Take your sustainability journey to new heights at Tourism Cares’ 2026 North American Meaningful Travel Summit in Asheville, North Carolina. Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains and inspired by Asheville’s resilience after Hurricane Helene, this three-day gathering brings together destinations, travel businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders to advance tourism that protects places, empowers people, and strengthens local economies. The program will include:

• Industry Education Sessions — Hear from association CEOs, travel leaders, and local changemakers as they discuss the industry's most pressing topics around sustainability, consumer demand, and responsible growth for travel and tourism.
• Immersive Community Experiences — Get outside the conference room walls and see impact in action throughout the Asheville community. Attendees can select from a variety of curated experiences, from hands-on volunteering and river adventures to a tour rooted in creativity and resilience. 
• Action Sessions — Dive deep into meaningful travel through practical workshops and resources focused on sustainable storytelling, commitment building, and community engagement. 
• Cross-Industry Dialogue — Network at formal and informal social gatherings while aligning with DMOs, operators, advisors, and local partners to build meaningful collaborations and relationships that blend purpose, product, and destination stewardship. 

The Summit creates space for honest cross-industry dialogue among DMOs, tour operators, travel advisors, and community partners, helping align tourism with resident priorities and long-term destination wellbeing. Join more than 150 professionals to learn, connect, and see meaningful travel in action—together ensuring communities and our industry thrive for generations to come.

Learn more and register: tourismcares.org/asheville-summit.