Experience in regenerative tourism development in the United Arab Emirates and implications for Vietnam

Climate change, biodiversity loss, and growing pressure on natural resources have created a need to move beyond sustainable tourism toward regenerative tourism, which seeks to generate net-positive outcomes for ecosystems and communities. This study examines the experience of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through a qualitative case-study approach, a literature review, and content analysis of strategies, standards, governance programs, and restoration projects. The findings show that the UAE has made notable progress in integrating tourism with green growth and net-zero targets; institutionalizing sustainability through standards, certification, and measurement tools; investing in green infrastructure, digital data, and nature-based solutions; and mobilizing public-private partnerships. However, the UAE has not yet established a unified regenerative tourism model, and its net-positive impacts still require further verification. The study derives several implications for Vietnam concerning institutional development, green data, destination governance, and co-creation.