2026 North American Meaningful Travel Summit
April 14-16, 2026 | Asheville, North Carolina
Take your sustainability journey to new heights! This three-day gathering will help you advance your sustainability goals through education, connections, and interactive learning – all set in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Asheville was chosen as the host of the 2026 Summit for its deep commitment to environmental responsibility and social impact, as well as its inspiring story of resilience, using tourism as a catalyst for long-term recovery after Hurricane Helene in 2024.
Over the course of the Summit, you’ll see meaningful travel in action: learning best practices, connecting with peers, and immersing yourself in the Asheville community by meeting small businesses making a positive impact through tourism, sampling local food and drinks, and experiencing Asheville’s creative culture and natural beauty firsthand.
Three Days. One Shared Purpose.
Join more than 150 travel and tourism leaders for an immersive Summit that delivers actionable strategies, authentic connections, and meaningful impact you can bring back to your organization. Over three transformative days, you will:
Engage in sustainable tourism education sessions featuring local tourism businesses, regional organizations, and industry experts.
Take part in hands-on community experiences, tours, and volunteering, showcasing Asheville’s diverse initiatives—ranging from its vibrant cultures and small businesses to its natural heritage and vast ecosystems
Connect with like-minded professionals across every sector of travel and tourism.
Pricing
Book in 2025 and save 25%!
Secure your spot and register by December 31, 2025, and save 25% off your registration fee.
$449 for Tourism Cares Members
$549 for Tourism Cares Non-members
Special Locals Pass: Asheville-area residents and businesses have the opportunity to purchase a one-day pass for $150 to attend our Education Day and Networking Reception on Tuesday, April 14.
Donate to the Always Asheville Fund: Upon checkout, attendees have the opportunity to make an additional donation to Explore Asheville’s “Always Asheville” grant fund, which helps small, independent travel and hospitality businesses throughout the Asheville area recover from the impacts and aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
Who Should Attend the Summit?
This Summit is designed for all travel and tourism professionals across all sectors who are committed to using travel as a force for good, including:
Destination marketing organizations (DMOs) and tourism boards
Tour operators, travel advisors, and product developers
Hotels, attractions, and supplier partners
Non-profits and community leaders
Corporate sustainability and impact officers
Whether you’re just starting your sustainability journey or already leading the way, the North American Meaningful Travel Summit has something for everyone. Meaningful travel is everyone’s responsibility, and our sessions and experiences are designed to be relevant, inspiring, and inclusive for all.
Summit Agenda*
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Morning: Start your Summit experience with an engaging Tourism Cares Info Session and then dive into an inspiring morning education sessions panel over coffee.
Lunch: Refuel at lunch on your own while exploring Asheville’s local flavors
Afternoon: Return for afternoon sessions and workshops packed with actionable insights on sustainable tourism.
Evening: Connect with peers at our lively evening Welcome Reception and Impact Partner Marketplace — complete with local appetizers and drinks — before heading out to enjoy Asheville’s vibrant food scene during our Dine Around.
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Morning: Begin the day by fueling connections over coffee and breakfast before heading into immersive Community Experience Day activities, complete with a local lunch.
Afternoon: After a full day of learning in the field, unwind at an afternoon social with fellow attendees.
Evening: The evening is yours to explore Asheville’s vibrant food, music, and culture at your own pace.
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Morning: Close the Summit by gathering for a Commitment Breakfast over coffee and conversation, reflecting on the connections and ideas you’ll take forward.
Optional: Choose from a variety of Meaningful Travel Map tours or optional activities (at attendee expense) to experience Asheville’s impact partners firsthand before departures.
*Subject to change
Lodging
Tourism Cares is offering an official room block at:
Embassy Suites by Hilton Asheville Downtown
192 Haywood Street
Asheville, North Carolina 28801
Click the link below to book your discounted room, or call (828) 407-0422 and use the code CES919.
Sponsorship Opportunities
The Tourism Cares North American Meaningful Travel Summit is made possible through the generous support of its sponsors to help further Tourism Cares’ mission and the Summit’s impact on Asheville. Please contact Carrie Hodgen, Director of Community Development, for additional information on Summit sponsorships.
Thank You to Our Host & Sponsors:
Explore Our Host Destination
A vibrant blend of styles and ideas, where creativity flows as freely as the seasons change, Asheville, North Carolina, is deeply rooted in community, committed to sustainability, and inspired by the call to protect our climate. Asheville is ever-evolving, resilient, and innovative.
Join us in supporting and exploring our host community.
Learn more by visiting Explore Asheville and check out the partners featured below on the Meaningful Travel Map of Asheville.
This program is helping to further the following Sustainable Development Goals:
SPOTLIGHT: THE PEOPLE + PLACES OF TOURISM CARES
More to Love | Meaningful Travel Map Partner
More To Love is Asheville’s only locally owned shop devoted exclusively to plus-size fashion, offering a curated collection of new and like-new clothing in sizes 12+. Every purchase supports local consignors, pays them 35–40%, and helps keep fashion dollars circulating in the community. We celebrate and empower plus-size bodies while promoting environmental and economic sustainability—both in-store and online.