2026 North American Meaningful Travel Summit
April 14-16, 2026 | Asheville, North Carolina
Build the knowledge, relationships, and perspective needed to lead on sustainability in today’s travel industry. This three-day Summit is designed for travel professionals seeking practical ways to integrate sustainability, community impact, and resilience into their business models, products, and partnerships.
Through focused education, peer exchange, and hands-on learning, attendees will explore how meaningful travel is being applied across destinations and organizations, and how those approaches translate into stronger performance, credibility, and long-term value. The Summit brings together industry leaders who are committed to moving sustainability beyond intention and into implementation.
Hosted in Asheville, North Carolina, the 2026 North American Meaningful Travel Summit uses the destination as a living case study. Asheville’s commitment to environmental responsibility, social impact, and recovery following Hurricane Helene offers timely insights into how tourism can support communities while remaining commercially viable. From engaging with local enterprises to experiencing trade-ready impact in action, the learning is designed to inform and strengthen your work — wherever you sit in the industry.
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.
$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.
Pricing
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.
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.
Hotel is conveniently located within walking distance of walkable event venues.
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.
Sponsorship Opportunities
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.