues confronting the tourism industry.

A Platform for Sustainable Collaboration

Since its inception in 2016, the IMPACT Summit has become a vital platform for collaboration among destination marketing organisations, tourism operators, government officials, Indigenous leaders, and academic experts. With a collective focus on sustainability, the event has grown to welcome over 1,000 attendees, hosting more than 100 thought leaders in the tourism and sustainability sectors. The summit’s reputation for fostering positive change within the tourism industry has made it an essential gathering for those committed to advancing sustainable practices on a global scale.

This year, the 2026 summit promises to tackle pressing challenges affecting the global tourism sector, offering valuable insights on how the industry can align with the evolving demands for environmental conservation and community empowerment.

Key Topics for Discussion

The upcoming summit will be centred around a range of important topics that directly influence the future of tourism. Among the key themes are the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in tourism, food security, sovereignty, and critical resource management. Other critical discussions will focus on the carrying capacity of tourist destinations and various case studies that demonstrate how sustainability can be integrated into the tourism experience.

With AI playing an increasingly vital role in tourism, attendees will explore how this technology can contribute to making tourism more sustainable. From enhancing resource efficiency to personalising traveller experiences, AI’s potential to shape the future of tourism is immense, and the summit provides the ideal platform to explore its various applications.

Additionally, food security and sovereignty will be high on the agenda, as these topics intersect with both environmental concerns and the well-being of local communities. The role of tourism in supporting sustainable agriculture and ensuring that food systems are resilient to climate change will be explored through case studies and collaborative discussions.

One of the summit’s core topics will also address the carrying capacity of tourist destinations. This will involve examining how local communities and tourism operators can manage the volume of visitors without compromising the quality of the destination’s environment or local culture.

Building a Sustainable Future for Tourism

The 2026 IMPACT Summit comes at a critical time for the tourism industry. With an increasing global demand for travel, there is a growing need to adopt sustainable tourism practices that not only reduce the ecological footprint of travel but also ensure that tourism benefits local communities in a responsible and equitable way.

Throughout the summit, attendees will engage in workshops, panel discussions, and case study presentations designed to equip participants with actionable insights on how to implement sustainability measures in their respective tourism sectors. The emphasis on regenerative tourism, which focuses on restoring and revitalising ecosystems and communities, will be particularly prominent. The summit will explore how tourism businesses can adopt regenerative practices that not only protect the environment but also contribute to the social and cultural well-being of local communities.

An Inclusive and Diverse Gathering

The IMPACT Summit continues to be an inclusive gathering, with participation from various stakeholders within the tourism ecosystem. It highlights the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing between government agencies, industry leaders, and Indigenous representatives. Through this collective effort, the summit aims to create meaningful change that benefits both the tourism sector and the communities it affects.

The inclusion of Indigenous leaders in the conference is particularly significant, as many Indigenous communities are on the frontline of sustainable tourism practices. Their traditional knowledge of the land, culture, and sustainable resource management offers valuable insights that can help shape the future of the global tourism industry.

How to Participate in the 2026 IMPACT Summit

As preparations for the 2026 IMPACT Summit move forward, single passes are now available for purchase, allowing individuals to participate in the event. Group registrations can also be arranged by reaching out to the summit’s official registration team. The summit provides a unique opportunity for tourism professionals, government representatives, and sustainability advocates to network, collaborate, and share best practices that will shape the future of tourism.

The event is expected to draw attendees from all corners of the globe, eager to learn from one another and contribute to the global conversation on sustainable travel. As the tourism industry grapples with the need for innovation and environmental responsibility, the summit serves as an important gathering that will drive the conversation forward.

A Vision for a Sustainable Tourism Future

The 2026 IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism Summit is a critical milestone in the evolution of the global tourism industry. By focusing on pressing issues like sustainable resource management, artificial intelligence in tourism, and food sovereignty, the event will inspire stakeholders to take action. As more destinations embrace sustainable tourism, Victoria’s role as host of this influential summit highlights Canada’s leadership in promoting regenerative practices in the travel and tourism industry.

For those who want to be a part of this transformative event, registering for the summit is the first step towards joining the global movement shaping the future of sustainable tourism.