What Is Regenerative Tourism?
Regenerative tourism is a travel approach focused on leaving places better than we find them. It goes beyond sustainable tourism’s goal of reducing harm and instead aims to actively restore and strengthen local ecosystems, cultures, and economies.
At Making Tracks, regenerative tourism guides how we live, work, and welcome guests. There are four key pillars of regenerative tourism, and this is how we put them into practice.
Sustainability
At the heart of what we do is a deep commitment to sustainability and respect for the environment. We believe the simplest and most sustainable choice we can make is to use what already exists. The house was once a forgotten building, the cabins were salvaged and given a new life, and much of our furniture has been thoughtfully sourced from second-hand shops.
We do not believe sustainability has to be expensive or involve buying “fancy” green products. Before purchasing anything new, we always ask whether it can be repaired, reused in another way, or replaced with a pre-loved alternative. By choosing reuse over new, we reduce waste, lower our environmental impact, and create a more honest and sustainable space for both our guests and the local community.
Culture
Keeping our pocket of Ireland alive is something we are deeply passionate about — our people, our language, our food, and our history. We are proud to keep our horse working and to preserve the traditional skills of horse driving, harness-making, and the craftsmanship involved in this work.
Our horse loves their work; it gives them purpose, stimulation, and routine. These living traditions are part of our cultural heritage and keeping them alive is central to our approach to regenerative tourism. In the future, we hope to host workshops and events focused on the Irish language and traditional skills such as thatching, horse driving, and bogland knowledge.
Community
Our project works closely with the local community, allowing visitors to connect with local people, nature, and heritage. This part of County Laois relies heavily on farming and out-of-county work for employment, and rural opportunities can be limited.
The introduction of our farmhouse stays, glamping cabins, and wagon holidays creates a positive knock-on effect for other local businesses. When guests stay with us, they support local shops, pubs, taxis, restaurants, and services, helping to keep rural communities active and thriving.
Economy
The economic benefits of our project are already visible. Over the past two years, three hundred guests have stayed with us, bringing increased footfall to the area. This has had a direct impact on local taxis, shops, pubs, restaurants, and farriers.
With the addition of our cabins and house, we expect this positive impact to grow further, strengthening the local rural economy and supporting nearby tourist attractions, businesses, and services.
Why Regenerative Tourism Matters
Choosing Making Tracks is a more thoughtful way to travel. With fewer resources, less waste, and a deeper connection to nature and place, regenerative tourism in Ireland offers an alternative to traditional holidays that gives back rather than takes away.
By staying with us, you are supporting responsible travel, protecting the environment, sustaining local culture, and helping ensure that this corner of the Irish countryside continues to thrive — for visitors, locals, and future generations alike.
