This year, Tourism Cares, a leading non-profit dedicated to advancing sustainability within the travel industry, is taking its beloved North American Meaningful Travel Summit on the road with the announcement of the Meaningful Travel Roadshow, a new, multi-destination event series making stops in Miami, Pittsburgh and Galveston throughout 2025. According to Tourism Cares, the choice to expand the summit to include three U.S. cities versus one was made in an effort to “broaden the industry’s understanding of sustainable tourism” while positively impacting more local communities in the process. The Meaningful Travel Roadshow will visit Miami, Florida from May 15-16; Pittsburgh, PA on October 7 and Galveston, Texas on November 14.
A mix of educational sessions and workshops, peer-to-peer learning and immersive tours and experiences, attendees of the Meaningful Travel Roadshow can expect to learn from local partners who are dedicated to creating positive change in their communities as well as the broader travel industry as a whole. Tourism Cares says that each Roadshow host city has a unique perspective to share, demonstrating to participants how responsible travel practices can boost local economies, cultures and environments.
“We are excited to expand our traditional North American Meaningful Travel Summit to a roadshow format and provide more ways for travel professionals to learn about and act on important issues around sustainability, such as cultural preservation, climate change, social equity, and destination stewardship,” said Greg Takehara, CEO of Tourism Cares. “It is more important than ever for travel and tourism businesses to step up and act as leaders in sustainability to help ensure that the people and places of travel thrive. The Meaningful Travel Roadshow provides a pathway for conversation, learning, and understanding from people of all backgrounds and perspectives with a united goal of using travel as a force for good.”
According to Tourism Cares, the destination themes for the Meaningful Travel Roadshow are:
Greater Miami: A Coastal Destination at the Crossroads of Culture and Conservation | May 15 - 16
“Attendees will experience how Greater Miami’s vibrant cultural hub balances environmental responsibility with urban growth, from initiatives to restore marine ecosystems to community projects that tackle food waste and urban renewal,” said Tourism Cares. Regarding Greater Miami’s thoughts on the event, David Whitaker, president and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau said: “The Meaningful Travel Roadshow provides a forum for our destination to showcase the motivation of partners in Greater Miami to advance sustainable tourism goals and give travelers even more reasons to care about the impact they can make on the communities they visit.”
Pittsburgh: Reinvention Through Sustainability | October 6
“Learning from Pittsburgh’s transformation, attendees will observe how the travel and tourism industry actively drives and thrives on urban revitalization, fostering stronger community connections and transforming industrial spaces into vibrant destinations,” said Tourism Cares. Regarding Visit PITTSBURGH’s thoughts, Jerad Bachar, president and CEO of the organization said: "Pittsburgh is on the brink of a boisterous movement, and our partnership with Tourism Cares allows us to showcase our vibrant community, rich history, and commitment to sustainable tourism, all while connecting with like-minded travel professionals who are passionate about making a positive impact.”
Galveston: History Meets Habitat on the Gulf Coast | November 14
“Delve into how the travel and tourism industry can honor cultural legacies while championing environmental stewardship. Attendees will explore how community-driven projects transform public spaces into narratives of resilience and conservation, creating destinations that are both culturally enriching and ecologically sustainable,” said Tourism Cares. Regarding Visit Galveston’s thoughts, Tony Lyle, executive director for the DMO said: “Galveston Island has historic homes, first-class arts and attractions, and a thriving, diverse ecosystem that live in harmony on a 32-mile-long barrier island. Sustainability is key to our continued success, and what we learn through Tourism Cares helps to ensure our island’s harmony remains intact for generations to come.”
“Our Meaningful Travel programs are different in that we first inspire attendees by engaging them in our education sessions with local changemakers and organizations, and then follow up by activating them through meaningful experiences in the community,” said Takehara. “By going outside of the conference walls, participants can see first-hand how sustainable tourism creates a more authentic experience for visitors while benefiting local people and places.”
During their visit to each prospective host city, Tourism Cares recommends utilizing its Meaningful Travel Map, a tool showcasing vetted, sustainable organizations, businesses and nonprofits. “We appreciate Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Visit PITTSBURGH, and Visit Galveston for stepping forward to showcase their communities and presenting examples of destination stewardship at its finest,” said Takehara.
Those interested in registering for the 2025 Meaningful Travel Roadshow can visit the Tourism Cares website to do so here.
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