Monday - Wednesday
16 - 18 June 2025
The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre (View on Google Maps)
Outdoor Recreation as a Catalyst for Regenerative Tourism: Harnessing outdoor recreation to renew, restore and regenerate tourism.
Outdoor Recreation as a Catalyst for Regenerative Tourism:
Harnessing outdoor recreation to renew, restore and regenerate tourism.
Outdoor recreation has a vital role to play in regenerative tourism across these Isles. This conference builds on the ORN Action Plan 2022-2025, which called for cross-sector collaboration on sustainable tourism principles. Since then, the conversation has shifted from sustainability to regeneration—actively restoring landscapes, strengthening communities, and enhancing visitor experiences.
The Outdoor Recreation Network (ORN) has opened up booking for the 2025 conference ‘Outdoor Recreation as a Catalyst for Regenerative Tourism’ taking place from the 16th – 18th June 2025 at The Sill in Northumberland National Park.
Outdoor recreation has a vital role to play in regenerative tourism across these Isles. This conference builds on the ORN Action Plan 2022-2025, which called for cross-sector collaboration on sustainable tourism principles. Since then, the conversation has shifted to include from sustainability to regeneration – actively restoring landscapes, strengthening communities, and enhancing visitor experiences.
This two-day event will bring the outdoor recreation and tourism sectors together to explore how outdoor recreation can drive regenerative tourism and establish key principles and best practices. It aligns with themes in the new ORN Action Plan 2025-2028, including Protecting Nature and Responsible Access, Climate Impact Management, Maximising Impact with Limited Resources, Inclusion and Diversity, and Sustainable Development.
Watch-on-demand Pre Conference Webinar
On Thursday 15th May ORN hosted a pre conference webinar that well and truly lay the groundwork for the key themes and issues being explored at the upcoming conference. Over 70 people registered to attend the webinar and we hope if you didn’t get the chance to attend you will enjoy watching it back on-demand using the links provided.
As the tourism and hospitality sectors navigate unprecedented change — from shifting demographics and technology to the rising demand for sustainability — regenerative tourism is emerging as a bold and necessary evolution. But what exactly is regenerative tourism, and why does it matter? For the outdoor recreation sector, it’s especially important: outdoor spaces are where the principles of regeneration come to life — restoring landscapes, strengthening local communities, and creating meaningful, low-impact visitor experiences. By understanding regenerative tourism, the sector can help lead the way in shaping a more resilient and responsible future for both people and nature.
This webinar led by experts from the University of Sunderland and Munster Technological University:
* Introduced the fundamentals of regenerative tourism — what it means to move beyond sustainability to actively improving destinations, communities, and ecosystems.
* Explored key drivers shaping today’s tourism landscape, from eco-conscious travellers to new business models.
* Shared practical examples of how businesses and communities are embracing regenerative practices.
* Highlighted tools, resources, and training opportunities to help organisations and practitioners start their regenerative journey.
Director of Research Degrees in the School of Events, Tourism and Hospitality Management |Leeds Beckett University
Project Officer |Forestry England
Founder |Girls on Hills
Economic Infrastructure Development Specialist, Place & Enterprise Team |South of Scotland Enterprise
Professor of Human Geography |Aberystwyth University
Tourism Officer |Northumberland National Park Authority
Included within the 'Member - Access all areas' ticket or as an add on, this is a fantastic opportunity on Monday 16th June for members to network and share updates. Included is a 2 course meal.
The winners for 2025 Awards will be announced at the ORN Conference at a special celebration event on Tuesday 17th June. Building on the success of last year’s awards, the 2025 ORN Success Awards will celebrate trailblazing projects that are tackling key challenges in outdoor recreation - aligned with the ORN Action Plan (2025-2028). This event is included in the ticket price and includes a 2 course meal.
ORN has booked exclusive use of the Youth Hostel Associations newly refurbished Hostel at the Sill. This will be available for you to book as part of your conference ticket. Click on the link below to read the YHA's Access Statement.
Private en-suite rooms include 1 bunk bed . £223 for 2 nights accommodation with breakfast. It is possible to add a second person into this room if you wish to do so for £20 extra.
These shared rooms comprise of two bunk beds. Two people per room of the same gender. Some rooms are en-suite. £111.50pp for 2 nights accommodation with breakfast. You will be given the option to choose who you share with when booking opens or be randomly assigned.
These are en-suite rooms that includes a single bunk with a double bed underneath and a single bed. The en-suite bathroom has a wheel-in shower fitted with grab rails and fold-down shower seat. Cost of this room is £223 (2 nights B&B). It is possible to add a support worker to this room for an additional £20 (2 nights B&B).
Non Member Ticket Options
These ticket options are from employees of organisations that are not currently members of the Outdoor Recreation Network (ORN).
ORN Member Ticket Options
These ticket options are from employees of organisations that are currently members of the Outdoor Recreation Network (ORN).
The primary contact for each member organisation has been emailed with instructions on how to claim their free conference tickets. You can find out who your organisation’s primary contact is by checking the Current Member listings linked below.
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